Page 42 - August Banner 2018_Neat
P. 42
Page 42 August 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
AS K Mold and Your Health
Lo by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic
Dr . & Nutritional Healing Center
Mold seems to be everywhere, is available. The review concludes leaky roofs, windows, and pipes; Mold Prevention Tips
and exposure to damp and moldy that the most important effects are thoroughly cleaning and drying out Keep humidity levels as low
environments may cause a variety of increased prevalence of respiratory furniture, carpets, and drywall after as you can—no higher than 50
health effects or none at all. symptoms, allergies and asthma, flooding; and ventilating shower, percent—all day long. An air-
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine as well as disturbance of the laundry, and cooking areas. conditioner or dehumidifier will help
(IOM) found there was sufficient immunological system. The most If mold is growing in your home, you keep the level low. Bear in mind
evidence to link indoor exposure important means for avoiding you need to clean up the mold and that humidity levels change over
to mold with upper respiratory adverse health effects is the fix the moisture problem. Many the course of a day, with changes
tract symptoms, coughing, and prevention (or minimization) of molds can be removed from hard in the moisture in the air and the
wheezing in otherwise healthy persistent dampness and microbial surfaces with commercial products, air temperature, so you will need to
people. There was also a link with growth on interior surfaces. Selected soap and water, or a bleach check the humidity levels more than
asthma symptoms in people with interventions that improve housing solution of no more than one cup once a day.
asthma and with hypersensitivity conditions can reduce morbidity of household laundry bleach in one Be sure your home has enough
pneumonitis in individuals from asthma and respiratory gallon of water. ventilation. Use exhaust fans, which
susceptible to that immune- allergies, but more research is Mold growth, which often looks vent outside your home in the
mediated condition. For sensitive needed. like spots, can be many different kitchen and bathroom. Make sure
people, mold exposure can cause colors, and can smell musty. If you your clothes dryer vents outside
nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, Mold and Your Home can see or smell mold, a health risk your home.
coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, Mold is found inside and outside may be present. You do not need to Fix any leaks in your home’s
and, in some cases, skin irritation. the home. Mold can enter your know the type of mold growing in roof, walls, or plumbing, so mold
People with mold allergies may have home through open doorways, your home. No matter what type of does not have moisture to grow.
more severe reactions. Immune- windows, vents, and heating and air- mold is present, you should remove Clean up and dry out your home
compromised people and people conditioning systems. Mold in the it. The effect of mold on people thoroughly and quickly (within
with chronic lung illnesses—such air outside can also attach itself to can vary greatly, depending on the 24–48 hours) after flooding.
as obstructive lung disease—may clothing, shoes, bags, and pets, and amount or type of mold, so you want Add mold inhibitors to paints
get serious infections in their lungs can be carried indoors. to get rid of it. Also, good sampling before painting.
when exposed to mold. These people Mold will grow in places with for mold can be expensive, and Clean bathrooms with mold-
should stay away from areas that are a lot of moisture, such as around standards for judging what is and killing products.
likely to have mold, such as compost leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, what is not an acceptable quantity Remove or replace carpets and
piles, cut grass, and wooded areas. or where there has been flooding. of mold have not been set. The best upholstery that have been soaked
In 2009, the World Health Mold grows well on paper products, practice is to remove the mold and and cannot be dried promptly.
Organization (WHO) issued cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood work to prevent future growth. Consider not using carpet in
additional guidance. The WHO products. Mold can also grow in rooms or areas like bathrooms or
Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, If You Choose to Use Bleach to basements that may have a lot of
Dampness and Mold [PDF – 2.65 drywall, carpet, fabric, and Clean Up Mold moisture.
MB]; Microbial pollution is a key upholstery. Never mix bleach with ammonia
element of indoor air pollution; or other household cleaners. Mixing Do You Think You Have Been
caused by hundreds of species of You Can Control Mold bleach with ammonia or other Exposed To Mold?
bacteria and fungi, in particular You can control mold growth cleaning products will produce Do you think you have been
filamentous fungi (mold), growing inside your home by controlling dangerous, toxic fumes. Open exposed to mold, or that your
indoors when sufficient moisture humidity levels; promptly fixing windows and doors to provide fresh asthma, lung issues, or stuffiness is
air. Wear non-porous gloves and related to mold toxicity? Dr. Lo uses
protective eyewear. Always follow a non-invasive way of analyzing the
the manufacturer’s instructions body to determine the underlying
when using bleach or any other causes of ill or non-optimum health.
cleaning product. Call the office at 240-651-1650 to
If the area to be cleaned is more find out more or come to one of the
than ten square feet, consult the free seminars held at the office on
U.S. Environmental Protection rotating Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Agency (EPA) guide, titled: The office is located in Frederick.
Mold Remediation in Schools Check out the website at www.
and Commercial Buildings. You doctorlo.com.
can get it by going to the EPA
website at www.epa.gov/mold/ *Resource for article was the US
mold-remediation-schools-and- Centers for Disease Control and
commercial-buildings-guide. Prevention (CDC).
We Invite You to Share Your Good News!
news@thecatoctinbanner.com • Message Line 240-288-0108 • Publisher’s Line 301-271-1050 • Fax 301-447-2946
