Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Brief overview of mold as a health hazard

Mold is a fungus that grows in damp conditions. People come into contact with mold every day. In the outdoors, molds of various types help to break down dead and decaying matter. Molds do not exist only outside, however. It is possible to be exposed to many types of mold inside the modern home.

 The most common mold exposure is in damp areas such as showers and basements. Mold can grow on any porous organic material, however. This includes wood, paper, dust, carpet, and food. The easiest way to identify mold is a musty smell or a visible discoloration of the contaminated material. Exposure to mold is not uncommon, but it can make people sick. When exposed to mold, the most common symptoms mimic those of the common cold or hay fever. If these symptoms are experienced, it is important to seek medical care. A medical care professional will be able to determine whether respiratory symptoms are asthma or exposure to mold. Because the symptoms of mold exposure are similar to those of other diseases, it is important to seek a medical care professional who specializes in treating environmental factors such as mold exposure.

Resources
www.medicinenet.com/moldexposureindex
www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.ehcd.com/mold-and-mycotoxins/

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