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Inhalation Health Effects of Mold

If your home has high humidity, you have recently had water damage, or you have excess moisture in any area of your home, you may have mildew and mold problems, which can ultimately lead to health problems if not dealt with. Within 24 hours of any moisture accumulating onto an area (and not evaporating), such as from a leaky pipe or a hot and humid basement, mold spores begin to grow and can easily migrate onto other surfaces as well as float in the air, causing health issues in humans and animals.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.

Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.

Unfortunately mold isn’t the only consequence of a damp area. The experts at the National Capital Poison Center (NCPC) list other things homeowners need to watch out for when things get wet:

  • bacteria
  • dust mites
  • break-down products of bacteria and molds, such as proteins, cell-wall particles (glucans) and volatile organic compounds (the actual cause of the musty odor associated with mold)
  • airborne chemicals, gasses, and particulate matter caused by destruction of materials by growing molds

And let’s not forget about Sassy and Fido! There are health repercussions for them as well. A doctor with PetMD lists the following signs that your pet has been poisoned by mold:

  • According to Coates, problems with mold in pets fall into three categories: inhalation, ingestion, and allergic reactions.
  • Inhaling mold can cause respiratory distress (breathing that takes more effort or occurs more rapidly than normal), nasal discharge, coughing, wheezing, sneezing, lethargy, and sometimes bleeding from the mouth and/or nose.
  • According to Dr. Mahaney, the ingestion of mold can lead to gastric symptoms such as decreased appetite, vomiting, and stool changes.
  • Signs of an allergy to mold might include excessive scratching, chewing, or licking, which sometimes progresses to the point of fur loss and the development of sores.

Whether you are prone to allergies, asthma, or have a compromised system (and even if you don’t), you won’t want to risk your health. If you suspect there to be a mold problem in your home, call professionals immediately to come out and test the area. In this situation it is definitely better to be safe than sorry.

Has your home recently suffered from water damage or an infestation of mold due to excess moisture? Do you need help from a restoration specialist to determine if you have a mold problem? Don’t worry—Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. will take care of you! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.