In our practice, we see many very sick individuals. In Florida, a large proportion of these individuals unfortunately have become ill via exposure from certain species of molds. Unfortunately in this state, it is the perfect breeding ground for mold problems, as it is almost always warm and moist! In today’s post, we talk about why exposure to certain molds can be such a big problem, what you should know about molds, and also a few simple steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of this ever becoming a problem in your or a loved one’s home! Let’s explore the dangers of toxic mold in your home!
A Little Background on Molds
Molds have been documented to, in rare cases, be deadly to individuals exposed in dramatically high levels. This has been the case in fact for hundreds of years, as historical accounts in Europe note this. Primarily mold needs two key elements to flourish: water and organic material upon which to feed. Unfortunately, many things in contemporary homes function as optimal ‘food’ for mold, such as particle board, wood, faux wood paneling, and so forth. Naturally, molds exist around in the environment and are ubiquitously found floating in spore form in the air outside, typically causing no problem to anyone (except perhaps to those who may be allergic to certain species and then suffer from hayfever type of symptoms). However, allergic rhinitis is not the sick picture that some individuals can present from exposure to certain kinds of mold.
The Difference Between Non-toxic & Toxic Molds
Thankfully, many molds pose little threat to human or animal kind. Besides potentially being an allergen and again, causing allergic rhinitis types of symptoms, they do no more harm than being allergenic and/or damaging to household property via discoloration, etc. However, certain species are much more concering. In certain mold species, like Stachybotrys & Aspergillus, they can produce particular types of noxious toxins that can be very irritating, damaging, and debilitating to certain individuals and animals exposed to them in high concentrations.
Household dwellings with either some form of water damage or a faulty a/c unit unfortunately present the perfect environment for people to potentially get a massive dose of mold exposure! In such situations, such as the case with like a leaky roof or a leaking pipe in a wall, mold begins to feed off of the water/organic material combination and then begins producing ‘biotoxins’ that become air-borne and are inhaled. In about 25% of the population, these individuals are unable to effectively clear these toxins out through the bowels and liver, resulting in them continually circulating in the body, making a given person sicker and sicker! A vast array of symptoms may then present, from burning eyes and sinus passages to profound fatigue, brain fog, nausea, coughing, lung disease, disturbances in sleep, urination patterns, loss of weight and/or appetite and more. Typically the higher the biotoxin count in the house and the more mold, the more serious the situation may be for the individual with continued exposure!
WHAT TO DO TO SAFEGUARD YOURSELVES
After someone has been exposed and is coming down with symptoms, it is essential that they get proper care by a center like Visionary Health and minimize any future exposure. They will also need to repair the water damage problem and seek out proper remediation, through a quality provider like www.midwestenvironmentalpros.com. In some cases, some individuals may have to vacate their dwellings if damage is too severe and remediation cannot fix this.
But like most things, it is ideal to try and prevent this problem from ever having the chance to happen in the first place. One simple tip: 1) Have all your pipes and A/C unit checked and tested for any leaks or faulty functioning. Many homes have pipes that are decades old and over time these can burst and/or leak, creating an insidious problem with potentially severe consequences. Tip two: 2) Keep the humidity in your home below 55%. By keeping the humidity lower in your home, mold is less likely to grow and spread easily, as the water in the air facilitates its growth in addition to any other localized water sources too.
In Conclusion
Mold induced illness can be a very serious thing, so if you think you or a loved one may be at risk, make sure to call us and investigate this possibility thoroughly. In the meantime, get your home checked out and keep it high and dry to make sure nothing creeps up over time that could become highly unwelcome in your precious home!