How Mold Impacts Your Health

Bill Tyrell is a professional mold remediation expert based out of Mount Pleasant, Indiana, who runs Triage BioClean Services. In this article, he sets the record straight on the health effects of mold contamination.

Molds are small fungal organisms that can live in your walls, carpet, insulation, and just about any surface area in your home. Like most living organisms, molds need moisture to live and reproduce. That’s why you’re most likely to find mold in areas with leaks or high humidity. In most cases, you can identify mold by its smell, which is usually earthy and damp, or by its color, which can range from black to purple to white and often appears in a speckled pattern.

While mold can have a number of harmful health effects, including allergic reactions, irritation, and in rare cases, infection, for the most part, it does not harm healthy people. On the other hand, people with allergies, asthma, a lowered immune system or lung disease have a higher risk of being harmed by mold. People with weak immune systems or chronic lung disease especially are at risk of contracting lung infections from mold, which is why it is generally recommended for individuals who fall into either of these groups to stay away from wooded areas, cut grass, and other places that are likely to contain pollen and allergens.

Here are a few of the potential issues of being exposed to mold:

Irritation: These symptoms can range from the physical, such as sneezing and congestion and headaches, to mental, such as difficulty concentrating. This type of reaction is often caused by volatile organic compounds that mold creates as a byproduct. Additional symptoms can include skin rash, eye irritation and dizziness. Often these symptoms are caused by mycotoxins, a toxic substance emitted by mold. The harmful effects of mycotoxins can be aggravated by other factors such as diet and genetics.

Allergic Reactions: Most molds don’t cause allergic reactions. But if you have chronic allergies that don’t go away with the seasons, that’s a high indicator that you may have a mold allergy. In addition, if you or your family members are allergic to pollen or dander, you’re more likely to have an allergy to mold.

The root cause of an allergic reaction is a foreign substance or organism that has invaded your body and caused it to create an immune response even though there is actually little to no real threat. When the foreign substance is mold, the symptoms are quite similar to those of seasonal allergies and can include sneezing, running nose, throat irritation and dry skin.

Disease: This is the least common health hazard associated with mold, but people who have weakened immune systems, whether because they have AIDS or are undergoing chemotherapy or transplant surgery, are at risk of contracting infections from mold that normally wouldn’t harm a healthy person.

A few safety tips to follow when dealing with mold include:

• If you have a small patch of mold, you can take care of it on your own with a little unscented detergent. Wear goggles, a breathing mask and gloves.
• High humidity can create a friendly environment for mold. If your home has excessive humidity levels, you may have a problem with your heating system. If you live in a humid climate, a dehumidifier can help you prevent mold.
• If the mold is deeply embedded in an area of your home or occupies more than 10 square feet of space, contact a professional mold remediation expert. If you choose to tackle the problem on your own, wear a particle filter mask approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
• Dehumidifying your home isn’t enough. Even dry mold can cause health problems and structural damage to your home.
• Never paint over mold, as it will still be able to grow under the paint.
• Bathrooms are a prime target for mold and should be cleaned with mold-killing cleaning products.
• If any part of your home floods, dry the area and any absorbent materials such as rugs or carpets as soon as possible.The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.