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The warming Earth and rising CO2 creates new challenges from fungal toxins & allergens at home and work.
Fungal toxins and allergens are thriving due to warmer temperatures, rising CO2 levels, and heavier rain. In previously unaffected areas, housing and building precautions may need to be updated, and people need to be aware of conditions that can significantly affect health and property.
Mold spores are everywhere around us, whether inside or outside, and there are more than 100,000 different strains of mold known to scientists. All any of them need to flourish, are two basic things: nutrients and moisture. Floods, and other extreme weather events followed by dampness, provide the perfect conditions for mold to thrive.
A variety of health outcomes in a diverse populations around the globe have been associated with dampness and mold. In some cases, responsible for a 30–50% increase in respiratory and asthma-related problems. People with asthma, whether managed or unmanaged, are more likely to have asthmatic symptoms exacerbated by mold exposure. Asthma may also develop as a result of mold exposure.
Mold exposure poses a particular health risk to children. Studies around the globe have shown a link between mold exposure during early childhood and later asthma development. Indoor mold exposure is attributed to nearly 12% of childhood asthma cases in Europe, according to a 2011 World Health Organization report.
Some good news
Some simple preventative measures can help you avoid potential health issues caused by the presence of fungal spores and allergens as well as the high cost of repairing buildings and equipment.
Moldguard, a company headquartered in Montreal, Canada has made it their mission to produce natural, non-toxic cleaning and prevention products and stop damage from these prolific microbes on the move and the health issues linked to them.
Nomo Professional, the company’s top-of-the-line product, creates a natural and non-toxic ‘hydrophobic’ barrier that prevents spores from penetrating its surface and spreading. It’s a natural prevention against mold used in new construction as well.
What to look out for
Moisture and mold can come from a variety of sources that are difficult to see. It is advisable to inspect a space closely or to contact a professional if the air smells musty or old.
Be especially cautious if your area has experienced flooding or heavy rainfall, or if you are trying to beat the summer heat with an air conditioner running continuously. Mold is almost certainly a high risk in these situations.
What you can do
As soon as possible, identify and eliminate the source of dampness.
Stuff happens
Mold growth can be prevented by drying water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours. Any mold growth you see should be cleaned up immediately. Keep humidity low by opening windows and using fans.
Cleaning should never be done with high concentrations of bleach or toxic chemicals in combination. The result can be fatal.
In this respect Mold Guard products really stand out. Unlike chemical agents, Nomo Professional can be applied to prevent mold growth for at least a year. It’s a sustainable, safe and natural cleaning and prevention agent that doesn’t harm people or animals.
Stay ahead of the game
Moisture, mold, and damage caused by such conditions are usually not covered by insurance. Don’t let your home or workplace become a breeding ground for mold. Treat problems quickly, while they are still manageable.
Protect your family, your home, and your workplace from toxic vapors and chemical residues with cleaning and prevention solutions that don’t create a new problem.
Sources & Links
Health Impacts of Climate Change: Mold and Respiratory Illness | LiveStories
Heavy Rains and Hurricanes Clear a Path for Supercharged Mold | Scientific American, by Erik Vance, December 4, 2018
Sick Building Syndrome: is Mould The Cause | Medical Mycology, Volume 47, Issue Supplement_1, 2009, Pages S217–S222
https://doi.org/10.1080/13693780802510216
WHO Guidelines For Indoor Air Quaility: Dampness & Mould | © World Health Organization, 2009, ISBN 978 92 890 4168 3
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23785740/
Mold and Your Home: What You Need to Know | New York State Department of Health, Revised: May 2021
Dampness and Mold from Severe Storms and Sea Level Rise | Indoor Air Quality Scientific Findings Resource Bank, Berkeley Lab
https://iaqscience.lbl.gov/dampness-and-mold-severe-storms-and-sea-level-rise
Beyond Bleach: Mold is a Long-Term Problem after Flood and Disasters | Scientific American, by Katherine Allen, Sept 28, 2017
What Are Molds? | United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] | Updated March 3, 2022
