| Although there has been much information in the | | | | humidity levels can raise and cause mold growth. |
| news lately about ‘toxic mold,’ this | | | | In addition to mold growth, high humidity (above |
| severe mold presence is less of a typical health | | | | 50%) can lead to increased dust mite growth and |
| threat than common indoor and outdoor molds. | | | | associated increases in dust mite allergens. Dust |
| With a large number of varieties, molds are one | | | | mites also enjoy a warm, damp environment and |
| of the most widespread organisms. From spring | | | | to keep levels low of these two indoor allergens, |
| through fall in northern states or year-round in | | | | humidity levels should be kept below 50% and |
| warm weather states, you may come into | | | | ideally no higher than 35% - 40%. Make sure |
| contact with outdoor molds that cause seasonal | | | | to monitor levels with a humidity gauge in order |
| allergies. When mowing the lawn, raking leaves, | | | | to understand how much humidity is in your |
| playing sports or taking part in other outdoor | | | | home. Monitoring humidity is important in the |
| activities, you may experience typical allergy | | | | warm weather months, but can be equally |
| symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, water | | | | important during the winter if you are introducing |
| eyes and more. When it comes to indoor molds, | | | | moisture into the air by using humidifiers. Make |
| you may be surprised to learn that common | | | | sure to keep track of the moisture output from |
| molds are normally found in all homes. In this | | | | your humidifier in order to make sure that |
| edition of the Allergy Control Products series on | | | | humidity levels year-round are in a targeted |
| “The Secret to Living with Allergies,” | | | | range. |
| allergy tips for controlling mold in your home and | | | | Step 3: The Route to Mold Allergy Relief is |
| reducing mold allergies will be outlined. | | | | Found with Steps to Tackle Common Household |
| Step 1: Toxic Mold vs. Common Molds. Which is | | | | Molds |
| the Typical Cause of Mold Allergy Symptoms? | | | | According to the American Academy of Allergy, |
| “Toxic black mold’ has made headlines, | | | | Asthma & Immunology’s (AAAAI) tips for |
| with photos of uninhabitable houses and discussion | | | | indoor allergens, it is relatively easy to eliminate |
| of severe health repercussions. As the Centers | | | | indoor mold and mildew once these allergy-causing |
| for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | | | | sources are found and treated. And, as Dr. |
| explains, the molds themselves are not toxic or | | | | Portnoy indicates in the Mold Allergy article |
| poisonous. These molds should be considered as | | | | produced by the ACAAI, “The best known |
| the same allergy-causing mold as common molds | | | | management of indoor fungal contamination is |
| found in your house, and any mold-contamination | | | | prevention.” To prevent mold growth, watch |
| inside a building or home should be addressed. In | | | | for damp areas where molds can spread. |
| an article, “Mold Allergy a Bigger Health | | | | Control mold growth by increasing ventilation in |
| Concern than Toxic Mold,” from the American | | | | damp areas and using exhaust fans to air out the |
| College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology | | | | dampness. In dry months, open the windows to |
| (ACAAI), Dr. Jay Portnoy, M.D. of the | | | | release moisture, but in warm months, try to |
| Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, | | | | avoid opening windows to air out your house as |
| Missouri, is quoted as saying that “Although | | | | this step can lead to molds or pollens entering |
| toxic mold has received much media attention | | | | through the open windows. |
| lately, toxic reactions caused by fungal exposure | | | | When you find mold, use a solution containing |
| have not been found to be a significant health | | | | bleach or a mildew-removing cleaner in order to kill |
| problem.” Toxic mold may have been in the | | | | the mold and prevent its regrowth. These mold |
| limelight, however, toxic mold occurrences are | | | | controlling and mildew removing products should |
| rare. It is common molds that are the typical | | | | be used to clean the bathroom, mold on walls or |
| cause of mold allergy symptoms. Molds can be | | | | ceiling, in the basement, around the kitchen or |
| found in most environments, and unlike pollens, | | | | anywhere else in the home where mold has been |
| molds do not have a limited season. Many molds | | | | found. With simple measures for cleaning your |
| multiply by releasing spores into the air, which | | | | home and by keeping moisture areas to a |
| settle elsewhere and create new moldy areas. | | | | minimum, you’ll make great strides toward |
| An even greater number of mold spores than | | | | preventing indoor mold. |
| pollen grains can be in the air, and when you inhale | | | | Additional steps can be equally helpful, including |
| these spores, you can experience allergy | | | | using a dehumidifier in the basement or elsewhere |
| symptoms. | | | | in the home to reduce moisture in the air. |
| Indoor molds spread in areas of your home that | | | | Running your air conditioner lowers humidity and |
| are warm, dark and humid or are poorly | | | | avoids having open windows through which molds |
| ventilated such as showers or basements. | | | | can enter. Keep mold spores from circulating in |
| Moisture and warmth cause molds to spread | | | | the air in your home by using air filters in your |
| more quickly. Controlling humidity and taking | | | | central furnace system, running HEPA air cleaners |
| steps around the home to control molds can help | | | | to filter out mold allergens and destroying mold |
| to avoid triggering allergy symptoms. | | | | spores with air sanitizers or special convection |
| Step 2: When Heat and Humidity are on the | | | | heat units. Make sure to remove moldy items |
| Rise, Keep Humidity Levels Down to Control Mold | | | | and avoid carpets in areas such as the bathroom |
| Growth | | | | or basement. When working outside or indoors |
| Humidity and warmth encourage mold growth, | | | | in musty areas, remember to wear a face mask |
| and humid seasons are the most problematic for | | | | to avoid inhaling mold spores and aggravating your |
| mold allergy sufferers. With warm weather, | | | | allergies. |