Mold infestation poses a serious health risk to inhabitants of a building. Mold produces a number of toxins which can cause a variety of health symptoms, ranging from minor to severe. Typically, the longer a person is exposed to mold, the worse these symptoms will be. The precise health risks associated with mold infestation depend on the type of mold.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, mold most commonly causes:
- skin irritation and rashes,
- asthma and other respiratory problems, and
- allergic reactions, such as sneezing, runny nose, coughing, and reddening of the eyes.
Extended exposure to some molds has also been known to cause nausea, fatigue, and neurological problems. Long term exposure to some molds can even cause fungal infections to develop inside of a person's lungs. Aspergillus mold is one such strain. This mold causes a deep respiratory fungal infection known as Aspergillosis, which often requires anti-fungal medication to remedy. Stachybotrys mold -- also known as black mold -- is another one of the more dangerous strains. Exposure to black mold can cause not only all of the symptoms described thus far, but also cause cardiovascular problems and weaken a person's immune system.
Person's with health conditions are at greater risk of being negatively affected by mold. For instance, if a person suffers from a respiratory condition such as asthma or COPD, they are more likely to be affected by mold. A person that has a history of allergies or a health condition that weakens their immune system will also be at a higher risk of having negative reactions to mold. Ultimately, different people will react to mold in different ways. But, no matter who you are, exposure to mold potentially poses at least some degree of health risk, and long-term exposure should be avoided.
If you believe your property is suffering from mold infestation, contact the team at MGM Restoration today. We are a professional property restoration company and we have the solutions you need to make your property a healthy space once again.