Mould
Mould spores are a potent allergen which can trigger severe asthma and rhinitis symptoms and can cause repertory conditions. Mould occurs both indoors and outdoors and the density of mould spores in the air is normally much higher than that of pollen grains. Mould and damp go together, so your first key step in keeping the mould count under control is to ensure you tackle any damp in the home. Another important step is to capture mould spores in the air, to prevent them from settling anew in your home.
To eliminate mould in your home make sure to:
- Keep humidity low
- Remove mould and treat the area with AllerMold Mould Spray
- Capture mould spores with an air purifier
- Use Allergy Dust Sprays to clean your home
Top Mould Fighting Products:
AllerMold Mould Spray
The Allersearch AllerMold Mould Spray has been developed to treat and fight mould in your home. This ready to use spray works effectively on contact and safely prevents all surfaces from the manifestation and growth of mould. Click here to learn more: AllerMold Mould Spray
Allergy Air Purifier
Mould can cause severe allergic and asthmatic reactions, and long term exposure can pose a serious health threat. To limit your exposure to mould in the air in your home and prevent new mould from growing, you should make sure to use an allergy air purifiers: Allergy Air Purifier
FAQ about Mould:
- What is mould?
- What is black mould?
- What is Aspergillus?
- What symptoms and health problems does mould cause?
- Where does mould gather in the home?
- What is the best way of preventing indoor mould?
- How is mould removed?
- How do I avoid mould outdoors?
- Will an air purifier get rid of mould?
What is mould?
Moulds are small, multi-celled fungi. Mushrooms are also fungi, as are yeasts. A mould reproduces through its spores, which are like the seeds of a plant. Mould spores, sometimes also called fungal spores, are light (diameter between one and 100 microns, depending on species, with most being between 2 and 10 microns) and are therefore readily carried through the air of your home or office. Moulds come in a variety of colours: white, grey, orange, green, pink and black. Some are invisible.
What is black mould?
The most common types of black mould are Stachybotrys chartarum which is often mistaken for ordinary household dirt and the dark-coloured Alternataria mould which often lurks in your bathroom. Aspergillus niger is dark brown and often responsible for those mould patches on damp walls.
What is Aspergillus?
Aspergillus is a group of moulds which is very widely distributed worldwide, especially in the Northern hemisphere and in the latter half of the year. Aspergillus is found in locations such as compost heaps.
What symptoms and health problems does mould cause?
Inhalation of mould spores can cause: Severe asthma attacks Eye, nose and throat irritation Coughing, wheezing Impaired lung functioning Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) which is an allergy to the spores of Aspergillus fumigatus. Around 5% of adults with asthma develop ABPA at some time during their lives.
Where does mould gather in the home?
Mould loves damp conditions, so you will tend to find it in: Bathrooms (especially on tiles, shower curtains) Kitchens On windowsills Cellars and basements where ventilation is limited In rooms with lots of plants, because mould live on the soil Farms, holiday cottages Any unheated room (a guest bedroom, spare room, cellar or basement, for instance) Old houses Bedrooms containing wardrobes full of old clothes (check for the smell of mildew) Any building near water where the air is sure to be damp Buildings being renovated – old wood harbours vast numbers of mould spores Rooms with lots of plants – there are moulds growing on the soil, though they may not be visible Rooms with humidifiers.
What is the best way of preventing indoor mould?
Keep your home or office well-ventilated and dry, and discourage the dispersal of mould spores, as follows: Deal with any cracks, leaks, or rising damp. When you are cooking, close the kitchen door and open a window. Dry clothes outside wherever possible. Don't have a carpet in your bathroom. Try to avoid the use of fans or fan heaters as these stir up dust containing mould spores. Dust and vacuum regularly. Check the shower head very regularly and keep it clean. Replace the shower curtain regularly. Get rid of old furniture that smells of mildew Never sleep in a room with visible mould. A live Christmas tree has mould growing on its needles, which release spores in the warmth of the house. Consider having an artificial tree instead. Deal with clogged guttering which could otherwise lead to water overflow running down outside walls and penetrating indoors. Check windows regularly – are there loose or badly maintained window frames? Don't leave rotting food and fruit around. Use fruit and vegetables promptly (the added bonus is that you get more of their nutritional value this way). Food kept in plastic bags is more prone to develop mould so always remove from the bag to store. Always clean work surfaces of any food debris. Avoid handling old clothes and old books – especially if you can actually smell the mildew. Wash the bottom of your kitchen rubbish bin regularly. Check inside and under the freezer and fridge, especially in the rubber door seals where black mould can collect. Be aware that building works, and household cleaning, can stir up mould spores, so keep away at these times if you are allergic. If you use a basement room, consider installing a new damp-resistant floor or building an inner masonry wall to protect from damp. A powerful dehumidifier or air-conditioning unit may be a cheaper alternative. Do keep the room warm with storage heaters. Check out any possible leakage – from a washing machine, for instance – which might be contributing to the damp. If you are allergic to mould, you should not dust, vacuum, sweep, or make beds until the above measures have reduced the mould burden in the house.
How is mould removed?
A mixture of bleach and water, a mixture of white spirit and surgical spirit, or a specialised anti-fungal spray can be used to get rid of mould patches. If you have an extensive mould problem, you may need specialist advice. Mould tends to come back, so you may have to repeat your cleaning operations.
How do I avoid mould outdoors?
Mould lives in soil and on decaying plant matter like dead and dying trees and plants, fallen fruit, straw and hay. Spore counts tend to be at their highest in the autumn months and there will always be more of them around in damp climates. Short of moving to a desert or semi-arid area (which will likely solve the problem but may not be practical) you could try to avoid: Cereal crop fields in late summer, especially at harvest time when harvesters disperse mould spores on cereal leaves into the surrounding air. Springs, waterfalls and anywhere damp or shady. Compost heaps, greenhouses, piles of dead leaves. Collecting fruit, mowing grass, dead-heading plants. Watering the garden.
Will an air purifier get rid of mould?
An air purifier fitted with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter like the hospital grade filter found in the IQAir® HealthPro 250 or HealthPro 150 will trap mould spores. But use of an air purifier must be coupled with seeking out and tackling any sources of damp. Other weapons in your fight against mould could include a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter.
Further information
World Health Organisation information on the health effects of mould http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/78636/Damp_Mould_Brochure.pdfhttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/air/in/poll/mould-moisissure/what-quoi-eng.php The Aspergillus website www.aspergillosis.org.uk
