Mold and Your Health (view all articles)
Written by: Joanie Miller - Panama City Beach, Florida
Mold:
Mold has been a part of the world since before man. It is a tiny microscopic organism (fungus) that eats and digests organic material and can be found almost everywhere you can find moisture.
Where can I find Mold?
To put it simply, you can find mold anywhere you can find moisture. Mold can grow on various types of surfaces including wood, carpet and grout, among other things. The most common type of mold found in residential homes is typically found in dry-wall, insulation and sheet rock.
Mold and Me
Mold spreads when it is disturbed. It releases tiny spores in to the air and deposits them wherever they land. You can be exposed to mold by breathing it in, hand-to-mouth interaction, eating food that is molding and by touching mold.
The way mold affects people are by allergic reactions. Many people are sensitive to mold and it may cause fatigue, headaches, irritation to the lungs and various other health problems. Some molds produce a toxin called mycotoxins. If you have been exposed to high volumes of mold, please consult your doctor.
What should I do if I find Mold?
Clean it up as soon as possible. As mold grows, it damages anything it’s on. The first thing you should do is consider how large the mold has grown. Some say that if the size is less than 3’x3’, you can take care of it yourself. If the area is larger than this, it’s recommended that you consult a pest inspector or contractor to take care of the job for you.
When cleaning moldy areas:
- Wear gloves. Not the small gardening gloves that your use to, but the larger versions that extend past the elbow.
- Wear goggles. You may find goggles at your local hardware store. If at all possible, try finding a pair that has no ventilation.
- Wear masks. You may also find masks and respirators at your local hardware store.
- When complete, take a shower. This is to rid any excess mold spores that may have landed on you during the cleaning process.
Other Mold Resources
Here is a list of valuable websites that discuss mold and their health hazards. Please let me know if you have any other websites not posted here and I would be more than happy to list them.
