What You Need to Know About Mold Problems
Mold is a common problem that often gets downplayed as something that just needs to be cleaned up. However, it is responsible for a host of health issues that can range from being irritating to very serious. Let’s take a closer look at mold and why it’s so important to keep it at bay in your home now and shelter or bug-out location later.
What is Mold?
Mold is a fungi, and there are unknown quantities of different species throughout the world. Some estimates suggest that the numbers exceed 20,000. Mold thrives in moist, damp and humid conditions, both indoors and outdoors. This is why spores are so common in bathrooms, basements and kitchens. On the other hand, mold can not survive in dry climates or areas. Consequently, the first step toward controlling mold is to remove moisture and create an unfavorable growth environment.
The most common indoor household molds are the Cladosporium, Penicillium (where we get penicillin from), Alternaria and Aspergillus. Many people have varying degrees of allergies to these types of molds, and this is one reason that not everyone can use penicillin as an antibiotic.
How Mold Affects People
Different people have varying degrees of sensitivity as well as allergies to molds. Some will not be affected at all whereas others can develop serious reactions that require medical treatment. The most common symptoms associated with mold exposure include a stuffy nose, skin irritation, wheezing or chest congestion as well as eye sensitivity. More serious reactions of mold can include difficulty breathing and respiratory ailments, fever and the growth of spores inside of the lungs that can lead to infections.
Studies also suggest that prolonged exposure to mold can cause lethargy, a sense of malaise or sluggishness and impair thinking. Some think that persistent exposure to mold can also lead to secondary chronic health problems as the immune system keeps fighting exposure, which can cause it to weaken.
Reducing Exposure
The only way to eliminate symptoms of mold exposure is to control mold growth and remove existing spores. This means maintaining high levels of sanitation in environments where spores thrive. The good news is that you can clean surfaces that contain mold by using soapy water or a mixture of water and bleach. Add one cup of bleach for every gallon of water, and start scrubbing. The bleach will kill the spores and also sanitize the surface.
You can also reduce indoor as well as outdoor mold by cleaning dusty, musty and dark areas in sheds, garages, attics and crawlspaces. Mold also forms around where you have piles of wood, hay, grass clippings and compost. If you or someone in your family has a sensitivity or allergy to mold, make sure that you keep your compost or wood piles away from the home or shelter. Make sure to wear a surgical or face mask and gloves when cleaning or working in and around these areas as well.
Finally, try to keep air as dry and provide good ventilation whenever possible. This will help to reduce the extent of mold growth and make it easier to keep outbreaks under control.
While mold may not seem like a big deal because it’s so commonplace, it’s important to keep living, work and storage areas clean. This will greatly increase comfort and quality of life now as well as during a survival situation. Make sure that you stock up on bleach and take practical steps to minimize growth in order to reduce or eliminate problems associated with exposure.
