Causes: Moisture is the key factor for mold growth. Millions of mold spores are always in the air. They sometimes attach themselves to a surface and form a colony if environmental conditions are right. The colony is commonly known as mold. Unventilated areas of a house with moisture and stale air are breeding grounds for mold. Mold can form in cold temperatures, which is why it can be found in refrigerators. But it prefers temperatures between 40 to 100 degrees.
Health Concerns: Mold fumes are harmful to breathe and exposure can cause allergies and asthma. That is especially true for people susceptible to those ailments. Mold produces organisms called mycotoxins which can also cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose throat and lungs. The symptoms can be immediate or appear later.
Preventing Mold: There is no way to prevent the amount of mold spores in the house. But it is possible to control the amount of moisture and lessen the chance of the spores forming colonies. Keep the humidity level in the house between 30 and 50 percent.Fix any water leaks and dry water-damaged areas within 24 to 48 hours. Be sure to have excellent drainage around the perimeter of the house. Be sure your basement and crawl area are well ventilated. It is also important to keep gutters clean to prevent water from entering through the roof.
