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