Watch out! The walls of the moldy house endanger your health

Medical Video: 17 Signs Of Mold illness And How To Tell If You Are At Risk

There is always mold wherever you turn - in the air you breathe and on the many surfaces you touch. Whether it's slimy black stains on your bathroom wall, or hairy white spots on your kitchen floor, moldy homes are more than a matter of beauty.

Why are houses moldy?

Mushrooms are the growth of unwanted black, white, orange, green and purple organisms that can be found almost everywhere. Outdoors, mushrooms play an important role in nature, processing leaves, plants, and dry trees. Mushrooms survive in damp environments and breed by releasing troops of small and light spores that travel through the air.

Inside the house, fungi are found as a result of surface condensation due to excessive moisture, lack of ventilation, or low temperatures; steam or inadequate air circulation in the bathroom; or water leaks, such as from roofs or leaking pipes, weathered wooden floors, or flood marks. Common places for mushrooms to grow indoors are stacks of cardboard, window sills, rugs, and walls in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry area.

If you can see or smell the pungent odor in your home, there are health risks that can be present.

What is the effect on health if you live in a moldy house?

In small amounts, mushroom spores are usually harmless, but when they land in a wet place in your home, the mushroom colonies can begin to develop. When fungi grow on the surface, spores can be released into the air - where they can be easily inhaled. Some types of fungi in the room are able to produce highly effective poisons (mycotoxins) which are fat soluble and easily absorbed by the lining of the intestines, airways, and skin. These agents, usually contained in fungal spores, have toxic effects ranging from short-term irritation - allergic reactions, ringworm, scabies - to weakening the immune system and pulmonary bleeding.

Long-term exposure in moldy homes is not healthy for every occupant, but some groups will develop more severe symptoms faster than others, including infants and children, parents, individuals with respiratory conditions, and those with weak immune systems, for example because of cancer, liver disease, HIV, or after chemotherapy.

For people who are sensitive to fungi, inhaling or touching fungal spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, and skin rashes. People with serious fungal allergies may have a more severe reaction, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to fungi, breathing spores can trigger an asthma attack. Asthma attacks due to inhalation of fungal spores may also arise even in children who have "talent" to develop asthma or in healthy adults without even a history of asthma. Residents of homes that have weak immunity and who have chronic lung disease, such as obstructive pulmonary, may get serious infections in their lungs when exposed to fungi.

It is important to understand that the clinical relationship of mycotoxins to more detrimental health effects, such as acute pulmonary idiopathic haemorrhage in infants, memory loss, or lethargy below the realistic level of air exposure has not been fully found. In any case, fungal growth in the home should be treated as unworthiness if viewed from the perspective of the potential adverse health effects and performance of the building.

What can be done to prevent moldy homes?

It is not possible to get rid of all mold and spore fungi in your home, but because mold spores cannot grow without water, reducing moisture in your home is the best way to prevent or eradicate fungal growth.

The following are some suggestions for reducing moisture and fungal growth throughout the house:

Mushrooms can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or bleach solutions no more than 1 cup of household laundry bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Use a humidifier and air conditioner, especially in hot and humid climates, to reduce moisture in the air; keep the house warm in cold weather with heating - the temperature drops, the air is less able to hold moisture and condenses on the cold surface which triggers fungal growth.
Dry all wet areas in 24-48 hours.
Check for leaks around the kitchen sink, refrigerator, around the sink and bathtub, and other water sources. Fix leaks and seepage.
Open the door between rooms to increase circulation, which brings hot temperatures to the cold surface.
Increase air circulation by using a fan and by moving furniture from the corner of the wall.
Keep humidity in the room below 60% if possible. You can measure the relative humidity with the hygrometer, a tool available at many home appliance stores.
Use a fan / exhaust to move moisture out of the house every time you cook, wash dishes, or wash clothes.
Take care of the water receptacle rack from the air conditioner or refrigerator to always dry and clean Make sure the drainage is free of obstructions and that the drain can flow properly.
Consider painting concrete floors and using carpets per area rather than a thorough carpet across the floor. If you plan to install a carpet on a concrete floor, it may be necessary to use a vapor barrier (plastic sheeting) on the concrete and cover with a sub-floor (the insulation is covered with plywood) to prevent moisture problems.
Make sure the gutters and drains work properly and ensure that water flows outside the house, not towards. If water enters a house from outside, your choices range from yard renovation to excavation and waterproofing
Avoid leaving wet clothes in the laundry basket or dryer. Avoid leaving wet towels on the floor or on hangers. Wash and dry immediately.

If the house is moldy, it is important to erode the fungal patches and improve the root of the problem that causes moisture. If you clean the fungus but don't correct the cause of the problem, chances are that the fungus will haunt your home again.

READ ALSO: