What Are The Health Risks of Mold Exposure?

Mold in your home or workplace can pose a number of serious health risks that you may not automatically associate with mold exposure.  Mold is present almost everywhere, but it is not always harmful—penicillin for example. Others, like black mold, can be quite toxic and have severe negative health consequences for those who are exposed to it.

Mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in those who have asthma or other respiratory issues. Flu-like symptoms, fatigue, severe migraines, nosebleeds, dizziness, and more can all be attributed to excess mold exposure, but those who experience these conditions often believe they are simply sick or tired, completely unaware that mold is the cause of their ailments. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, it is possible that mold is the cause.

So how do you know for sure? Follow these five steps to determine if mold is causing adverse health conditions for your family or employees:

1. Hire a certified mold inspection and remediation company to evaluate your home to determine if you have a mold problem.
2. If a mold problem is found, have the area isolated until mold removal can be performed.
3. Do not attempt to remove the mold yourself. Mold removal is best left to professionals who have the proper safety equipment and tools to ensure the mold is cleaned up correctly without stirring it up and allowing it to spread to other areas of the home.
4. Fix the problem that caused the mold. If the cause of your mold is a broken pipe, cracked foundation, or leaky roof make sure these are repaired to prevent regrowth.
5. Take steps to prevent mold growth. Regularly check for mold growth, especially in areas where moisture is common. Install air filters that are capable of capturing and killing mold to reduce the amount of mold distributed by your HVAC system.

Who Is Affected by Mold?

Anyone is susceptible to the effects of mold, but those with respiratory issues, small children, and the elderly are the most at-risk. The risk level is different for every person—for some, mold may trigger a negative health reaction while in others, there will be no visible effect. If you notice that someone in your home or workplace is having on-going health problems, it may be a good idea to have your home or business checked for mold. The cost of mold removal is often covered by your insurance policy, but even if it is not, the cost can be significantly lower than the health bills of a family member or less than the lost productivity of an employee.

Schedule a Mold Inspection Today

If you believe your home or business in the Gulf Coast region may have a mold problem, contact Action Restoration today to schedule an inspection. Our mold remediation experts will give your property a thorough assessment to determine if you have a serious mold problem. If we discover mold, we will create comprehensive plan of action to restore the health of your home or business. We have offices in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, so regardless of where you are in the Gulf Coast region we can provide prompt local service.