Is the mould in your home a health risk?

Mould is a fungi that can grow in damp, wet places in your home and pose some health risks to your family. Here are some things you should know.

Just the word mould is enough to scare many homeowners. Mould is a fungi that can be found both outdoors and in, and if it’s growing inside your house it could pose some health risks. This is especially true for the more vulnerable members of your family such as infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with allergies or asthma, or those whose immune systems are already compromised.

Mould produces microscopic cells called spores that can be spread through air, water, or even on the bodies of insects. It’s not just an ugly fungi that can ruin food or furniture. It is a health hazard that can seriously contaminate the air you breathe.

Some people are more sensitive to mould than others, while some are actually allergic to the fungi. For these people, exposure to mould can cause symptoms ranging from nasal stuffiness and eye irritation to wheezing, skin irritations and more severe reactions.

• There are many different species of mould, ranging from 10,000 to perhaps 300,000 or more, although no one knows the exact number.
• Moulds grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions, and spread and reproduce by making spores.
• Mould can grow in ceilings, walls, carpets, crawl spaces, basements, or anywhere in a home that is damp and wet.
• Mould spores can survive harsh environmental conditions, even dry conditions that wouldn’t normally be conducive to mould growth.
• Exposure to mould can cause allergic reactions, trigger asthma attacks, increase susceptibility to colds and flu and cause sinus infections.

If you have seen mould or suspect you might have mould growing somewhere in your home, first and foremost you need to clean it up immediately. Be sure to dry the wet or damp area completely as soon as possible, ideally within 24 to 48 hours of water damage to prevent mould from growing. Fix any water problems right away and seal up any moisture to prevent mould from growing again.

If you have a lot of mould or water damage, you should probably hire a professional who is trained to safely and properly rid your home of mould. You should always try to control moisture within your home to prevent mould from growing.