Is Mold A Preventable Health Hazard?
If the thought of mold has crossed your mind, it is usually negative as the thought of mold irks everyone. Although mold can be good as is it is needed in the making of cheese such as brie and antibiotics like penicillin, it can be a health hazard once it starts to develop in different areas of your office or home.
Molds are a type of fungus. There consists of many kinds of fungus and can take place both outdoors and indoors.
Spores come from molds, which can increase the moment they start flying around in the air. They are there in all indoor spaces, and it is impossible to take prevention measures against spores as they can continue to develop in environments where mold itself is unable to grow.
Why is Mold an Issue?
The spread of mold spores can take place simply and it is a problem that is very hard to get rid of. It can grow on any type of surface be it on ceiling tiles, carpets, the backside of dry wall and on areas inside walls around leaking pipes. It can also be very costly during its removal process and can bring about irritants and allergens that can put your health at risk. With that being said, it is important that you find out more about mold developing in common areas around you.
The most effective way in the prevention of mold before it escalates into a bigger problem would lie in moisture control. Here are some tips that you could take note of to stop moisture indoors and mold that develops in these conditions.
- Wet Areas Should Be Dried Instantly
Wet areas should be dried immediately as moisture is a catalyst for mold to further develop. The infiltration caused by heavy rainfalls or even slight spillage on a carpet should be dried within 24 to 48 hours. Materials that cannot be dried fully should be removed. This includes carpets that have been damaged by water, or different types of furniture. Mold can spread very quickly in moist environments.
- Stock Up On Mold-Resistant Products
It is important to stock up on mold-resistant products such as mold-resistant Sheetrock or drywall. This is because regular drywall is made up of a gypsum plaster core pressured between paper plies. There are different mold-resistant products available on the market. Drywall that is unsusceptible to moisture helps in spaces that tend to be moist, such as bathrooms or pantries. Keeping that in mind, drywall that is mold-resistant is paperless and is exceptionally resistant to water.
- Ensure Proper Air Flow
The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States states that air can contain a lesser amount of moisture if it has a low temperature. With proper air ventilation in common areas around you, additional moisture will not pop up on the windows, walls and floors. To improve the air flow, doors between rooms should be kept open and furniture should not be placed close to walls. This is so that natural air can circulate around the room, bringing down the moisture level which helps to keep mold away.
What You Can Do
Now that you are fully aware if mold is a preventable health hazard, it is time to consult a professional to ensure that mold is not present around you. Here at Iris Environmental Laboratories, we believe that providing professional asbestos and mold testing services is the way to go. Having been in operation for over 20 years, we are extremely well-versed with mold and asbestos. We believe that the needs of our clients should always be prioritized. Do contact us today or for more information!
