Clean Air Day: Mold And Indoor Air Quality

The Danger Of Mold In Your Home

Mold And Your Health
Mold in your home will affect your indoor air quality. Mold has microscopic cells called mold spores that float through the air. These spores spread mold and they can carry chemicals called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can enter the body through inhalation, through the skin, or even through the digestion of mold-containing foods. Mycotoxins can cause reactions ranging from allergen triggers to the development of mold illness. Mold in your home can cause several types of sickness, including:

• Allergies. Anyone with a mold allergy will react if their home has mold spores. These reactions can range in severity, with some people experiencing sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, dry or scaly skin, or itchy eyes, nose, or throat.
• Asthma. Many people with asthma have an accompanying mold allergy that can trigger their asthma symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
• Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). This condition, also known as mold illness, will range in severity depending on the type of mold a person has been exposed to, how long the exposure period has lasted, and their genetic predisposition to mold illness. 
  • Mild cases of mold illness can cause a runny nose and congestion, eye irritation, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, skin rash, headache, lung irritation, and wheezing.
  • Severe CIRS can cause headaches and migraines, joint pain, muscle cramping, aches and pains, persistent nerve pain, numbness, tingling or tremors, vertigo/dizziness, frequent colds and flu, fatigue and weakness, poor memory, brain fog, difficulty with focus, a metallic taste in the mouth, word recollection issues, mood swings, decreased comprehension skills, skin sensitivity, sweats/temperature regulation issues, and more.

Mold-related symptoms will subside for some people when exposure to the mold ends, but other people will continue to have lifelong, chronic symptoms that can greatly affect their quality of life.

Air Quality And Mold
While mold makes air quality worse, the reverse is also true; poor air quality also makes mold worse. Areas that lack ventilation and fresh air are far more likely to develop mold than areas that are exposed to air movement and the opportunity for moisture to dry out. Clean air ventilation systems can also help prevent mold. Most air conditioning systems and built-in fans have filters that are used to collect dust and mold spores. Replacing these regularly takes those mold spores out of your home so that they cannot further develop.

When there is mold in the home, it will often continue to grow unless properly removed. Mold that is not properly removed can leave mold spores that linger and cause the mold to quickly regrow. Areas where organic material (such as carpet, upholstery, drywall, or wooden support beams) has become wet are also highly prone to mold growth. After any form of flood or other water damage, ensure your home is properly cleaned up, dried, and ventilated.

Mold Remediation In Calgary

If you notice mold in the home, feel any mold illness related symptoms, or haven’t cleaned your filtration systems in a while, calling a mold remediation service is a great first step. Trained mold remediation specialists know where mold is most commonly found and they know how to safely remove mold-infested surfaces. If your home has a mold problem, the 24/7 Restoration mold remediation team can remove all mold to improve your air quality and to ensure no lingering mold is left behind to spread further. At 24/7 Restoration in Calgary, we go above and beyond the safety requirements laid out by the Alberta government to ensure your home is completely mold-free. To contact our 24-hour emergency line and get mold remediation now, call 24/7 Restoration at 1-403-247-4365 or you can fill out the online contact form to have a time arranged for a mold inspection.

FAQ

Q: What materials can mold grow on?
A: Mold can grow almost anywhere that has the three elements it needs: air, moisture, and a surface to cling to. Drywall, wood, and fabrics such as cotton are great examples of areas where mold can grow in the home.

Q: Can I clean up mold by myself? If yes, how?
A: It is possible to remove small patches of mold by yourself if you take the right precautions. Wear protective clothing and scrub away the mold with a mixture of detergent and water (not bleach). However, if the moisture problem is not resolved, the mold is likely to return. Most people don’t know the difference between non-toxic and toxic mold, so it is safer to contact 24/7 Restoration for proper removal of all forms of mold.

Q: What’s the difference between mold and mildew?
A: Mildew often grows on top of surfaces while mold grows within, making mold more difficult to remove. Both mold and mildew spread using spores and it is best to have them both removed by professionals to limit the chance of regrowth. To learn more, read Mold Vs. Mildew: What’s The Difference?