Mold is a hidden menace in homes and buildings, and this goes unnoticed until it begins to cause havoc. It prefers warm and humid conditions and can spread on any surface ranging from walls, floors, ceilings, carpets, and furniture.
Although most people consider mold as a mere problem, it is important to understand that mold can result in significant IAQ and health problems for the occupants. In this article, we will review the effects of mold on IAQ, the consequences on health, and possible ways to avoid mold formation.
How Mold Growth Occurs
Mold spores are everywhere—both indoors and outdoors. However, they are only trouble when they are humid and settle on a moist surface to breed. Mold growth typically occurs in areas with excess moisture, including:
- Basements or crawl spaces with poor ventilation
- Bathrooms with inadequate exhaust fans
- Kitchens where steam and condensation accumulate
- Around windows, especially those prone to condensation
- Leaky roofs or plumbing fixtures
Mold will grow more actively if the average humidity in the room is above 60% and may start to grow in as little as 24 to 48 hours after water exposure. When mold colonies develop, the mold starts releasing spores into the indoor environment, leading to poor IAQ and occupant health.
Mold and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Interior air quality involves the quality of the air that prevails indoors within homes, offices, or other buildings. Mold contributes a lot to IAQ pollution because it spreads spores and mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds produced by particular types of molds.
How Mold Affects IAQ:
Release of Mold Spores:
Molds are microscopic fungal spores that can easily become airborne. Indoor mold produces spores that are circulated through the house either through the HVAC or on their own and deposit themselves in other areas.
Production of Mycotoxins:
Some mold species, including Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold), can produce mycotoxins. These are poisonous compounds that may cause harm when taken internally or inhaled or when in contact with human skin.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):
Molds emit vapors called microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for the characteristic smells of mold growth. Regular exposure to mVOCs causes illness, which includes headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems, among other ailments.
Airborne Mold Spores and Air Quality Testing
While the physical presence of mold may not be visible within walls under the floor or in the attic, the spores from the mold can be airborne and negatively impact air quality. This is why air quality testing should be used to indicate the presence of mold regardless of the absence of the mold’s physical manifestation.
Mold sampling is the process of taking samples of the indoor air in a building to check for evidence of mold spores.
Any experienced mold inspector will first determine the outside air quality and compare it to the inside air quality as a standard. When there are high concentrations of the spores indoors compared to outdoors, this is an indication of mold presence.
Health Risks Associated with Mold Exposure
Some individuals have a higher sensitivity to mold compared to others, and this is especially so for people with health issues like asthma, allergies, or weak immune systems. Nevertheless, this can happen even to healthy people, especially when they are exposed to mold for a long time.
Mold prevention Strategies
A major factor that results in mold formation is moisture. Even though mold spores are present everywhere, preventive strategies can reduce the chances of their growth in your house in case of excess moisture.
Mold Prevention Tips:
Maintain Proper Humidity Levels:
Always make sure to maintain indoor relative humidity below 50%, especially in places that are likely to harbor dampness. Turning on a dehumidifier can help prevent mold in humid areas such as basements or any crawl space.
Fix Leaks and Dr ps Immediately:
Whether it is a roof leak, a window leak, or a leaking pipe, the leakage should be fixed immediately. Small-scale leakages must also be treated as a serious issue because they can gradually encourage the growth of mold.
Use Ventilation in High-Humidity Areas:
Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry are common places where moisture in the house is likely to develop. It is, therefore, important to make these areas well drained by the use of exhaust fans to expel steam and moisture.
Dry Wet Areas Promptly:
If a floor or any other part of your home is flooded or has some spillage, it should be dried within 48 hours. Mold can develop within this period, so appropriate action should be taken immediately.
Insulate Windows and Walls:
Water stains on ceilings and floors or even wet walls often lead to the formation of molds. When done appropriately, insulation plays a crucial role in maintaining indoor temperatures and prevents humid conditions that promote mold formation.
Monitor Your HVAC System:
HVAC systems are a common pathway for mold spores to spread throughout a home. Regular HVAC maintenance and duct cleaning help reduce the accumulation of mold spores in the system.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts:
Clogged gutters can lead to water accumulation around the foundation of your home, which can eventually seep into the walls or basement, encouraging mold growth.
Conclusion
There are many potential effects of mold growth on indoor air quality and health. If allowed to linger for long, mold acts as a threat to the structure of homes, besides triggering respiratory illnesses, allergies, and other complications in the long run.
It is, therefore, important that homeowners take time and make efforts to understand how mold affects indoor air and what can be done to prevent mold from growing in the first place so as to improve the families’ health.
If you want an expert opinion on your indoor environment in terms of mold or if you are worried about your indoor air quality, contact Well Home Solutions for mold inspection, testing, and eradication.
Visit us at https://wellhomesolutions.net to learn more and schedule an appointment with our team of mold experts.
