How Mold Affects You and
Your Family's Health
Health and Mold
How do molds affect people?
Some people are sensitive to
molds. For these people,
exposure to molds can cause
symptoms such as nasal
stuffiness, eye irritation,
wheezing, or skin
irritation. Some people,
such as those with serious
allergies to molds, may have
more severe reactions.
Severe reactions may occur
among workers exposed to
large amounts of molds in
occupational settings, such
as farmers working around
moldy hay. Severe reactions
may include fever and
shortness of breath. Some
people with chronic lung
illnesses, such as
obstructive lung disease,
may develop mold infections
in their lungs.
Asthma and Mold
Molds can trigger asthma
episodes in sensitive
individuals with asthma.
People with asthma should
avoid contact with or
exposure to molds.
Moisture control is the key
to mold control, the
Moisture Control Section
from Biological Pollutants
in Your Home follows:
Moisture Control
Water in your home can come
from many sources. Water can
enter your home by leaking
or by seeping through
basement floors. Showers or
even cooking can add
moisture to the air in your
home. The amount of moisture
that the air in your home
can hold depends on the
temperature of the air. As
the temperature goes down,
the air is able to hold less
moisture. This is why, in
cold weather, moisture
condenses on cold surfaces
(for example, drops of water
form on the inside of a
window). This moisture can
encourage biological
pollutants to grow.
There are many ways to
control moisture in your
home:
-
Fix leaks and seepage.
If water is entering the
house from the outside,
your options range from
simple landscaping to
extensive excavation and
waterproofing. (The
ground should slope away
from the house.) Water
in the basement can
result from the lack of
gutters or a water flow
toward the house. Water
leaks in pipes or around
tubs and sinks can
provide a place for
biological pollutants to
grow.
-
Put a plastic cover over
dirt in crawlspaces to
prevent moisture from
coming in from the
ground. Be sure
crawlspaces are
well-ventilated.
-
Use exhaust fans in
bathrooms and kitchens
to remove moisture to
the outside (not into
the attic). Vent your
clothes dryer to the
outside.
-
Turn off certain
appliances (such as
humidifiers or kerosene
heaters) if you notice
moisture on windows and
other surfaces.
-
Use dehumidifiers and
air conditioners,
especially in hot, humid
climates, to reduce
moisture in the air, but
be sure that the
appliances themselves
don't become sources of
biological pollutants.
-
Raise the temperature of
cold surfaces where
moisture condenses. Use
insulation or storm
windows. (A storm window
installed on the inside
works better than one
installed on the
outside.) Open doors
between rooms
(especially doors to
closets which may be
colder than the rooms)
to increase circulation.
Circulation carries heat
to the cold surfaces.
Increase air circulation
by using fans and by
moving furniture from
wall corners to promote
air and heat
circulation. Be sure
that your house has a
source of fresh air and
can expel excessive
moisture from the home.
-
Pay special attention to
carpet on concrete
floors. Carpet can
absorb moisture and
serve as a place for
biological pollutants to
grow. Use area rugs
which can be taken up
and washed often. In
certain climates, if
carpet is to be
installed over a
concrete floor, it may
be necessary to use a
vapor barrier (plastic
sheeting) over the
concrete and cover that
with sub-flooring
(insulation covered with
plywood) to prevent a
moisture problem.
