How Does Mold Impact Your Health?

While mold is the reason blue cheese and penicillin exist, this fungus in large quantities can damage homes and buildings. Mold thrives in moist environments and usually forms around pipes, windows, or wherever leaks are. This can leave a strong odor or lingering dampness around the house or affected area. Long-term exposure to mold infestations can be detrimental to human health. Although it's a fungus, mold spores are airborne and can spread easily, causing large and pesky infestations.

Symptoms of Mold Exposure in People

Since mold spores can grow in indoor and outdoor settings, chances are an individual has been exposed to at least some contamination from mold spores. Mold infestations can cause serious health issues for people and household pets. However, the effects of mold exposure can vary from person to person. That being said, even the healthiest of people can experience symptoms from prolonged exposure such as wheezing, congestion, or eye irritation. Mold exposure can also cause insomnia, anxiety, or intensify other mental health stressors. People with underlying health conditions such as asthma, immune suppression, or allergies are more prone to severe symptoms such as fever or nausea.

Long-Term Health Implications

Mold spores can produce and spread toxic substances in the air. According to the CDC, recent studies have found a potential link between mold infestations and young children developing asthma. While this has not been entirely proven, people with asthma can still experience irritation from prolonged exposure to mold. Severe mold infestations can also cause lung infections if left untreated. At-risks groups such as pregnant women and the elderly can experience worsening symptoms from mold infestations such as vomiting and bleeding in the lungs.

Call a Mold Inspector

Contact a mold inspection company to pinpoint the source of the infestation. Quickly identifying which mold is present in a home or office building can help mitigate long-term health effects and minimize infrastructural damage. If a person is experiencing severe reactions to mold, allergen tests can be conducted by physicians to determine if they have a mold allergy.

If you suspect there is an infestation in your home or office building in the Boston area, ASAP Environmental, Inc. is here to help. We'll provide a free estimate of your inspection cost over the phone. Call us today at 800-349-7779 or schedule an appointment online to get started.