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| New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina: Mold infestations in bedroom of home in Carrollton neighborhood. House did not flood and had minor exterior damage, but small leaks during the storm plus being vacant for weeks resulted in homeowners returning to this scene. Photo by Infrogmation (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Molds
are everywhere! We can find them both indoors and outdoors and they
are naturally occurring in order to break down materials.. When mold
attaches to organic matter including construction materials like wood
and drywall it will gradually eat away at the host. When molds are
present in large amounts they can also present health issues such as
allergic reactions and respiratory difficulties.
In
the most severe cases of mold contamination, spores become air borne
and can be inhaled by the residents of the property leading to a
range of problems including respiratory failure, asthma, infections
and a number of other health concerns. Just as mold can break down
structural components, so too can it break down the human body.
Spores
are usually found in damp areas of a property, and is usually a
result of water damage. We are in fact exposed to mold on a daily
basis without any real harm. However, in people with existing health
concerns even a small amount of mold can be a problem. A good rule of
thumb is that if you see or smell mold, then have it taken care of as
soon as you can. Some molds can produce toxins called mycotoxins,
exposure to which can present a substantial risk to health. These
toxins are present in both living and non-living mold spores.
If
you call in a mold remediation expert, they will begin by carrying
out mold testing. This will include taking air samples and surface
samples to determine the types of molds which are present in your
home. It is very important to know the type and the toxicity level of
molds in your home so that the professional technician can decide
which approach he should take to remediation. Removing the surface
growth is not enough, the underlying cause of the mold growth must
also be addressed otherwise there will be ongoing regrowth problems
in your property.
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