We enjoy a Mediterranean climate here in Southern California, but that doesn’t mean we can always avoid mold. In fact, Los Angeles ranks #4 nationwide for mold allergies. And there’s no escaping the fact that mold damage is dangerous. So how dangerous is mold? Can mold kill you? In this post we explore how much of a threat mold is, and how we can minimize its effects.
Is Mold Dangerous To Humans?
Yes, mold can cause a surprisingly wide range of health issues. The only good news is that the symptoms of mold sickness are usually mild.
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Congestion
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Coughing
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Digestive problems
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Eye irritation
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Fatigue
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Headache
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Skin irritation
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Wheezing
It’s easy to see how so many people dismiss these symptoms as part of a cold, or hayfever. But if you just can’t shake it, it might well be mold.
Is Mold Dangerous To Pets?
Yes, mold damage is dangerous to our poor pets. They can have the same symptoms of mold sickness as us, plus these extras.
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Excessive licking, chewing and scratching themselves
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Loss of appetite
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Nosebleeds
And guess what, the pets don’t know the mold is causing it, either.
Warning Signs Of Mold Toxicity
If you’re unlucky, the mold in your building might be toxic. It depends on the type of mold and also your body.
Have you, your family or pets started to suffer some of the symptoms mentioned above?
If you have asthma you may experience more frequent attacks, and mold is especially dangerous for people with weakened immune systems.
Is Mold Cancerous?
Mycotoxins
Mold isn’t usually cancerous by itself but mold can produce mycotoxins. These chemical products can cause poisoning-like symptoms in the short term, and cancer and death in the long term.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Also, mold has been proven to cause pulmonary fibrosis (PF), or scarring of the lungs. Above is what that type of mold looks like under a microscope. Long term pulmonary fibrosis leads to a heightened risk of lung cancer.
How Can I Spot Cancerous Mold?
You can’t. When the mold removal team comes, they can test the spores and see what kind of mold you have. As you can see, it’s best not to take the risk and get mold seen to ASAP.
What Should You Do If There’s Mold In Your Home Or Commercial Premises?
Stop Right There
Number one, don’t touch it.
We know. The urge to clean it off is strong. But you really need heavy-duty breathing equipment to handle mold. Otherwise you risk breathing in toxic mold spores and then they could really do some harm.
Call In The Tarp Team
It’s impossible to tell if mold damage is dangerous just from looking at it. Be safe and call in a licensed mold remediation team like Save The Day Restoration. We’ll tarp the area so that the mold spores are contained, and then get to work on eliminating the mold.
Get Your Property Restored
If the mold has been there a while it may have eaten into the drywall, floorboards or whatever it came into contact with. In addition to looking awful this can weaken the structure of the building. So if mold has eaten away at your building we can restore the damaged parts so that they look great again and are strong.
How Can You Stop Dangerous Mold Coming Back?
After we remove mold we apply chemicals to inhibit future mold growth. However, mold is a living thing so future mold wouldn’t be the same animal as the mold you just got rid of. This means you need to keep vigilant in case it comes back in the future.
Here’s how you can stop dangerous mold returning to your home in Los Angeles.
Check These Areas Regularly
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Crawl Space
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Attic
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Basement and Foundations
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Inside HVAC Units
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Around Water Pipes
These are the top places where mold can lurk.
People typically don’t notice the mold until the smell gets really bad, or they stumble across it one day. Like all types of damage, mold is easier, faster and more cost effective to remove the earlier you catch it.
Invest In An Air Purifier
These babies are not only great for trapping mold spores, they reduce the symptoms of allergies too. Asthma sufferers report greater quality of life and they also help prevent airborne diseases.
Boost The Ventilation In Your Home
Fans to keep everything moving, windows open when possible to get a breeze going through, you know the drill.
Run Your Range Hood Exhaust Fan
When you’re cooking, be sure to make use of the range hood to vent excess humidity. Most cooks remember this when they’re cooking something they don’t want the whole house to smell of, like onions. But running it more regularly helps reduce humidity as well as lingering smells.
Use A Dehumidifier
When it’s wet outside a dehumidifier is the best way to keep your home dry. Dehumidifiers are inexpensive to run and you’ll be surprised how much moisture they get out of the air.
How To Protect Your Health When You’re Exposed To Mold
Fix All Leaks Quickly
Is the moisture level in your home high because of a leak? Get it fixed promptly and your home will thank you. Leaks and dripping faucets will cost you more in water bills in the long run anyway.
Keep An Eye On Your Home’s Humidity
You can get a humidity detector to check how humid your home is. These gadgets are useful because unexpectedly high humidity indicates you may have mold or leaks that you haven’t noticed.
Get Mold Damage Seen To Sharp
The best way to protect yourself and your family from toxic mold is by calling a licensed and insured mold damage team with decades of experience dealing with mold damage in Southern California.
Mold Damage Is Dangerous So Call Save The Day Restoration Today
Our fully licensed team has the specialist knowledge and equipment to kill mold safely and restore the parts of your home affected by mold damage. Your home will be strong and safe again with no trace of mold.
Call us 24/7 at (562) 246-9908 about cleaning or mold remediation in your Los Angeles home, or get in touch by email.
