Mold and Its Effects on Your Health

Today’s world seems to offer us a limitless variety of new environmental toxins and irritants that can make us sick. But one old nemesis, mold, has been with us for as long as homes have harbored moisture. Let’s take a look at how this common household problem can wreak havoc on your health — and when you need to leave mold removal to the professionals.

What Is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus made up of yeasts. These yeasts accumulate into thread-shaped assemblies which may grow until they take over large areas of a floor, wall, or other surface. Mold requires moisture in order to thrive, so it tends to grow on damp areas of a home. You may recognize a mold problem, if it’s hidden from view under floorboards or inside air conditioning ducts, by the presence of a mildewy or musty smell.

Mold and Its Effects on Your Health

If a mold infestation simply sat on a surface and grew, it might cause you and your loved ones no health worries whatsoever. Unfortunately, mold takes to air to reproduce itself, releasing spores that are all too easy to inhale. Some lucky individuals don’t respond to mold spores. For others who are sensitive the spores, allergic reactions such as eye/throat/skin irritation, sneezing, runny nose and watery eyes and occur. More alarming symptoms may occur in people who already have compromised immune systems or respiratory ailments. These people face an elevated risk of:

• Asthma attacks or shortness of breath
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a lung inflammation that may scar the lung tissue
• Memory loss
• Nerve damage and neuropathy

When DIY Mold Removal Is a Bad Idea

If you’re looking at a small, isolated, easily-accessed patch of mold, you can most likely get rid of it with bleach by yourself. But if you’re sensitive to mold’s effects, you’re much better off leaving the mold removal to the professionals instead of kicking up spores all over the house. This is especially true in situations such as:

• Mold taking up residence in your HVAC ductwork
• Areas of mold infestation over 10 square feet in size
• Mold that has infused wooden beams or panels
• Mold hiding behind drywall or other surfaces
• Mold that developed as a result of flooding (which may involve contaminated water)

These are some of the instances in which it makes good sense to contact Zona Restoration. Our mold remediation experts in the Phoenix, AZ valley can remove your mold infestation safely and effectively. Protect both your home and your health by contacting us today!