Indoor Air Quality
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Biological Pollutants
Mold spores in indoor air has been identified as a health hazard to occupants. Some spores have the potential to trigger allergic reactions, while others evoke toxic responses.
Mold allergy symptoms can be triggered through inhalation of spores, skin contact with mold growth and by swallowing toxic fungi on spoiled food. The airborne spores can cause symptoms such as: nose and sinus congestion, skin and eye irritation, sore throat and breathing difficulties.
Most toxic reaction are the result of eating contaminated food. Some of the toxins, mycotoxins, however, can be present in mold spores. Mold growth is unhealthy for everyone, but is of most concern for children, the elderly and people with respiratory disorders and a compromised immune system.
Mold is a fungus and part of the plant family. It plays an important part in the breakdown of organic matter, such as leaves, wood and plant material. Without molds, the debris would accumulate and eventually overwhelm the environment.
This gives us also a clue on where they normally live: in the soil and on dead organic matter. Blue mold grows on food and is used to produce blue cheese and penicillin.
Some fungi like to feed and breed indoors, as long as there is moisture, oxygen and a food source. They love damp and dark places: behind wallpaper, moist brick and concrete walls, windowsills, bathroom furniture, mattresses, under carpets, in drain pans of refrigerators and air conditioners, the list is endless. In short, they can live on about anything organic as long as there is some moisture. This makes it very difficult to get rid of them.
Mold (US English) - Mould (UK English)
