Common Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Think mold is harmless? Think again.

The toxic fungus can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present, which makes it a common occupant of damp basements, bathrooms, and refrigerators. Mold doesn’t just damage the structural integrity of your home, it can also make your family sick.

Mold spreads by reproducing microscopic spores, which can be inhaled by unsuspecting victims. When this happens, it often causes similar symptoms as other upper respiratory allergens, such as:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Irritated eyes
• Shortness of breath
• Tingling or numbness of the skin
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Reduced cognitive ability
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Fever
• Skin rash

The symptoms listed above may make you miserable, but generally aren’t considered serious. However, certain conditions may cause victims to have more severe reactions to the mold. These include:

• Mold-induced asthma
• Sinusitis
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Side effects of mold exposure can range from mild to severe, and greatly vary from person to person. The severity of these symptoms is dependent on several factors, including the type and quantity of mold, length of exposure, and individual sensitivity. If you believe you are being exposed to mold, you should remove yourself from the contaminated environment immediately.

If you spot mold growing in your home, don’t attempt to remove it by yourself. Improper technique can lead to illness and actually cause the mold to further spread throughout your home.

If you live on Long Island, look no further than GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration for all of your professional mold removal needs. Call us today to get started with a free estimate at (631) 940-8100.

Why Mold in Your Home is a Problem

Mold is a toxic fungus that can grow virtually anywhere moisture is present. Experts estimate that there are more than 100,000 different types of mold, but they all have one thing in common: you don’t want to find any of them growing in your home.

Mold is bad for your health.

Mold spreads by reproducing tiny, microscopic spores. When found in high quantities, these spores can have adverse effects on our health, including allergic reactions. Since these spores are so small, they can even be inhaled, leading to upper respiratory infections. A person’s reaction to mold depends on many factors, such as their sensitivity, the amount of mold present, length of exposure, and the type of mold. Common side effects of mold include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Nausea
• Asthma attacks
• Respiratory infections (in severe cases)

Mold is bad for your home.

Mold isn’t just bad for your health, it is bad for your home too. Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying it before spreading onto bigger and better surfaces. The organic material that mold feeds on can be found all over your home, including in your ceiling tiles, carpets, drywall, insulation, and wood surfaces. Mold can not only cause permanent, irreversible damage to these surfaces, it can weaken your home and make it dangerous to live in. Mold left to fester in your ceilings, crawl space, or support beams can cause the wood to rot and weaken, thus compromising the structural integrity of your home.

GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration offers professional mold removal services to homes and businesses across Long Island. If you live in Nassau County or Suffolk County, call us for a free quote at (631) 940-8100.

Health Effects of Mold

Mold is more than just a gross fungus that grows on your old food. In fact, it can grow virtually anywhere that moisture is present – indoors or out. Mold can pose a threat to the structural integrity of your home, as well as to your family's health.

No one knows just how many types of mold exist, but estimates range from about five thousand to over three hundred thousand. One thing is for sure; mold grows by reproducing microscopic spores, which spread throughout the air. These spores can survive dry, harsh conditions, but won't develop into a fungus unless there is moisture present.

Common places you may find mold growing in your home include the bathroom, basement, and washing machine seals – all places with excess moisture. The key to preventing mold is by limiting moisture in your home through the use exhaust fans, dehumidifiers, ventilation systems, etc.

You should make a conscious to prevent mold from growing in your home, and seek professional help immediately if you do notice it. Besides the structural damage it can cause to your support beams, exposure mold can also cause a wide array of side effects, including:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Irritated skin, eyes, throat
• Fever
• Headache
• Nausea
• Respiratory infections

If you spot mold growing in your Long Island home, call the mold removal experts at GreenPro Cleaning & Restoration. We will make your home safe again using our effective and environmentally-friendly removal process. Visit our website for more information or call us at (631) 940-8100.