The Danger In The Air With Mold Growth
Exposure to mold will affect people in different ways, although it is never pleasant. Mold can enter into the body through a number of pathways, although breathing in spores is one of the more common means of contamination. This often happens when residents live in an environment that has excessive mold growth. At AA Action Waterproofing, we find that this is often due to stagnant water that can collect in places like the basement or crawl spaces.
However, handling mold is another vector by which it can infiltrate the human system. In some cases, homeowners may not even realize that they are stirring up mold spores, as not all colonies are visible. This means that even taking items out of basement storage can stir up spores that will now contaminate the rest of the home.
While the long term health effects of mold remain can create allergic reactions within the body, these responses to the spores can become an ongoing issue. Mold and fungal exposure generates secondary metabolites of mycotoxins and beta glucans, which can cause other diseases and can greatly impact long term immune response and sensitivity.
The most commonly reported symptoms of short term mold exposure:
- Sneezing
- Itching skin
- Redness and skin irritation
- Watery eyes
- Itching eyes
- Headaches and migraines
Being in a mold contaminated environment for an extended period of time can result in more severe symptoms:
- Constant headaches
- Nose bleeds
- Feelings of constant fatigue
- Breathing disorders
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
- Skin rashes
- Memory loss
- Ear infections
- Chronic sinus problems
- Chronic bronchitis
- Muscle and joint pain
Even longer exposure can result in conditions such as cancer and may even lead to death. This makes it necessary to address basement dampness before air quality and mold exposure become a health concern. Calling AA Action Waterproofing can evaluate the situation within the home and provide solutions for basement waterproofing that will ultimately affect the well being of the entire household.