Don’t Let Mold Impact the Air Quality of Your Living Space

Mold is found everywhere outdoors – on trees, leaves, and anywhere there is moisture on organic material. When mold allergens are high, people may experience allergy symptoms similar to the allergy symptoms of people who are allergic to pollen. However, when mold grows inside, the fungus can affect the air quality of your home and pose serious health and comfort problems. Because people spend most of their time inside, it is important to make sure that your home’s air quality is keeping you and your family healthy and happy.

Mold is an Indoor Air Pollutant  

Indoor air pollutants are elements that negatively affect the air quality inside a home or commercial building. Dust, pet dander, and hair styling products are common indoor air pollutants that most households have endured at some point or another. However, these pollutants are usually not a problem until there is a lot.

Mold is very similar. Moldy foods or a little bit of mold in the bathroom grout may not pose a threat to the air quality in your home, but when it grows and spreads, it becomes dangerous.  The biggest problem with mold, however, is that it is not always visible. A patch of mold on the wall may look small, but it could be a sign of mold growth in other parts of your home that are not normally seen.

Mold Spores Travel Through the Air

Outdoor mold spores can travel into your home through open doors, your ventilation system, or even by attaching themselves to clothes or pets. The naked eye cannot see these mold spores, but they are present. Once the mold spore finds a suitable living space – a place with moisture and organic material – it can grow and eventually spread.

One of the fastest ways mold circulates through your home is through your air ducts. Moisture, as well as organic material, get trapped in air ducts, allowing mold growth to occur and spread throughout the home. To prevent mold and other pollutants from harming the quality of your air, be sure to have a specialist thoroughly clean your air ducts before any serious health problems occur.

Signs That Mold Is Affecting Your Air Quality

The health effects of mold exposure in the home can vary from person to person. While some may experience less severe symptoms, others may develop greater health problems. Like dust and pet dander, mold growth affects people with allergies, weakened immune systems, or pre-existing respiratory problems the most. Symptoms of mold exposure include:

• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Coughing
• Throat irritation
• Difficulty breathing
• Headaches
• Mood changes

In addition to the health problems that come to mold exposure in the air, people may also notice a musty scent and stuffy environment. If you experience any of these problems, the cause could be mold.

Need an Air Quality Test? Call CLEAR Restoration Today

An air quality test can help you avoid long-term exposure to mold, which can trigger different health problems. Be sure you receive an air quality test from a reputable company so that you get accurate results and avoid a  scam that will have you paying for services you don’t need.

For more information, contact the mold remediation experts at CLEAR Restoration in Baton Rouge today!