Home | Articles | Testimonials | Links | E-Books      
CHOOSE A CATEGORY


 
SPECIAL OFFERS

CUSTOMER SERVICE


Contact Us

FEATURED COMPANIES

Access Your Health!

MAILING LIST


Join our mailing list & receive FREE GIFTS & OFFERS!

Join our Mailing List!
CLICK HERE


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


What Causes Mold and how can I avoid it?

 

Mold

Molds are microscopic fungal organisms. They grow as networks of interlocking filaments that spread on and into organic matter, leading to its decomposition. When clusters of these filaments become large enough, they are visible as fuzzy growths of mold or mildew. Bread mold is a familiar example. Mold lives by secreting enzymes that break down the organic matter on which the mold is living, making it available as a nutrient for the mold. This breaking-down action is what makes mold damaging to household items such as paper, fabric, or leather. Molds reproduce by forming spores, which travel through the air, settle on other plant or animal organic material, and grow into new clusters of filaments. The mold spores travel over large distances, and are often more numerous than the pollen grains of plants. Proteins in the secretions of the mold filaments, and possibly in the mold spores, are capable of causing allergy in some people.

 

Where are molds found?:
  • Where are molds foundMolds are found primarily in warm, dark, and damp locations. Unlike plants, which use energy from the sun to produce food, molds obtain their energy by digesting other organic matter. To do so, they need moisture. Molds grow out of doors, and, if the humidity is high enough, indoors as well. They do not have the clearly defined seasons that pollens do, but are at their peak during months of high humidity, and are absent in outdoor air only if there is snow on the ground. They can grow on grass and on the bark of trees, and are plentiful in fallen leaves and other decaying vegetation. Indoors, they live in areas of high humidity, such as basements or poorly ventilated bathrooms.

How does mold affect people?

For those sensitive to molds, exposure to mold spores can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation, amongst other things. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions, like fever and shortness of breath. Those with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. Molds can also trigger asthma episodes, so people with asthma should avoid contact with or exposure to molds.

Also, because mold digests whatever it grows on, objects exposed to it - carpets, paintings or expensive furniture, just to name a few - can eventually get destroyed. A mold patch settled in the foundations of a building can gradually weaken them to the point when walls start cracking and crumbling apart.

Be on the lookout in your home for common sources of indoor moisture that may lead to mold problems:
  • Flooding
  • Leaky roofs
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Overflow from sinks or sewers
  • Damp basement or crawl space
  • Steam from shower or cooking
  • Allersearch AllerMold Mold & Mildew Inhibitor / Removal Spray

    Allerseach AllerMold & Mildew Inhibitor

    Yeast Infection Treatment by Yeastrol

    All contents © Copyright 2009 Medtherapies, LLC. All rights reserved. This internet site is hosted by Medtherapies, a Web site service provider of natural health products. Medtherapies has no means of independently evaluating the safety or functionality of the products offered on this website and thus can neither endorse nor recommend products. Information presented is of a general nature for educational and informational purposes only. Statements about products and health conditions have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Products and information presented herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have any concerns about your own health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Your use of this site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.