What Are The Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Mold allergies are progressive. The more contact you have, the more likely you are to experience severe symptoms.
In some instances, no symptoms or only vague symptoms of mold exposure may occur. These can go unnoticed, especially in babies.
Even without immediate, noticeable symptoms, long-term health effects, such as asthma, have been associated with mold. Its not currently known whether this is a direct cause of mold or merely an association.
Mold may cause:
- skin irritation
- sporotrichosis, a skin infection that starts out as a small pink, red, or purple bump on the skin
- itchy, red eyes
Can You Use Silicone Candy Molds For Resin
Silicone molds work well, but come in a variety of finishes some rough, others seem smooth but will leave your surface looking cloudy/frosted, some are shiny. You can use any mold that was made for resin casting, but be sure to follow the manufacturers suggestions for which mold release chemicals to use.
Cutting Mold From Soft Foods
Soft foods are another story. Mold finds it super easy to get below the surface, so the whole product could be tainted. These foods are destined for the trash can if they develop mold:
- Soft fruits and veggies. Buh-bye, moldy strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes.
- Soft cheeses. Bid your moldy cottage cheese and cream cheese adieu.
- Bread. Farewell, moldy bakery products.
- Cooked foods. These are definite no-nos.
- Jelly, Jell-O, and peanut butter. Dont think you can just scoop it out moldy PB& J can be seriously bad for you.
- Deli meats, bacon, and hot dogs. Say adios to these.
- Yogurt and cream.Just no.
No one wants to eat mold. And yes, you can cut it off some foods. But whats the best way to stop it from growing in the first place?
Follow these steps and say sayonara to that effin mold:
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What Can You Do
In addition to visible mould, other signs of damp problems may include: mould odour, water stains, frequent condensation, peeling or cracked paint or wall paper, damp basement, and standing water under or around the house.
No safe levels of indoor dampness and or mould have been defined. So health-based standards or guidelines do not exist.
Nonetheless, there are several practicable measures you can take to prevent or minimise indoor mould. These include adequately heating and, in colder climates, insulating your home to reduce air humidity levels and condensation.
Install and use appropriate ventilation, particularly in wet areas or areas where water vapour may be emitted, such as bathrooms, laundries and kitchen areas.
Its also critical to avoid water leaks by controlling and maintaining rain and surface water drainage. Where holes are created in the roof or walls to allow skylights, windows, doors, pipes or other structures to be fitted, make sure these are watertight.
If you find visible mould in your home, remove the mould and identify and address the cause of the excess moisture. Clean hard surfaces using soap and water or, if mould growth is persistent, a bleach solution could be used. You may need to throw away absorbent materials such as carpets, depending on the level of contamination.
In case of extensive mould damage, you may need to call on commercial mould remediation services.
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Is Indoor Mold Dangerous
If youve recently started experiencing a runny nose, watery eyes, a dry cough, or skin irritation, you may be experiencing symptoms of mold exposure.
Whether or not indoor mold is harmful depends on how much exposure youve had to mold. Typically a few days wont affect you, but weeks or months of exposure can have harmful and sometimes long-lasting effects.
If youre experiencing the symptoms of mold exposure, chances are youve had mold in your home for quite some time. But how long does it take to start feeling the effects, and how much mold exposure is harmful?
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Symptoms Of Mold Exposure
Symptoms of mold exposure can include:
- Nasal and sinus congestion, runny nose
- Respiratory problems, such as wheezing and difficulty breathing, chest tightness
- Cough
- Sneezing / Sneezing fits
Health effects linking to asthma
Adverse respiratory health effects are associated with occupancy in buildings with moisture and mold damage. Infants may develop respiratory symptoms due to exposure to a specific type of fungal mold, called Penicillium. Signs that an infant may have mold-related respiratory problems include a persistent cough and wheeze. Increased exposure increases the probability of developing respiratory symptoms during their first year of life. Studies have shown that a correlation exists between the probability of developing asthma and increased exposure to Penicillium. The levels are deemed âno moldâ to âlow levelâ, from âlowâ to âintermediateâ, and âintermediateâ to âhighâ.
Mold exposures have a variety of health effects depending on the person. Some people are more sensitive to mold than others. Exposure to mold can cause several health issues such as throat irritation, nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, cough, and wheezing, as well as skin irritation in some cases. Exposure to mold may also cause heightened sensitivity depending on the time and nature of exposure. People at higher risk for mold allergies are people with chronic lung illnesses and weak immune systems, which can often result in more severe reactions when exposed to mold.
Is Moldy Food Dangerous Not Always
Food spoilage is often caused by mold.
Moldy food has an undesirable taste and texture and may have green or white fuzzy spots.
Just the thought of eating moldy food grosses most people out.
While some types of mold can produce harmful toxins, other types are used to produce certain foods, including some cheeses.
This article takes a close look at mold in food and whether its actually bad for you.
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How To Remove Black Mold Yourself
Did you know that its often possible to remove black mold yourself? Its true! Professional mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars and is often excluded from many homeowners insurance policies. But in many instances hiring a mold removal professional isnt necessary and black mold can be removed by a handy homeowner in less than one weekend of work.
If you feel like you may be a homeowner who is up to the challenge, weve written an eBook that gives step-by-step instructions on how to tackle your mold problem. For less than $20, we guarantee that youll save hundreds, if not thousands, of your hard-earned dollars.
You can purchase our eBook here:
And if youre not comfortable tackling the problem yourself, were happy to provide you a quote if youre in our service area. Just contact us for a completely free quote.
Bottom Line: No mold belongs in a healthy home. Be it black mold, or any other color of mold. It should all be treated the same. If you have mold, remove it.
Air Purifiers To Remove Mold Smell And Other Odors
Air purification systems are a great way to combat musty odors in the home. Keep in mind that not all air purification systems are the same. Some are better than others.
Air purifiers work by not just covering up odors with some kind of fragrance, but removing the actual contaminents in the air that cause the odor in the first place.
But how does it do that?
Basically, long story short, it uses negative air to take in airborne particles through a serious of filters. The air purifier then traps the contaminents in a filter or destroys it altogether. It really depends on what type of air purifier you have.
These are some of the most common type of air purifiers you can get:
HEPA Filter Air Purifier
This is probably the most common type of air purifier.
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. A HEPA filter is a type of mechanical air filter it works by forcing air through a fine mesh that traps harmful particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and tobacco smoke.
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Types Of Mold By Color
Different types of molds come in varying colors and often spark distinct allergic reactions.
A Qualified Environmental Lab Took Samples Of The Mold In My Home And Gave Me The Results Can Cdc Interpret These Results
Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable or normal quantity of mold have not been established. Sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth. If you do decide to pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the work starts, you should ask the consultants who will do the work to establish criteria for interpreting the test results. They should tell you in advance what they will do or what recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The results of samples taken in your unique situation cannot be interpreted without physical inspection of the contaminated area or without considering the buildings characteristics and the factors that led to the present condition.
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How Do Molds Get In The Indoor Environment And How Do They Grow
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors. When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
Is It Okay To Eat Bread With Mold
For food safety experts, the answer is clear: Moldy bread is bad news. Some molds, like those used for Gorgonzola cheese, are safe to eat. But the mold dotting bread isnt a benign source of extra fiber. Gravely says people who eat moldy food may suffer allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
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How Are Mold Allergies And Exposure Diagnosed
There are no proven tests that show when or where you may have been exposed to mold.
But your doctor may check for mold allergies by reviewing your symptoms and performing one of the following tests:
- Blood test. Your doctor takes a blood sample and then sends it to a laboratory to measure the number of certain antibodies, which can indicate your immune systems sensitivity to different mold species.
- Skin prick test. Your doctor takes a small amount of mold and applies it to your skin using a tiny needle. Your skin will break out in bumps, a rash, or hives if youre allergic to that type of mold.
White Mold In Your Car
Even though your car isnt technically your home, it is still one of the more common places we have found white mold. The truth is that moisture can easily make its way into your car, whether through the air conditioner, a poorly sealed window, door or sunroof, a spill, or simply an open window. Once mold has started growing inside your car, it can quickly spread onto upholstery, carpeting, and seatsultimately destroying your vehicle. And if mold has gotten inside your cars air conditioner, it will circulate through the air and expose you to potentially toxic mold spores. The best indication that your car has mold is white spots or an earthy odour.
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I Found Mold Growing In My Home How Do I Test The Mold
If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk.
How To Differentiate Between White Mold And Efflorescence
White mold and efflorescence look a lot alike. In fact, theyre so similar that people often mistake one for the other. Both are white in colour and found on walls and other building materials. Understanding what both substances are and how they form will help you to determine which one is making an appearance in your home.
So what is efflorescence? Simply put, efflorescence is salt deposits commonly found on concrete and brick. It develops when water evaporates from concrete or brick, and leaves behind a salty residue on the surface of the material. However, efflorescence causes only cosmetic damage and will not threaten the structural safety of your home. Likewise it also doesnt pose any risk to your health.
Tips for distinguishing between white mold and efflorescence:
- Efflorescence dissolves in watermold does not
- Efflorescence is typically found on concrete and brick while mold grows on organic materials like wood and drywall
- White mold is a living organism while efflorescence is simply salt deposits
- Efflorescence is not harmful. It wont make you sick, but white mold will.
- White mold gives off a distinctive odour while efflorescence not.
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What Symptoms Does Mold Exposure Cause
Mold exposure can cause a variety of symptoms. These include a stuffy nose, red eyes, a sore throat, and wheezing. These symptoms become more severe if you have a mold allergy. People with severe allergies to mold can experience shortness of breath.
For people who are very old or very young, mold exposure can be especially harmful. Individuals with asthma can experience a worsening of symptoms. Those who are immunocompromised may be at risk of fungal infections.
Mold exposure, especially exposure to harmful black mold, is thought to have a toxic effect on the body. There is little evidence to support the idea that exposure to harmful mold spores can cause mycotoxicosis, or mold-poisoning. Youre more likely to experience mold-poisoning if you eat moldy foods.
Types Of Mold Categorized By Health Effects
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I Heard About Toxic Molds And Black Molds That Grow In Homes And Other Buildings Should I Be Concerned About A Serious Health Risk To Me And My Family
There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces.
Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins . Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.
There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.
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