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Molds are living organisms that grow in damp places in your home.
They stain or discolor surfaces and smell musty. There are hundreds
of thousands of different types of mold.
Mold can grow almost anywhere: on walls, ceilings, carpets, or
furniture. Humidity or wetness, caused by water leaks, spills from
bathtubs or showers, or condensation, can cause mold to grow in
your home.
Mold spores are tiny particles that float through the air. These
can sometimes cause health problems. Mold does not affect everyone,
and different people are affected differently when mold is breathed
or inhaled.
People with allergies to mold may get:
- Watery eyes
- Runny or stuffed noses
- Itching
- Headaches
- Difficulty breathing
Mold can also trigger asthma attacks.
Some molds produce toxins (poisons) that may be hazardous if people
are exposed to large amounts of these molds. Mold spores and related
mycotoxins can also pose a serious health threat to individuals
who have compromised immune systems.
What can you do?
To prevent and get rid of mold:
- Keep
your house clean and dry.
- Fix
water problems such as roof leaks, wet basements, and leaking
pipes or faucets.
- Make
sure your home is well ventilated and always use ventilation fans
in bathrooms and kitchens.
- If
possible, keep humidity in your house below 50% by using an air
conditioner or dehumidifier.
- Avoid
using carpeting in areas of the home that may become wet, such
as kitchens, bathrooms and basements.
- Dry
floor mats regularly.
To find mold that might be growing in your home:
- Search for moisture in areas that have a damp or moldy smell,
especially in basements, kitchens and bathrooms.
- Look for water stains or colored, fuzzy growth on and around
ceilings, walls, floors, windowsills and pipes.
- If
you smell a musty odor, search behind and underneath materials
such as carpeting, furniture or stored items.
- Inspect kitchens, bathrooms and basements for standing water,
water stains and patches of out-of-place color.
To control moisture problems and mold:
- Fix any water problems immediately and clean or remove wet materials,
furnishings or mold.
- Clean up spills or floods within one day. If practical, take
furniture that has been wet outside to dry and clean. Direct sunlight
prevents mold growth.
- Dry all surfaces and fix the problem or leak to prevent further
damage.
- Install a dehumidifier when a moisture problem is evident or
when the humidity is high.
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