Mold and Your Health Sharon Varn

[Guest guest]

Mold and Your Health

Schradin

WSAV News 3

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

WSAV Savannah Ga.

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Sharon Varn is an Indoor Air Quality Expert with the Chatham County

Health Department. She says, " Mold means water problems, that is the

real key. "

It can start as a leak under your sink or in your heating or air

conditioning unit, and grows into a much bigger problem.

" This is one of the time of year when we hear people calling in and

saying, I think I may have a mold in my house because I smell a

musty odor, " says Varn

She says, most mold problems can be avoided or even repaired if

caught quickly.

" Re-glaze those windows, caulk those windows, put up storm windows -

if possible. Double pane windows, upgrade the things that allow

water in, " says Varn.

Having your air conditioning and heating units checked each year and

replacing filters can also help avoid problems.

Winter is a great time to check the outside of your house and make

changes to prevent mold growth.

Make sure your landscaping slants away from your crawlspace or

foundation, and keep shrubbery a few feet away from your house, so

air can flow. Mold that grows under the home can spread to floors

and behind walls.

The longer mold exists, the more dangerous it can be. Black mold

grows after long term leaks and resembles soot.

If you find this problem you'll need a professional to remove it

properly.

Allergist, Doctor Wasil Kahn, suggests you invest in a dehumidifier

to remove moisture from your home. He says a vacuum with a hepa

filter can also trap harmful spores. If you are allergic to mold,

forget about an indoor aquarium, which only adds moisture to the

air.

For more information about mold and your home - go to this link.

Http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldbasics.html

According to the EPA

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a

part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen

leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.

Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to

the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may

begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are

wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow

without water or moisture.

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on

a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to

cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can

cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially

toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold

spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as

sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic

reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed.

Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are

allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes,

skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic

people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not

commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and

health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview;

it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold

exposure. For more detailed information consult a health

professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local

health department.

For more information about how mold allergies can affect you go to:

http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/s/search.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E & b=34706