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How to detect and eliminate dangerous mold in your home |
Is your basement a mold breeding ground?
(NC)—It thrives in dark and damp conditions, regardless of how warm or cold the temperature. Most types commonly found in indoor environments can result in the aggravation of respiratory conditions, such as asthma, allergies and sinus infections. What is this dangerous culprit breeding in your basement and making your family sick?
Is your basement a mold breeding ground?
(NC)—It thrives in dark and damp conditions, regardless of how warm or cold the temperature. Most types commonly found in indoor environments can result in the aggravation of respiratory conditions, such as asthma, allergies and sinus infections. What is this dangerous culprit breeding in your basement and making your family sick? It's none other than indoor mold.
According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation more than 50 per cent of all homes show visible signs of high levels of basement humidity. Many homes have an overly humid basement, which breeds molds and other unhealthy microorganisms.
Mold health effects are well documented. According to the Environment Protection Agency, children in homes with high mold show persistent, cold-like symptoms, three times more than average. Also, most cases of sinusitis are a result of indoor molds.
How do molds cause these respiratory problems?
Most household molds are made of microscopic yeast and mold species. They cause respiratory problems by releasing microscopic spores into the air, which carry mycotoxins, which cause the spore to be allergenic and toxic. These airborne spores stay alive by consuming nutrients from organic material, which is readily found in the home. These include wood, paper, dust and food. This results in illness and breathing problems for those who suffer from any type of respiratory-related condition, such as asthma, allergies or nasal infections.
Signs of a mold problem
• An increase in asthma and allergy attacks.
• Chronic leaks or wet areas often result in a mold problem.
• Mildew smell.
• Visible signs of mold.
• High humidity in the home, particularly the basement
How to reduce mold in your home
According to Gerry Gagnon, Product and Market Manager for Venmar Ventilation, here are some key steps you can take to help eliminate the risk of health problems related to high humidity and mold.
• Clean surfaces where there is mold with bleach.
• Fix all sources of leaks, mold thrives in damp conditions.
• Check houseplant soil and make sure it is not always very damp.
• Keep firewood outside.
• Keep the basement as dry as possible as this is where mold is most likely to be a problem.
• Clean the shower floor frequently to ensure that mold does not accumulate.
• Most importantly, ventilate and clean your indoor air. How? According to Gagnon, the latest technology in indoor air management, Venmar's air exchanger system, offers the best solution to reducing indoor pollution caused by mold spores by combining the efficiency of HEPA filtration and effective mechanical ventilation.
"The air exchanger allows polluted air to exit and fresh air, filtered by HEPA filtration, to flow through the home," he added. "It also allows excess humidity and dangerous mold spores, volatile organic compounds, and carbon monoxide that are not captured by filtration, to escape the home." More details on how to eliminate dangerous indoor air pollutants is available at www.venmar.ca.
Credit: www.newscanada.com |
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