Awaab Ishak, a two-year old boy, died in 2020 because of a prolonged exposure to mold in his apartment. Despite the fact that his dad complained about the mold for years, he was told to ignore it and simply cover it up with paint. The entire apartment was covered in a dark mold years before the boy’s death.
This scary story shows just how dangerous mold can be if left unchecked. Mold can easily grow in moist conditions, and is especially common in homes with a lot of humidity. You’ve probably noticed mold in your home at some point, whether it’s on those dirty leftovers you forgot to clean, or growing near your window.
Mold is a type of fungus which spreads through spores in the air. This living organism is estimated to have over 100,000 different types. Not all mold is harmful to humans, though. Mold growing in your house may be a problem, especially if you or someone you live with is vulnerable to it.
What do you need to know about mold and how can you manage it in your home?
What Exactly Is Mold?
Mold is a curious type of organism that's hard to identify, but belongs to the kingdom of fungi. It's found everywhere within the natural world, where mold serves the purposes of breaking down old and decaying organic matter so that it can be recycled.
Mold reproduces via tiny spores that float in the air, with the capability of settling down to form colonies within 24 hours.
It's quite amazing when you think about it! Molds are nature's little helpers!
Mold infestations become a problem when they take root in your home, though. Attracted to moist and wet spaces, there are more than 100,000 species of known mold.
This mold usually takes hold in moist areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and around windows.
Once present, these microorganisms form huge networks, causing a multitude of respiratory and other health problems in humans.
Some of the most common molds that grow indoors include:
- Aspergillus — This mold is very common both indoors and outdoors. Usually, people can breathe in aspergillus spores with no problems, but certain people are vulnerable to getting allergic reactions and even lung infections.
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Stachybotrys — Often known as black mold, this mold commonly grows on wood and drywall. This is one of the most deadly types of mold.
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Mucormycetes — A type of “fuzzy mold” that often grow on fruits and vegetables.
How Does Mold Affect Your Health?
If mold starts growing in your house, it may affect your health. When mold spores enter your house, they can also produce mycotoxins and allergens. Mold particles might cause breathing difficulties or coughing. If the mold isn’t that serious, it may just cause a bit of coughing, but some mold can be much more dangerous.
Aspergillosis is a health problem caused by aspergillus mold which can vary in severity depending on the person. It can cause breathing difficulties and lung problems, affect your nose, coughing, and cause you to lose weight.
Those exposed to mold for long periods of time may also experience a fever, nausea, fatigue, and irritated eyes and skin.
As we have seen, in extreme cases, mold can even be fatal.
Who’s Most Vulnerable to Mold?
Mold doesn’t affect everyone equally. Some people can be exposed to mold for a long time without any health complications, while others may be greatly at risk.
Some people might be allergic to mold, which means that they’ll have allergic reactions to mold such as watery eyes, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. If you do have a mold allergy, it’s extremely important to keep mold out of your home. You may also be prescribed medications, just like with other allergies.
People with asthma are also vulnerable to mold as they already have breathing problems, and mold can only make that worse.
Those with weakened immune systems, lung problems, or HIV are also especially vulnerable to mold infections.
How to Get Rid of Mold
Have you noticed a patch of mold growing in your home and are wondering how to get rid of it? There’s one simple thing to remember. Mold loves moisture and humidity, so if you deal with the moisture, the mold will leave.
Mold may appear in places with leaks, such as a burst pipe. In that situation, you’ll need to take care of the leak, and then the mold should die on its own. If you notice that your walls are wet, try to get it fixed as soon as possible.
If you live in a humid area, consider getting a dehumidifier to keep the mold at bay. Make sure to use exhaust vent fans so moisture doesn’t build up in your home.
Already have mold in your home? Try using rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or even special cleaners made to kill mold and brush it down with a cloth. If your walls are full of black mold, though, you won’t be able to get rid of it yourself, and you’ll need to call a professional. You may even want to consider moving if mold is a persistent problem in your area.
It’s vital to get rid of mold as soon as it pops up, instead of letting it spread all over your walls. Try to find the source of the mold. If you have mold building up around a leaky pipe, get it fixed.
As long as you keep your moisture and humidity levels in check, you shouldn’t have to worry about mold. If you do live with mold, however, it is absolutely crucial to deal with the problem promptly. A little boy’s death has shown us what can happen if mold is not taken care of. This tragedy can no longer be prevented, but we can all learn from it, and make sure it does not happen again.