Even if you do not see them, mold spores are literally everywhere. Since they can have detrimental health effects, it is very important to have some knowledge of mold spores so that you can be able to keep yourself and your family safe. This article provides you with all the information you need to know about mold spores.
Mold Spore Characteristics
In simple terms, mold spores are tiny structures that are produced by molds for reproduction. They have different sizes – from three to 40 microns. This small size allows them easily float in the air without being seen. Mold spores are natural recyclers of the environment, as they feed on dead organic matter like plants and trees. Therefore, mold spores come from land, and other places with vegetation. If you are wondering what do mold spores look like, then you should understand that they are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
How do Mold Spores Cause the Spread of Mold?
As the mold spores float in the air, they do settle on different surfaces. As long as there are nutrients, moisture, and a good temperature for growth, the spores start generating cells, which absorb the nutrients, leading to mold growth.
Do Mold Spores Contain Toxins?
Some mold spores produce mycotoxins, which can be toxic when inhaled. Studies show that exposure to such compounds results in inflammation. Although the health effects of mycotoxins are still not very clear, exposure to high levels of mold causes serious health effects like pulmonary hemorrhage, lethargy, and memory loss. Hence, you should be highly concerned about mold spores sitting in your indoor living spaces.
Health Effects of Mold Spores
Inhaling mold spores has been linked to a variety of negative health conditions. Mold spore allergy is very common in sensitive individuals and can be accompanied by symptoms such as a runny nose, skin rashes, sneezing, and watery eyes. Such allergic reactions to mold spores are very common. Nevertheless, exposure to the spores can also cause serious health conditions like asthma in people with a weak immune system.
People breathe in mold spores every other day, whether indoors or outdoors. Although such exposures have no health risks, issues may arise when people are exposed to excessive amounts of mold, mostly indoors. If your allergic reactions are constant throughout the seasons, it may signify that you have many mold spores in your house.
How to Remove Mold Spores
Although it is hard to eliminate all mold spores from your house, it is possible to remove a good amount of the spores by taking certain actions. You should first understand that mold requires conditions such as moisture, humidity, and the right temperature to thrive. Therefore, you can control mold spores in your house by regulating the amount of moisture and humidity. This can be done by fixing leaking pipes and other water and plumbing issues. If you can successfully remove all conditions necessary for mold growth from your house, you will be on your way to achieving a home free of mold spores.
Measures to Take when Removing Mold and Mold Spores
Individuals that are sensitive to mold should never be exposed to it or its spores. As aforementioned, controlling temperature and humidity, and ensuring your house is properly ventilated can slow down the spread of mold spores. However, if you are dealing with mold that is already grown, you need to remove it manually. This should be done with commercial products, soap, and warm water. If you choose to do the removal by yourself, you should follow certain measures to keep you and your family safe.
When cleaning up, be sure to wear protective clothing such as gloves, goggles, and a breathing mask. Also, make sure that the windows and doors are open for fresh air. In addition to this, consider covering your furniture with plastic sheets so that the spores do not settle on it. If you feel mold spore removal is an overwhelming task for you, you should consider reaching to certified professionals for assistance.
Having a good understanding of mold spores, their characteristics, the way they spread, and the best way to treat the problem is of utmost importance. This is the only way that you can be able to deal with the mold issues you are having and prevent them altogether. You should note that mold spores removal is a process that takes time. Therefore, you need to be consistent and consider putting up the right measures to prevent the problem in the future.