Health Effects of Mold

Mold can hide anywhere and can cause major health effects if it isn’t taken care of.

Whether you see it or not, many homes around the world have a mold problem. From that moldy potato that is hidden in your pantry to the black mold that is hidden behind your washing machine, there are plenty of places for mold to hid around your home. But you don’t have to see the mold for it to cause you health problems. But what kind of health problems can these fungus cause? Read on to find out.

The Mild Health Effects of Mold

The type of health effects and the severity of them vary widely based on the different types of household mold that could be hiding in your home. Although it is difficult to predict the health affects you may be suffering from, some common health problems include:

Nasal and sinus congestion
Chest tightness
Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
Cough
Sore throat
Asthma
Epistaxis or nosebleeds
Upper respiratory tract infections
Headaches
Skin and eye irritation.

Some grounds of people like infants, children, the elderly, individuals with allergies or asthma, and people with compromised immune systems may develop these problems sooner and with more severity than others.

The Severe Health Effects of Mold

While these health effects may seem mild, the longer you are in the presence of mold, the worse these health effects become. Some severe health effects of mold include:

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis– an inflammation of the alveoli within the lung, which is caused by hypersensitivity to inhaled dust.
Pulmonary fibrosis– a respiratory disease which scars the formed lung tissues, leading to serious breathing problems.
Pulmonary injury– a condition in which fluid collects in the lungs’ air sacs and deprives the organ of oxygen.
Hemosiderosis (bleeding)
Neurotoxicity– toxicity of the nervous system.
Hematologic and immunologic disorders
Hepatic, endocrine and/or renal toxicities
Pregnancy, gastrointestinal and/or cardiac conditions

Mold exposure has also been linked to different types of cancers. The sooner you find and eliminate the mold from your home, the better off you and your family will be.

There are many different health effects when it comes to mold exposure. For more information on mold testing and mold remediation in your home, call Environmental Consulting and Contracting Group today!