Mold – Is It A Real Health Concern Or Not?

Nearly everyone has heard of horror stories with mold in homes or a business, but a lot of people still aren’t sure if mold can be a serious issue. Some folks think that it’s been blown out of proportion or that the stories have been made to sound worse than it actually was.

We’ve collected some authoritative sources to help you decide once and for all if mold is a real health concern or not. First off, here’s what the EPA has to say:

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home | Mold and Moisture | US Environmental Protection Agency

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). 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 (dermatitis). 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.

Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home | Mold and Moisture | US Environmental Protection Agency

So, for most people mold in confined spaces can cause actual problems – and make existing medical issues worse.

Additionally, it will really wreak havoc with materials that it comes into contact with – literally destroying anything that it grows on!

CDC – Mold – General Information – Basic Facts

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.

In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. CDC – Mold – General Information – Basic Facts

The CDC goes into further detail above about the specifics of dangers from various molds – that can occur both inside the home and outdoors. If you also would like CDC  recommendations on how to minimize the risk from these molds you can read more at the link provided.

So, what is the answer? Molds can cause health problems and can really make existing issues worse. Please contact water and mold damage experts if you think you have mold problems and get it taken care of ASAP!

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