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What are the Health Risks of Mould?

Mould may be a natural occurrence in our outdoor environment but living indoors with a growing mould can pose serious health issues to us humans if not addressed immediately. Before we delve into how mould can affect our health, let’s understand what exactly is mould and what kind of indoor mould exists.

What is Mould?

In your household, mould can look different in many ways, shapes, colours and even smells. Mould is a natural occurring organism in our natural environment and can be found in almost anywhere where moisture and oxygen are present. With sufficient or even excessive moisture and oxygen present, mould can multiply quickly and accumulate in your house.

When not attentive, living indoors with mould can grow and live on home materials that you’re familiar with such as Wood, Paper and Wallcoverings, potentially creating a harmful living environment for your health.

Health Risks Associated with Mould

Living indoors with a mould issue can cause harmful health risks such as allergy reactions, trigger asthma attacks, fungal infections, chronic respiratory problems. Several examples of indoor moulds are Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Stachybotrys (black mould). Though the names may sound unfamiliar, you may have seen these moulds growing in your house. Colours which are white, green and black have a velvety, fuzzy appearance.

Mould Allergies

A Close Shot Of Woman's Shoulder Showing The Mould Allergies On Her Skin

Allergy symptoms caused by indoor mould can range from nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy throat, watery eyes and headaches. When you have mould allergy, your immune system tends to overreact, creating discomfort for your body.

Fungal Infections

Mould can cause fungal skin infections, resulting in symptoms such as scaly skin, itchiness, and swelling. Fungal skin infections can affect any part of your body and if not treated immediately, it can get worse and spread to the other parts of your body.

Asthma Attacks and Chronic respiratory problems

In a poorly ventilated space with no proper airflow and excessive moisture, mould is highly encouraged to grow in the homes of many. For family members who have asthma, indoor mould spores can trigger asthma attacks, resulting in symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. This is especially dangerous for those who are immunocompromised, potential complications can be further heightened.

How to Identify Mould Growth at Home?

There are 2 simple ways to identify mould growth in your home such as detecting the musty smell and recognizing the appearance of the mould.

Musty Odours of the Mould

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Often, mould produces a strong musty smell which can be a good indicator of its presence.
If the musty spell is still persistent even after through cleaning your house, there might a mould growth lingering at spaces you probably did not observe closely. The next thing to look at would be the appearance of the mould.

Appearance of the Mould

Take a look at spaces in your homes that may be hidden from the eye.
Mould comes in various colours such as orange, white, green and black. It often looks fuzzy, velvety or even slimy to the naked eye. Make sure not to mistake it for dirt or paint.

How to Prevent Mould Growth at Home?

There are 3 ways to prevent mould growth in your homes such as improving the ventilation, controlling the moisture level and regular cleaning.

Ventilation Improvements

To improve the ventilation in your house, ensure that the windows are mostly open to allow ample airflow to circulate throughout the day. Secondly, using exhaust fans is also a great help to generate airflow if you do not live in a place that’s particularly windy.

Moisture Control

To control the moisture levels at home, ensure that there are no water leak issues. Places like the bathrooms and kitchen sink can have water leakage that promotes the growth of mould to multiply quickly. Using a dehumidifier can help bring the humidity level down which reduces the chances of mould growing.

Regular Cleaning

Although a no-brainer this one, regularly cleaning the house is not only good for cleanliness but it’s one way to detect any ongoing growth of mould that you might missed out. Mould can grow in hidden spaces you may not have been aware of previously. This is especially true because mould also prefers to grow in dark environments.

Professional Remediation

Lastly, if the above efforts have not resolved your indoor mould issue completely, you might have to consider professional remediation as your solution. Not addressing the mould growth in your house can continue to exacerbate the symptoms of your health and result in long term health problems.

Are you looking for a Professional Remediation?

If you need more information on mould control, we have the right expertise for you! Our experts are on hand to answer your questions, provide assistance, and guide you towards creating a space that is comfortable and inviting. Contact us for all of your odour control needs and we will provide a free on-site inspection.

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