Sunday, July 23, 2017

Mold and Your Health


Exposure to airborne mold spores can occur through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact, and can result in symptoms including dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, nose bleeds, cold and flu symptoms, headache, general malaise and fever.
Molds are organized into three groups according to human responses: Allergenic, Pathogenic and Toxigenic.
  • Allergenic Molds - Allergenic molds do not usually produce life-threatening health effects and are most likely to affect those with allergies. The body's responses to allergenic mold tend to be relatively mild, depending on individual sensitivities and allergies. Typical symptoms include:
    • Scratchy, Sore or Itchy Throat
    • Nasal Congestion
    • Runny Nose
    • Sneezing
    • Coughing and Wheezing
    • Shortness of Breath/Breathing Difficulties
    • Asthma Flares
    • Itchy or Watery Eyes
    • Sensitive or Itchy Skin
    • Skin Rash
    These can lead to uncomfortable living situations for some if concentrations are present in the air or on surfaces.
  • Pathogenic Molds - Pathogenic molds usually produce some type of infection. They can cause serious health effects in persons with suppressed immune systems. Healthy people can usually resist infection by these organisms. However, in some cases, high exposure can cause hypersensitivity and infection with those who are seemingly healthy.
  • Toxigenic Molds - While a toxic mold is living and growing, toxic metabolites called mycotoxins are produced. Exposure to this chemical compound by other organisms can be harmful. The health effects of  mycotoxin exposure to humans can vary, ranging from short-term bodily irritation and allergenic reaction to lung infection, a weakened immune system, cancer or even death. Initial awareness of adverse health effects from exposure to  mycotoxins was raised by a mid-1990's study from Cleveland, Ohio, involving infants who had died from sudden and unexplained pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeding of the lungs). Upon investigation, researchers found that the infants resided in homes with high levels of the mold Stachybotrysatra were prone to serious health effects. Therefore, when the presence of  toxigenic mold is suspected within a property, inspection and testing is advised. Furthermore, when such mold and/or mycotoxins are identified, remedial action is highly recommended.
Mold and health concerns go hand in hand. The medical and legal communities are now taking mold contamination very seriously. There are a number of documented cases of health effects and physical problems resulting from indoor exposure to mold and mold spores. Mold related illnesses can result from high level/short-term exposures and lower level/long-term exposures. The most common health effects or symptoms reported from exposure to indoor mold environments are a chronic clearing of the throat, runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion and aggravation of asthma — allergic reactions similar to cat allergies — headache and fatigue. Mold related health effects are often reported as feeling like you have a cold but you don't. Eventually it may feel like you have the flu but you don't. Many of our customers report feeling better when they leave their home for a week or more. Once they arrive back within a day or so they are ill again.
With so much overwhelming evidence to support the dangers of exposure to mold, mold testing is the first step in properly assessing whether an abnormal or elevated mold condition exists.

New Day Homes specializes in Mold Inspections in the Magnolia Texas area  area.

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