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Mold and Dampness cause Health Problems

wtdolch • December 15, 2022

Typical symptoms include:

  • Sneezing
  • Nose, mouth, or throat irritation
  • Irritation of the nose, mouth, or throat
  • Nasal stuffiness and runny nose
  • Red, itchy, or watery eyes

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause a person to become allergic to mold. Molds may trigger asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough in people with known allergies. People who do not have allergies can also become irritated. Studies indicate that exposure to molds in the home can make pre-existing asthma worse. The CDC investigates associations between damp buildings and developing new asthma.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a kind of lung inflammation that occurs when people develop immune system sensitization to inhaled organic dust. Immune system sensitization is similar to an allergy. It can seem like pneumonia, but it does not get better with antibiotics for infection. Symptoms of HP can vary. Some persons have:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Muscle aches
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Night sweats
  • Profound fatigue

These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Lung disease has also occurred in workers who worked in water-damaged buildings with:

  • Roof leaks
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Poorly draining condensation pans
  • High indoor relative humidity

It is due to a person’s immune system reaction to inhaled microorganisms, whether dead or alive. It is possible for workers to have both dampness-related HP and asthma at the same time.

By Bill Dolch December 21, 2024
First - Ban the Broom As you sweep dust, spores and fragments of mold growth become airborne and then begin to settle again. Second - Always Use a Properly Functioning True HEPA Vacuum Cleaner Third - Vacuum From All Directions When vacuuming carpets or area rugs it is important to vacuum from all possible directions. Fourth - Remove and Empty the vacuum collection bag or canister outside Every time the vacuum cleaner bag or collection canister is emptied inside the home some dust will become airborne and resettle back into that home. Fifth - Check to see how much dirt is being missed when you vacuum This check will help you learn how much vacuuming you need to do to be sufficient. Sixth - HEPA Vacuum Before Performing Wet or Damp Cleaning Any time visible dirt is present on a surface it should be thoroughly cleaned by HEPA vacuuming first. Seventh - Clean Hard Surfaces with Microfiber Cleaning Cloths Cleaning with typical rags or towels quickly begin to smear the dirt around on a surface rather than clean it well. Eighth - Monitor How productively You have Cleaned Hard Surfaces Repeat step seven and then look at the wipes. Ninth - Use Common, Safe Household Products for Cleaning productively Tenth - Avoid Dangerous Ineffective Products
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