Revealing Mold Exposure in the Home: Winter guide

You may not have ever considered mold as problem in your home, but it’s true, all houses have mold and if any of your family members have allergies, asthma, runny nose, chronic cough, congestion, rashes, itchy eyes or other signs of allergies, mold may be the cause. In addition, it is the time of year when people bring trees into their living rooms to decorate for the season. Some plants actually improve the air quality in your home, but for others, Christmas trees may aggravate their symptoms. You may think that you are allergic to Christmas, but what is likely is that the mold spores from your Christmas tree are causing an allergic reaction.

A survey in 2006 showed that 3 out of 4 adults experienced allergy attack thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. A good idea if you are using an artificial tree is to clean it and the decorations with warm soapy warm before setting up as they can harbor dust and molds while in storage. If you are already an allergy sufferer, your best bet is an artificial tree.
Molds, which are present in all homes, are typically not a problem unless they are in large amounts and are given the right environment to grow.

The most common fungi found in homes include Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Basidiospores, Chaetomium, Periconia and Stachybotrys. Mold in the air land on wet surfaces and can begin to produce allergens, irritants and even toxins called mycotoxins. Allergic reactions to molds are common and can occur suddenly to days later. They can trigger asthma attacks and lung infections in susceptible people. I can verify this from personal experience having never wheezed a day in my life. Soon after moving to Utah, I began wheezing at night in our apartment. Now as we look for a permanent residence, mold has been on the forefront of my mind.

If you are concerned that your house may have mold because your family members are affected by the conditions listed above, or you have visibly seen mold in your home, there are several companies in the area that I have found will help with identifying and removing molds. A couple of the “green” companies I have found are Sargent Steam, Five Step Carpet Care, and Dream Clean.

Of course call and discuss your specific condition to see if they are able to help you. Two resources for the DIY (do it yourself) family members are: The Green Clean Network and Utah Moms For Clean Air. If you find that you would like to test your indoor air yourself there are several companies on the internet that sell kits you can purchase and test areas of your home. Keep in mind, however all homes contain some amounts of mold and the quantity that affects your family’s health is not the same as your neighbors. One such company can be found on the internet at Home Mold Kit. Other local Utah companies that specialize in mold can be found at Utah Home Inspection Services and Pro Inspection Services of Utah

I’ve included some articles that I have compiled regarding mold and its health implications:
a. Infant wheezing – http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/550777, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/140082.php
b. Asthma – http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/588652, http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/550775, http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/140082.php
c. Depression- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81038.php
d. Depression II – http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/80452.php
e. Pets health and mold – http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81655.php
f. Allergies – http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/45157.php
g. Sinusitis – http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/72873.php
h. Kidney problems – http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/410132
i. Immune dysfunction – http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/465870

What should you do? Well, much like anything with your health, the best known management is prevention. Moisture and carpet increases spore count, so wood or tile is the best option for flooring . Next, frequently check window seals , under sinks and other areas of moisture for visible mold. If you see visible mold, do not panic, but rather use a dilute bleach solution and dry the area. If you are in a rental unit read about your landlord’s liability for mold problems.

Use ventilation fans in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms to prevent moisture buildup. Humidifiers are helpful with allergies, but can actually make things worse if regular maintenance is not done to prevent mold build up. Indoor air purifiers can be helpful to clear mold spores that are airborne and are available from this website indoorpurifiers.com along with some good information about mold and cleaning the indoor environment. Maintaining an indoor humidity of less than 35%, washing clothes in water 130 degrees especially after playing outdoors and mattress and pillow covers are all things that can decrease chance of an allergic reaction to mold. Testing is available with a simple blood test to see if you or your family members are sensitive to molds. Ask about it next time you are in our office.