The Health Dangers of Mold are Different for Each Person

When people see any type of mold growing in their home, only one concern usually comes into mind right away: Is it going to make me or any of my family members sick? The health dangers of mold will widely differ from person to person and will depend on many factors, such as length of exposure, type of toxin that is produced and sensitivity level.

It can be difficult to predict the ill effects of exposure to mold on every person because there are too many variables involved to make a general prognosis. However, the most common indicators of illness that are often associated with it are allergy symptoms, which can include any of the following:

Sneezing
Nasal and sinus congestion
Cough/sore throat
Chest tightness
Breathing difficulty or dyspnea
Worsening of asthma or eczema symptoms
Nosebleed or epistaxis
Upper respiratory tract infections
Headache
Light sensitivity
Fatigue and weakness
Skin irritation, appearance of red, itchy rashes
Eye irritation, redness, itchiness, watery eyes

Who are most affected by mold?

Mold exposure can be dangerous to just about anyone, but there are some individuals who are more sensitive than others and are more likely to develop more serious symptoms. 

It is best for these groups of people to stay away from mold: 

Newborn babies and children
Elderly people
Individuals with pre-existing skin condition or skin infection, such as eczema or psoriasis
Individuals with respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma or COPD
Immunocompromised patients or those with a weakened immune system and unable to fight infection, such as those with HIV or AIDs, cancer or chronic inflammatory conditions

How does mold affect your health?

There are countless species of mold that exist both indoors and outdoors and not all of them are capable of causing illness. There are some types of mold that  can release poisonous substances called mycotoxins which have toxic effects. 

These toxins are fat-soluble and can easily be absorbed in the intestinal lining, airways, and skin and cause disease and death in humans and other animals even in low concentrations.

The health dangers of mold that produce mycotoxins are often more severe, and can even be life-threatening. These include:

Cancer 
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis or HP
Pulmonary fibrosis or PF
Lung injury
Pulmonary hemosiderosis or PH
Toxicity in the nervous system
Blood disorders
Immune system disorders
Liver toxicity
Endocrine toxicity 
Toxicity in the kidneys
Gastrointestinal and/or cardiac conditions

Is it mold causing health problems or something else?

Mold requires three things to grow: 

Moisture -  Water and dampness that can come from flooding, leaky pipes and condensation in windows and walls, and other water problems inside the home. 

Food source - Materials that molds love to feed and grow on include porous materials like cotton, leather, wood, paper products, fabric, sponges, and cork and some non-porous materials like glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood.

Optimum temperatures -  Mold can thrive in conditions that are too sunny, hot, cold, dry or wet for mold to grow.

These three conditions create an ideal damp indoor environment for active mold growth. A lot of things happen within the confines of this damp environment, which may give rise to:

Bacteria
Dust mites
Protein by-products of bacteria and molds
Beta glucans or structural components of cell walls in fungi resulting from the breakdown of mold and bacteria
Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) (which produces the musty odor associated with mold)
Other chemicals and odorless gases produced by mold

Thus, the health problems that are oftentimes attributed to mold may not in fact be caused by mold itself. Some illness may be due to bacteria or other substances and microorganisms that may develop within the moldy environment that is why getting Mold Removal Services in Toronto is very important.

The health dangers of mold are very real to some people. If you or any family members are showing symptoms of what you suspect may be the effects of mold exposure, it is best to seek medical attention immediately to get a correct diagnosis of all your symptoms. 

What Should You Do When You Find Indoor Mold?

Indoor mold is a common problem for many homes and buildings. Homeowners and those who own or manage property spend hundreds and thousands of dollars in mold remediation to remove mold and prevent contamination.

Molds grow indoors in areas where there is excessive moisture and high humidity. Storm surges, water leaks from the roof, walls, floors and broken water pipes, poor ventilation and many other activities can cause moisture problems that can lead to indoor mold growth. 

So what should you do when you find mold growing inside your home or building? 

Don’t panic!

Yes, the first thing to do is not panic. We’ve heard a lot of alarming information in the news and internet  about actual or potential problems and worrying health risks with regards to mold, particularly toxic mold or black mold. So naturally, discovering mold inside your home can create feelings  of fear, panic and confusion. However, the presence of mold does not necessarily mean that it is toxic or poisonous. All mold has the potential to produce toxins, but at the same time not all are dangerous. What you want to prevent is for the amount of mold spores in the air to reach high levels as long term exposure to excessive amounts can lead to adverse health effects. That is why when you see mold growing indoors, you have to take action quickly to remove it and prevent it from becoming a major problem.

Size it up

Examine it to see if what you suspect is mold. Any mold that is visible to the eye can come in many colors, like blue green, bluish, yellowish, greyish, black, white or other shades of these colors.Discoloration, spotting on surfaces and irregular stains may be an indication of mold growth. Peeling, curling or any damage to surfaces can also be a sign that the material or area has been infested by the mold.

Estimate or measure the area that the mold is covering. If the total area affected is less than 10 square feet, then you have as small mold problem. If the area is more than10 square feet, it is considered a large mold problem but may be handled with care. And, if the area is covering  more than 100 square feet, then you have a major contamination problem that is large enough to be harmful.

Don’t touch!

If you are not sure if it is mold, then do not touch it.  If you have a small mold problem but do not know how to properly handle mold, then do not attempt to disturb the affected areas or materials in any way. Ask the help of a mold professional if this is the case. If you are very confident that you can handle the cleanup of a relatively small area of mold, then make sure that you use personal protective equipment to avoid exposing yourself to spores. Also make sure that you take steps to prevent mold spores from scattering and spreading to other areas. However, if mold covers more than 10 square feet, it is highly recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified mold specialist without delay.

Once air quality is restored to normal levels, you need to monitor for any more mold that may grow back in the same areas or sprout up in other areas of the home or building. Always be on the lookout for any suspicious moldy odors,  for water stains and discoloration on the walls, floors and ceiling, and any structural damage as these may be danger signs that point to a potential indoor mold problem.