![]() Most homeowners believe that as long as they do not see visible signs of mould i.e. patches of green, blue, or black discoloration on surfaces, their environment is free of mould contamination. What they don't realize, however, is that large accumulations of hidden or concealed mould may be growing in areas that they cannot see, like air ducts, remote attic or basement spaces, or wall cavities. Left to multiply, these infestations may produce enough organic compounds to cause allergic reactions, sickness and, in extreme cases, death (a possibility with infants).
Moulds are those patches we often see on leftover food like bread, fruits and cheese. Sometimes they can also be found spreading on old books kept on our shelves, and other things in the home, which are exposed to damp. These variously coloured patches, which are often taken for granted, can cause millions of dollars worth of losses to properties and worse, is hazardous to your health.
Extensive indoor mould contamination can cause very high and persistent airborne spore exposures. Persons exposed to high spore levels can become sensitized and develop allergies. Health problems caused by moulds can range from mild to severe allergic reactions and infections. Poisons produced by moulds, called mycotoxins, can cause a myriad of disorders, from irritation to cancer and genetic mutation.
Fifty percent [50%] of homes contain problem moulds. A new medical study attributes nearly 100% of chronic sinus infections to moulds. A 300% increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years has been linked to moulds.Exposure to certain types of fungi, known as toxic mould, can cause a serious [allergic] reaction. If you are unlucky, this is the kind of mould you have. If you're really unlucky, the toxic mould will gird for battle and go to war, secreting mycotoxins, which can find their way into the body, through the nose, mouth, and skin, lodging perhaps in the digestive tract, lungs, or the brain. Among these toxins are trichothecenes, which were rumored to have been used as a biological weapon during the wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam...
All moulds have the potential to cause health effects. Moulds can produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to mould. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants. Mould growth can damage furnishings, such as carpets, sofas and cabinets. Clothes and shoes stored in damp cupboards can become contaminated. In time, unchecked mould growth can cause serious damage to the structural elements in your home.
Even if mould in your doesn't cause you any problems, if it becomes established in the wood in, 'dry rot' may form. Dry rot can result in a homeowner's nightmare. When the mould dies, the wood dries and then shrinks, breaking up into irregular chunks. Cracks in the wood fiber then act like straws, siphoning up moisture and carrying it to undamaged portions of the wood. Left unchecked, this process keeps recurring, continually rotting more wood, and can cause severe structural damage to your home. Mould problems have become more prevalent because of the increased use of cheaper building materials like plasterboard and plywood, which are more prone to growing mould when wet ... Mould, as always, is spreading. But so is mould litigation, to the consternation of the insurance industry. Recently a State Court in Austin, Texas, awarded Melinda Ballard and her family $32.1 million in a case involving allegedly extensive mould damage to their Dripping Springs, Texas, home. The jury ruled that Farmers Group had failed to properly address Ms. Ballard's original water-damage and mould claim and committed fraud in its handling of her claim
The dangers from moulds are not just confined to house or properties. Their harmful products, mycotoxins, are becoming more and more prevalent in our environment. Some mycotoxins have been used to good effect - like penicillin, the first antibiotic, which is sourced from moulds. Now, mould toxins are being considered not only for their therapeutic potentials, harmful moulds, mould particles and products are now utilized by science and technology, ostensibly to benefit humankind, despite the risk and gamble on unforeseen consequences.
Mould, if left unchecked, can and will cause health or building structural problems - or both. Mould will only grow where the right conditions exist i.e. Dampness or High Humidity, a Food Source such as Leather, Wood, Paper etc and Viable Mould Spores in the atmosphere. Conditions, which are commonly found here in the Middle East. Cutting out one or more of these conditions, such as finding and repairing the cause of the dampness and then cleaning and sanitising the infected areas will kill off the mould growth.
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