Is There A Connection Between Mold And Asthma?

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Some people ignore the presence of mold in their homes simply because they think it is harmless. The truth is that mold is unpleasant and it is associated with causing respiratory illnesses among others. Mold is known to exacerbate asthma but what most people are unaware of is that it can also cause asthma to people who are genetically predisposed to respiratory illnesses.

According to a research conducted recently, the findings showed that people who are predisposed to allergies especially children, are at a greater risk of developing asthma if exposed to certain kinds of mold. There are hundreds of thousands types of mold but only a few are known to be harmful to human beings. Mold that was linked to causing asthma grows in humid areas and homes that are water damaged. Compared to other household allergens like cockroach, dog, cat and dust mite, mold is said to be the only risk factor for developing asthma.

Mold effects

Mold is a type of fungi. This means that it is found everywhere around us; in the dust around your home, in the air you breathe in, and in buildings. Mold is classified as an allergen. When it reproduces, mold creates spores that float in the air which affects the body the same way as inhaling other types of allergens. Not all people get affected by mold. However, genetically predisposed people are more likely to get an allergic reaction when exposed to mold than healthy people.

Mold when inhaled for a prolonged time develops a specific antibody. With time, further exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions. The reactions are linked to symptoms for hayfever and asthma.  Study also shows that people with weak immune system get easily affected by mold and they can develop infections if exposed to certain types of mold.

Airborne mold

Not all mold is visible. You may be exposed to airborne mold and not know it. Airborne mold is caused by water leaks from poorly constructed buildings and it can cause serious respiratory illnesses. To determine whether your home has airborne mold or not, you need to carry out a mold inspection in Los Angeles. Mold inspectors use specialized equipment to draw air from affected spaces and then a sample is created in a special glass then taken to the laboratory for further testing.

Cleaning and preventing mold

Experts in mold inspection recommend that one should get to the root cause of the mold problem in order to get rid of the problem once and for all. For example, is a house is poorly constructed or has leaks, remediation has to happen at the building level. Simply cleaning and wiping surfaces with mold will not help to eliminate the problem.

The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it in the first place. Make sure that you remove all sources of moisture in your surroundings. Also, take care of leaks whether in the plumbing system or holes in your roof to avoid causing dampness in your home. Mold flourish in dark and stuffy places. Ensure that your home is well lit and well ventilated to discourage mold growth. Using bleach to clean off mold is said to encourage its growth instead of getting rid of the problem. How? Bleach just whitens the surface affected by mold but it does not help to kill it. Instead, bleach damages the surfaces of walls which in turn encourage mold growth.

Other tips to control and prevent mold in your home

  • When washing mold off hard surfaces, use several buckets and rags and have a system in place to avoid recontamination
  • If you have carpets and floor rugs, consider replacing them every once in a while to avoid mold growth
  • When using a dishwasher, showering or cooking, open windows or use exhaust fans
  • Hang wet or damp clothes outside

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