Most of us have seen mold or moisture around the home.
But did you know that mold is alive?
It grows on damp surfaces. It is often gray or black but can also be white, orange, or green. It can grow on walls, clothes, and appliances in the open. But you may also find it hidden under carpets, walls, and attics. Mold often smells musty. Mildew is a common name for mold. If you live near the ocean or in a damp climate, your home may have more mold than elsewhere. Mold produces “spores,” specks you can’t see that float through the air. When you breathe in mold spores, they get into your lungs. This can cause health
problems. People with allergies to mold may have reactions. They include watery eyes, runny or stuffed-up noses, sneezing, itching, wheezing, trouble breathing, headaches, and tiredness. Mold can even trigger
asthma attacks. We are learning more about the health problems mold causes. Some molds can cause severe health problems in some people, but scientists disagree about what the problems are. Mold is almost everywhere, but living where mold grows is unhealthy. Because mold needs moisture to grow, keep your home and everything in it dry. Here are some places you might find mold:
• In bathrooms, especially around the shower or tub, and on the walls, ceiling, or floor
• In damp basements and crawl spaces
• Around leaky bathroom and kitchen sinks
• In attics under leaking roofs
• On wet clothes that are not dried quickly
• On windows and walls where condensation collects
• In closets
• Under wallpaper or carpet
• In your air conditioner
It’s important to fix any moisture problem in your home right away.
Mold can grow fast, so it’s best not to wait. To stop mold from growing, quickly dry or throw away anything that has gotten wet
How is Your Family’s Health?
• Does anyone have allergies or asthma?
• Does anyone in your home always seem to have a cold—a runny nose, wheezing, coughing, and headaches?
• Do these problems go away when they leave home for a while?
• Are infants, children, or elderly people living in the household?
How Can You Tell if Mold is Growing in Your Home?
• Can you see mold growing anywhere?
• Is there mildew growing on clothes or towels?
• Does any part of your house or apartment smell musty or moldy?
• Do you see color changes on walls or floors that you can’t wipe off? Is There Moisture in Your Home That Could Cause Mold to Grow?
• Has any part of your home been flooded?
• Has there been a water leak or overflow?
• Has the carpet gotten wet and dampened for more than 24 hours?
• Can you see moisture on walls, ceilings, or windows?
• Do bathroom walls stay damp for a long time after a bath or shower?
