Mold can grow in a variety of places in your home or business. Though moist areas like shower stalls, bathtubs and basements are the most common places for mold to grow, it can thrive anywhere that is humid. Drywall, carpets, furniture, ceiling tiles, duct work, roofing, wallpaper, paneling and areas around plumbing pipes are other areas in your home or business that can easily be infected by mold if the right conditions are provided.
Mold can have an adverse effect on health, with the most common being mold allergies. Signs and symptoms of mold allergy include:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Wheezing
- Rash
- Itchy eyes
- Coughing
- Eye redness
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Mold can also produce toxic substances, known as mycotoxins, though mold itself is not toxic. Not all molds produce mycotoxins, and even mold that is capable of producing mycotoxins does not always do so. However, children, the elderly, individuals with asthma and individuals with compromised immune systems tend to be more affected by mold and mycotoxins. A study conducted by the Institute of Medicine in 2004 found that there was significant evidence to link indoor mold exposure and upper respiratory tract symptoms, including coughing and wheezing, in otherwise healthy people. Children that were genetically susceptible to asthma were also more likely to develop asthma when exposed to mold for prolonged periods of time. This and other studies prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to release guidelines related to mold and indoor air quality.
Though small patches of mold can be dispatched using household cleaning products such as bleach, larger patches should be dealt with by a professional. Professionals will not only be able to effectively eliminate mold, but also accurately identify the source of the moisture allowing it to thrive and assess the building for any structural damage caused by the mold.
For more information about the negative effects of mold, or to call in a professional mold remediation team, contact 24/7 Restoration today at 403.247.4365 and visit 247restoration.ca today.
