Mold Increases Asthma and Allergy Risks In Children
In a research
study that easily qualifies for the most glaringly obvious conclusion ever to
be drawn anywhere, it has been determined that children living in homes with visible
mold problems have a much higher risk of developing asthma and allergies.
Of course this
should not exactly come as news, given mold’s ability to cause respiratory and
neurological disorders, not to mention the occasional case of lung disease, but
61 international studies conducted since the 1990s have concluded that children
living in water damaged, mold ridden homes stand a much higher chance of
suffering from asthma or other breathing disorders than their peers. 
The research is
somewhat contradictory, refusing to officially name mold as the culprit, but
concluding that airborne mold spores can create inflammation in the airways,
making it difficult to breathe.
It has long
been believed that mold is bad news for their overall lung health, and many
studies have supported that idea. But more recent studies have linked certain
proteins in mold "components" in the home to a lower risk of asthma
and allergies in children. Those components are particular fungus cells that
can mix in with house dust.
This latest
review sought to eliminate those factors from their research, choosing to
concentrate instead on visible mold growth and its effects on children and respiratory
issues.
The
conclusion? Children in homes with
visible mold present were up to 49% more likely to have asthma than children
not exposed to such a problem. According
to figures provided by the CDC, 10% of all children in the United States have
some form of asthma.
As for
allergies and allergic reactions, the study found that children in mold
infested homes had a 39% higher risk than their peers. 
All this
information, of course, underscores the importance of eliminating mold from
your home. Mold can grow wherever there
are ripe conditions, namely sufficient moisture, and in addition to health
problems, can also affect the structure of your home, as it tends to destroy
whatever surface it is growing on.
Unfortunately,
too many people mistakenly conclude that killing or removing the mold is all
that needs to be done. The second step,
which is usually overlooked, is easily the most vital, namely treating the
affected area and transforming the environment to make sure the problem doesn’t
return.
Altering the
environment to make it inhospitable for mold to grow primarily consists of
making sure the area is dried out, cleaned, disinfected, sanitized, and that
humidity and moisture levels are in the lowest possible percentage. Under 50% humidity helps guarantee that mold
growth will not return. You can do this
by increasing the ventilation to the area, as well as using a dehumidifier to
remove all residual moisture from surfaces and the surrounding air.
Mold is usually
the result of some form of water damage, appearing within 48 hours of the
original problem (and sooner if the water is sewage based). This makes it imperative to deal with water
damage as it happens, to avoid such long term, potentially damaging and
threatening issues.
The professionals
at Water Damage Local.com are available 24/7/365 to handle any water damage or
mold removal problem you may encounter.
Our providers have a full staff of trained and experienced
professionals, with the latest in water and mold removal gear as well as
utilization of the latest techniques and procedures. They also offer a complete range of services
designed to return your property to its former beauty.
Don’t let mold
become a health hazard in your home.
Keep you and your children safe and healthy by contacting the
professionals at Water Damage Local.com. 
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