Mold Exposure and Its Effects on Health

5 min read

Discovering that musty, earthy smell inside your home is never a pleasant experience. Unfortunately, basements, attics, crawl spaces, and other parts of the house are susceptible to mold due to various reasons.

Regardless of the cause, it pays to remember that microbial growth does not simply compromise a building’s livability and structural integrity. More importantly, it can also cause illnesses and other health issues, requiring you to enlist professional mold remediation in Suffolk County before the situation worsens.

How Indoor Mold Spreads And Reproduces

Molds release spores that can be quickly spread in the air, through water, or on hosts like people and animals. They thrive in environments with high humidity – making properties particularly vulnerable to microbial growth during Suffolk County’s warm and humid summers.

The Health Effects of Mold Exposure

If touched, inhaled, or even ingested, mold can cause a wide range of symptoms in people, especially the elderly and those with respiratory conditions or a weakened immune system. And while these can vary from one person to another, the most commons symptoms seen in those exposed to indoor mold include the following:

• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• Throat irritation
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Coughing or wheezing
• Sneezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Rashes
• Headache

The most widely reported mold exposure symptoms are respiratory in nature. With that said, getting in contact with mold can also produce other allergic reactions like eye irritation and rashes, which can either be immediate or delayed. Individuals allergic to mold may have more severe reactions, such as shortness of breath. Ultimately, extensive contamination can cause asthma, mold-related infections, and other complications.

Those with the following risk factors are more likely to experience health issues related to mold exposure:

• Have a chronic or obstructive lung disease
• Have mold allergies (or a family history of allergies)
• Live in a home with over 50 percent humidity
• Live in a home that has recently experienced water damage from a flood, leak, or extreme moisture
• Work in a job that regularly exposes them to mold (e.g., farming, winemaking, woodworking, lumber milling)

Treating And Preventing Mold Exposure

If you suspect you or a family member is showing symptoms of mold exposure, your best first step is to consult your doctor. This is because it can be tricky to determine that mold – and not another health condition or allergy – is causing the symptoms you’re experiencing. You may have to undergo blood or skin tests to check if you have a mold allergy. You will be given medications based on the results to address your symptoms.

When it comes to preventing mold in your home and, therefore, limiting your mold exposure, here are some practical tips you can follow today:

• Keep your indoor humidity levels below 50 percent using a dehumidifier.
• Regularly clean and dry damp areas, such as your bathrooms, sinks, and basements.
• Repair leaks and remove any standing water immediately.
• Use vents in your kitchen and bathroom, especially when cooking or using hot water.
• Watch out for signs of microbial growth and get professional help promptly.

How To Know if You Need Mold Remediation in Suffolk County

Fortunately, indoor contamination can often be seen and smelled. Mold can appear as fuzzy or slimy stains that increase in size and produce a recognizable musty odor. The first places you want to inspect for these signs include your basement, attic, showers, kitchen, laundry room, and areas around your heating and cooling appliances.

It’s best to get in touch with mold remediation professionals near you as soon as possible if you are:

• Seeing visible signs of mold and contamination
• Noticing a stale and musty smell inside your home that does not go away
• Experiencing allergic reactions and other symptoms mentioned earlier only when you’re indoors

Prevent Mold Growth in Suffolk County And Keep Your Loved Ones Safe

Mold can be found everywhere in the environment. But once it enters your home and lands in areas with sufficient moisture, it can grow and spread in no time. The key to keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from the health effects of mold exposure is to keep the contamination from getting out of control.

Repairing leaks, cleaning up any standing water immediately, and maintaining ideal indoor humidity levels are just some practical ways to protect your abode from microbial contamination. Watching out for any fuzzy or slimy discolorations and musty odors can also help you catch mold before it leads to further issues.

But if you suspect you already have an existing problem, the next step is to get expert help from a certified mold removal company like Restoration 1 – and to do so as soon as possible. Our IICRC-certified experts will not only eliminate mold but also address the moisture problem promoting microbial growth to keep it from coming back.

Don’t let mold take over your home and diminish your quality of life. Contact your local Restoration 1 team today for safe, efficient, and reliable mold remediation in Suffolk County.