It nests in the creamy pits of forgotten coffee mugs, chews through loaves of week-old bread, and generally turns things we like into things we would really rather not touch. Sure, it’s great when it’s powdered and packaged and sold as Penicillin, but even feverish infectees aren’t clambering to feast on fungus-infected food.
Black
mold, in particular, has been a plague on the human race since Biblical
times. It thrives on moisture and loves
porous surfaces, and it’s as difficult to eradicate as a roach
infestation. Especially in old
buildings, where ventilation is shaky and inhibited, black mold can spread like
poison ivy on plant steroids. So let’s
take a minute and determine (a) how to identify harmful types of mold and (b)
what you and your landlord should do about it.
Identifying Toxic
Mold in Your Home
Mold is a term that encompasses a huge variety of organisms, and not all of them are a health-hazard. However, if you have something growing on your walls, in your bathroom, or even in the fridge, it’s probably a safe bet that you should get rid of it ASAP. While there are tests to determine the toxicity of the mold present in your home, they are largely unnecessary. It’s better to move directly to controlling the problem—the moisture level in your home.
The following symptoms can be an indication of exposure to toxic mold or another household irritant, and are commonly grouped together under the name “Sick Building Syndrome:”
- Headache
- Eye, nose, or throat irritation
- Dry cough
- Dry or itchy skin
- Dizziness and nausea
- Sensitivity to odors
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
Because these are common symptoms for many different diseases, Sick Building Syndrome requires that two more conditions be present. (1) The cause of the symptoms is unknown, and (2) the sufferer experiences relief shortly after leaving the building. If this sounds familiar, it may be time to break out the bleach and get to scrubbing. Sick Building Syndrome is no 24-hour flu.
(Check in later for Part II).
Comments