Immediate Effects

Some health effects may show up shortly after a single exposure or repeated exposure to a pollutant. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Such immediate effects are usually short-term and treatable. Sometimes the treatment is simply eliminating the person’s exposure to the source of the pollution if it can be identified. Soon after exposure to some indoor air pollutants, symptoms of some diseases such as asthma may show up, be aggravated, or worsen.

The likelihood of immediate reactions to indoor air pollutants depends on several factors including age and preexisting medical conditions. In some cases, whether a person reacts to a pollutant depends on individual sensitivity, which varies tremendously from person to person. Some people can become sensitized to biological or chemical pollutants after repeated or high-level exposures.

Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to the time and place symptoms occur. If the symptoms fade or go away when a person is away from the area, for example, an effort should be made to identify indoor air sources that may be possible causes. Some effects may be made worse by an inadequate supply of outdoor air coming indoors or from the heating, cooling, or humidity conditions prevalent indoors.

Long-Term Effects

Other health effects may show up either years after exposure has occurred or only after long or repeated periods of exposure. These effects, which include some respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, can be severely debilitating or fatal. It is prudent to try to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if symptoms are not noticeable.

While pollutants commonly found in indoor air can cause many harmful effects, there is considerable uncertainty about what concentrations or periods of exposure are necessary to produce specific health problems. People also react very differently to exposure to indoor air pollutants. Further research is needed to better understand which health effects occur after exposure to the average pollutant concentrations found in homes and which occur from the higher concentrations that occur for short periods.

Some Contaminates

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)

This chemical is released from your stove, refrigerator, and heater. Contamination occurs if the air holds 9.7 ppbv molecules.

Health symptoms includes dizziness, sleepiness, heart palpitations, death.

House plants reduce CO2 during photosynthesis as well as good ventilation such as opening windows.

MOLD

Mold can be visible or airborne!

6 TYPES OF HARMFUL MOLD THAT MAY BE LURKING IN YOUR HOME

1. Stachybotrys

Commonly referred to as “black mold,” stachybotrys is one of the most dangerous types of mold and can cause flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, headaches, memory loss and severe respiratory damage.

As its nickname suggests, black mold is dark in color, although it can also be grey or dark green. It typically has a very musty or mildewy odor and is found in very damp areas of homes and other buildings.

. 2 Chaetomium

Chaetomium is most commonly found in homes that have water damage, as it thrives in wet, dark environments such as drywall, wallpaper, baseboards and carpets. This type of mold is similar to black mold and sometimes even shares the same environments.

Along with general signs of allergies such as red, watery eyes and trouble breathing, chaetomium spores can also cause neurological damage and certain autoimmune diseases.

 3 Aspergillus

Although aspergillus spores are present in the air that many of us breathe every day, this type of mold can be dangerous to people with comprised immune systems. Exposure to aspergillus may cause allergic reactions, lung infections and a specific type of infection known as aspergillosis.

Like aspergillus, penicillium is abundant in many everyday environments, but if trapped inside your home, it can cause asthmatic symptoms, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.

5. Fusarium

Fusarium is a type of mold that is most commonly found in plant debris and soil, although it can also be found in very damp areas of your home such as underneath carpeting, inside drywall or foam insulation and in humidifier pans and HVAC systems.

Although quite rare, a serious eye infection called fusarium keratitis can result from exposure to fusarium spores.

6. Alternaria

A well-known allergy-causing mold, alternaria is present in high amounts in many climate zones during the spring and summer. Although this type of mold is usually not found in building materials, it is can be present in the air inside your home and may also be found in electric cables, cardboard, canvas and other textiles.

What is mold toxicity?

Mold is a common fungus that grows in places with a lot of moisture, like roofs, pipes, and underwood and tile floors and ceilings. Different types of mold are around us all the time, but some are more dangerous than others and certain people are allergic to mold or sensitive to the naturally occurring toxins, called mycotoxins, that mold can emit. When you’re exposed to too much mold, mold that you’re sensitive to, or certain types of mold known to cause health issues, it can lead to a condition called mold toxicity.

According to Megan McElroy, PA-C , a physician assistant at Parsley Health: “Mold toxicity issues are commonly overlooked in conventional medicine.” Why? Because mold toxicity can cause a wide range of symptoms that can be hard to describe if you have them and hard to piece together for your doctor, especially if they don’t have experience and training in mold issues.

4 Factors to Consider

MOLD READINGS

• • • • • Normal Range: 35-81 pg/mL

Why are mold issues difficult to diagnose?

“Conventional medicine recognizes that mold can cause allergies but does not recognize that mycotoxins emitted by some species of indoor mold can cause a problem,” says McElroy. This means that doctors unfamiliar with mold and mold treatment may miss one of the main types of mold reactions—chemical and inflammatory reactions. This is for a few reasons:

• • • • • There is no gold standard in testing for mold
        • There is no standardized treatment protocol or drug for mold toxicity
        • There are very limited human-based studies looking at the connection between mycotoxins and human health
        • The presentation of mold issues is very different among patients
        • Not everyone exposed to mold mycotoxins will react to them

It’s no wonder mold illness can be hard to diagnose. Fortunately, holistic medicine providers consider environmental factors that affect health when evaluating patients and may have additional advanced training in treating mold toxicity.

According to McElroy, one of the biggest challenges with mold is that mycotoxins can cause only some people to launch an inflammatory response. “This unpredictable response can go on for years after a long-term exposure in a susceptible individual,” she explains.

How do you test for toxic mold exposure?

“All in all, there is no simple way to diagnose mycotoxin illness,” says McElroy. But testing is typically the first step. She prefers to start patients with at-home tests and also recommends a home inspection by a certified mold inspector. “[At-home tests] should only be ordered, in my opinion, once the environment is evaluated for the source of mold,” explains McElroy.

The most direct way to test for mold toxicity is a urine test that measures metabolites of mold and mycotoxins as well as glutathione levels (which can be depleted when you’re exposed to mold). That said, as McElroy explains,” I never place the entire diagnosis of mycotoxin illness on tests alone.”

A blood test, sometimes called the radioallergosorbent test, can measure your immune system’s response to mold by measuring the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

Why? Mold tests have some major drawbacks, including:

• • • • • False negatives and false positives are common
        • They are not covered by insurance
        • You can’t test all toxins — there are hundreds
        • The levels found on tests don’t necessarily correlate with the severity of symptoms

These tests aren’t perfect. McElroy says she has seen patients who were sick have almost nothing show up on the test while the healthy spouses of those same patients register values off the charts, so having a medical provider that’s willing and able to do some extra investigation into symptoms of mold and toxic mold exposure is key.

How do you treat mold toxicity symptoms?

“Right now, you’ll see a lot of experts recommending handfuls of supplements and strict diets but the reality is, we just don’t know for sure if these are the right treatment approach,” says McElroy.

Instead, she recommends the steps below. You might be surprised to see that “killing the mold” is only one out of five. That’s no coincidence! As McElroy explains, “I often don’t focus on ‘killing’ mold since most symptoms are due to the immune response, not the mold itself.” Instead, she starts with simple lifestyle steps and utilizes non-pill practices to achieve a state of better immune health, including:

Eliminate exposure

Eliminate the sources of mold from the environment but also eliminate common dietary sources of mold, including grains, coffee, and peanut butter. This will help reduce the overall mold burden on the body.

Air Scrubber is an air purifier designed to be installed in the ductwork of your HVAC system. It runs 24/7; maintenance is every 2 years.

Fumigation is needed to remove mold from the air.

Address sinus health

“Since molds can colonize the sinuses, I like to collaborate with ear-nose-throat doctors on this,” says McElroy. That said, you can also take steps to improve sinus health at home, including healing the gut since 70 to 80 percent of our immune system is located there. (Here’s how to achieve better gut health .)

Start a neural retraining program

Certain areas of the body are more vulnerable to mycotoxins, and the brain is one of them. Certain areas of the brain can end up in a chronic fight or flight response and according to McElroy, “No pill can fully stop this response, so we have to ‘retrain’ certain neural pathways to put the response into a ‘heal and rest’ state.” She often recommends Annie Hopper’s Dynamic Neural Retraining System . “This is essential for full recovery,” says McElroy.

Lower inflammation

Taking steps to lower inflammation can help bring balance back to an overactive immune response. This means following an anti-inflammatory diet and committing to daily stress management habits. Parsley’s health coaches often work with members to develop personalized strategies to reduce inflammation, based on their current lifestyle.

Optimize detoxification

Supporting the body’s ability to bind to and eliminate toxins is a key part of healing from mycotoxin exposure. And according to McElroy, this is where supplements can be helpful. Some of her go-to’s include antioxidants like glutathione and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), charcoal, and bitter greens, which all support the liver. It’s important to work with a practitioner experienced in mold illness, like those at Parsley Health , who can recommend the right supplements and doses of each.

As McElroy explains, “Mold toxicity is difficult to diagnose, as many patients are pushed aside by practitioners and loved ones, and it involves more than pills for treatment.” Toxic mold exposure can be a financially, emotionally, and physically stressful experience and there is no cut-and-dried diagnosis and treatment. “It takes patience, persistence, and recognition that more treatments are not usually the answer,” she continues.

The reality is that we are still in the infancy stage of knowing about toxic mold exposure and mold toxicity symptoms, and we need more research done on this to truly get a better picture of how to address the symptoms of mold. The good news is that there are knowledgeable doctors within reach who are ready with a science-backed action plan to get you back to feeling your best .

 

Other Chemical Contaminates

Comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Services

• • • • Duct cleaning: Remove dust, debris, and contaminants from your ductwork for cleaner indoor air.
      • Dehumidifiers: Protect your home from mold and mildew by maintaining optimal humidity levels.
      • Humidifiers: Is the air in your home too dry? Add moisture to your air to help alleviate respiratory discomfort and dry skin.
      • UVC air purification: This technology eliminates pathogens and allergens using the power of ultraviolet light.
      • ERV energy recovery ventilator: Exchange stale indoor air with refreshing outdoor air using this energy-efficient ventilator.
      • UVC whole-home air cleaner: With a whole-home UVC air cleaning system, you can rest safely knowing clean air is circulating throughout your home.
      • Air cleaner filters: Trap particles and allergens with our high-quality air cleaner filters.
      • Insulation and air sealing: Fortify your home against outdoor temperatures with energy-efficient insulation and air sealing.
      • Crawl space encapsulation: Protect your home from moisture and contaminants by encapsulating your crawl space.
      • Carbon monoxide detectors: Protect your home from the silent threat of carbon monoxide poisoning with early warning detection.
      • Attic insulation: Insulating your attic provides enhanced energy efficiency and climate control for your home while promoting healthier indoor air.

 

Primary Causes of Indoor Air Problems

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the area. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

Pollutant Sources

There are many sources of indoor air pollution. These can include:

• • • Fuel-burning combustion appliances
    • Tobacco products
    • Building materials and furnishings as diverse as:
      • Deteriorated asbestos-containing insulation
      • Newly installed flooring, upholstery, or carpet
      • Cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products
    • Products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care, or hobbies
    • Central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices
    • Excess moisture
    • Outdoor sources such as:
      • Radon
      • Pesticides
      • Outdoor air pollution.

The relative importance of any single source depends on how much of a given pollutant it emits and how hazardous those emissions are. In some cases, factors such as how old the source is and whether it is properly maintained are significant. For example, an improperly adjusted gas stove can emit significantly more carbon monoxide than one that is properly adjusted.

Some sources, such as building materials, furnishings, and products like air fresheners, can release pollutants more or less continuously. Other sources, related to activities like smoking, cleaning, redecorating, or doing hobbies release pollutants intermittently. Unvented or malfunctioning appliances or improperly used products can release higher and sometimes dangerous levels of pollutants indoors.

Pollutant concentrations can remain in the air for long periods after some activities.

Learn more about indoor air pollutants and sources of:

• • • Asbestos
    • Biological Pollutants
    • Carbon Monoxide (CO)
    • Formaldehyde/Pressed Wood Products
    • Lead (Pb)
    • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
    • Pesticides
    • Radon (Rn)
    • Indoor Particulate Matter
    • Secondhand Smoke/ Environmental Tobacco Smoke
    • Stoves and Heaters
    • Fireplaces and Chimneys
    • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Inadequate Ventilation

If too little outdoor air enters indoors, pollutants can accumulate to levels that can pose health and comfort problems. Unless buildings are built with special mechanical means of ventilation, those designed and constructed to minimize the amount of outdoor air that can “leak” in and out may have higher indoor pollutant levels.

How Outdoor Air Enters a Building

Outdoor air can enter and leave a building by: infiltration, natural ventilation, and mechanical ventilation. In a process known as infiltration, outdoor air flows into buildings through openings, joints, and cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, and around windows and doors. In natural ventilation, air moves through opened windows and doors. Air movement associated with infiltration and natural ventilation is caused by air temperature differences between indoors and outdoors and by wind. Finally, there are several mechanical ventilation devices, from outdoor-vented fans that intermittently remove air from a single room, such as bathrooms and kitchen, to air handling systems that use fans and duct work to continuously remove indoor air and distribute filtered and conditioned outdoor air to strategic points throughout the house. The rate at which outdoor air replaces indoor air is described as the air exchange rate. When there is little infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical ventilation, the air exchange rate is low and pollutant levels can increase.

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Indoor Air Quality and Environmental Justice

EPA defines environmental justice (EJ) as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income concerning the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

To effectively address EJ concerns, the Agency recognizes that communities must be the impetus for implementing local solutions for environmental health problems including indoor air. However, far too many communities cannot truly affect their environmental conditions. This includes some conditions found indoors, as well as conditions caused by outdoor impacts (such as climate change).

Many reports and studies indicate that the following populations may be disproportionately impacted by indoor asthma triggers, secondhand smoke, mold, radon, and other indoor pollutants:

• • • • children
      • elderly
      • low-income
      • minority
      • Tribes and indigenous people.

EPA’s Indoor Environments Division (IED) provides guidance and programs to help build the capacity of communities to understand and avoid indoor and outdoor health impacts. IED’s main objective is to improve indoor air quality in buildings where people live, learn and work.

Read more about Environmental Justice:

Indoor Air Quality and Community-Based Action

 

Understand Indoor Air in Homes, Schools, and Offices

Some pollutants in the air are especially harmful to children, elderly people, and those with health problems.

Most of us spend much of our time indoors. The air that we breathe in our homes, in schools, and in offices can put us at risk for health problems. Some pollutants can be chemicals, gases, and living organisms like mold and pests.

Several sources of air pollution are in homes, schools, and offices. Some pollutants cause health problems such as sore eyes, burning in the nose and throat, headaches, or fatigue. Other pollutants cause or worsen allergies, respiratory illnesses (such as asthma), heart disease, cancer, and other serious long-term conditions. Sometimes individual pollutants at high concentrations, such as carbon monoxide, cause death.

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Learn about Pollutants

Understanding and controlling some of the common pollutants found in homes, schools, and offices may help improve your indoor air and reduce your family’s risk of health concerns related to indoor air quality (IAQ).

• • • • Radon
      • Secondhand Smoke
      • Combustion Pollutants
      • Volatile Organic Compounds
      • Asthma Triggers

Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed in the soil. It can enter indoors through cracks and openings in floors and walls that are in contact with the ground.

• • • • Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall.
      • Learn more about radon.

Secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke comes from burning tobacco products. It can cause cancer and serious respiratory illnesses.

• • • • • • • Children are especially vulnerable to secondhand smoke. It can cause or worsen asthma symptoms and is linked to increased risks of ear infections and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
            • Learn more about secondhand smoke.

Combustion Pollutants

Combustion Pollutants are gases or particles that come from burning materials. In homes, the major source of combustion pollutants are improperly vented or unvented fuel-burning appliances such as:

• • • • • space heaters
        • woodstoves
        • gas stoves
        • water heaters
        • dryers
        • fireplaces

The types and amounts of pollutants produced depend on the type of appliance, how well the appliance is installed, maintained, and vented, and the kind of fuel it uses. Common combustion pollutants include:

• • • • Learn more about Carbon monoxide (CO)which is a colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body.
        • Carbon monoxide causes headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and even death.
      • Learn more about Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)which is a colorless, odorless gas that causes eye, nose, and throat irritation, shortness of breath, and an increased risk of respiratory infection.

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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products used in homes including:

• • • • • paints and lacquers
        • paint strippers
        • cleaning supplies
        • varnishes and waxes
        • pesticides
        • building materials and furnishings
        • office equipment
        • moth repellents
        • air fresheners
        • dry-cleaned clothing

VOCs evaporate into the air when these products are used or sometimes even when they are stored.

• • • • Volatile organic compounds irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and cause headaches, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Some of them can cause cancer.
      • Read more about volatile organic compounds.

Asthma triggers

Asthma triggers are commonly found in homes, schools and offices and include mold, dust mites, secondhand smoke and pet dander. A home may have mold growing on a shower curtain, dust mites, pilllows, blankets or stuffed animals, secondhand smoke;in the air, and cat and dog hairs;on the carpet or floors. Other common asthma triggers include some foods and pollutants in the air.

• • • • Asthma triggers cause symptoms including coughing, chest tightness, wheezing, and breathing problems. An asthma attack occurs when symptoms keep getting worse or are suddenly very severe. Asthma attacks can be life-threatening. However, asthma is controllable with the right medicines and by reducing asthma triggers.
      • Read more about asthma triggers.

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Molds

Molds are living things that produce spores. Molds produce spores that float in the air, land on damp surfaces and grow.

• • • • • • Inhaling or touching molds can cause hay fever-type symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes. Molds can also trigger asthma attacks.
          • Read more about molds.

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Improving Your Indoor Air

Take steps to help improve your air quality and reduce your IAQ-related health risks at little or no cost by:

Controlling the sources of pollution:Usually, the most effective way to improve indoor air is to eliminate individual sources or reduce their emissions.

Ventilating: Increasing the amount of fresh air brought indoors helps reduce pollutants inside. When weather permits, open windows and doors, or run an air conditioner with the vent control open. Bathroom and kitchen fans that exhaust to the outdoors also increase ventilation and help remove pollutants.

Always ventilate and follow manufacturers’ instructions when you use products or appliances that may release pollutants into the indoor air.

Changing filters regularly: Central heaters and air conditioners have filters to trap dust and other pollutants in the air. Make sure to change or clean the filters regularly, following the instructions on the package.

Adjusting humidity:The humidity inside can affect the concentrations of some indoor air pollutants. For example, high humidity keeps the air moist and increases the likelihood of mold.

Keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent. Use a moisture or humidity gauge, available at most hardware stores, to see if the humidity in your home is at a good level. To increase humidity, use a vaporizer or humidifier. To decrease humidity, open the windows if it is not humid outdoors. If it is warm, turn on the air conditioner or adjust the humidity setting on the humidifier.

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Take Action to Improve Air Quality in Every Room

Important tips that will help control indoor pollutants

• • • • • • Test for radon and fix if there is a problem.
          • Reduce asthma triggers such as mold and dust mites.
          • Do not let people smoke indoors.
          • Keep all areas clean and dry. Clean up any mold and get rid of excess water or moisture.
          • Always ventilate when using products that can release pollutants into the air; if products must be stored following use, make sure to close tightly.
          • Inspect fuel-burning appliances regularly for leaks, and make repairs when necessary.
          • Consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm.

• • • • • • Radon
          • Asthma
          • Secondhand Smoke
          • Mold
          • Volatile Organic Compounds
          • Combustion Pollutants

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Radon

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Radon gas enters your home through cracks and openings in floors and walls in contact with the ground.

Take Action:

Test your home with a do-it-yourself radon kit. If the test result indicates you should fix, call a qualified radon mitigation specialist.
Ask your builder about including radon-reducing features in your new home at the time of construction.

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Asthma

Asthma is a serious, sometimes life-threatening respiratory disease that affects the quality of life for millions of Americans.

Take Action:

Environmental asthma triggers: are found around the home and can be eliminated with these simple steps:

• • • • • • Don’t allow smoking in your home or car.
          • Dust and clean your home regularly.
          • Clean up mold and fix water leaks.
          • Wash sheets and blankets weekly in hot water.
          • Use allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers.
          • Keep pets out of the bedroom and off soft furniture.
          • Control pests—close up cracks and crevices and seal leaks; don’t leave food out.

Children are especially sensitive to secondhand smoke, which can trigger asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

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Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke: smoke comes from burning tobacco products such as cigarettes, pipes and cigars.

Take Action:

• • • • • • To help protect children from secondhand smoke, do not smoke or allow others to smoke inside your home or car.

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Mold

Mold can lead to allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory ailments.

Mold: can grow anywhere there is moisture in a house.

Take Action:

• • • • • • The key to mold control is moisture control.
          • If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
          • It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

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Volatile Organic Compounds

VOCs cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, and can damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. VOCs are released from products into the home both during use and while stored.

Take Action:

• • • • • • Read and follow all directions and warnings on common household products.
          • Make sure there is plenty of fresh air and ventilation (e.g., opening windows and using extra fans) when painting, remodeling or using other products that may release VOCs.
          • Never mix products, such as household cleaners, unless directed to do so on the label.
          • Store household products that contain chemicals according to manufacturers’ instructions.
          • Keep all products away from children!

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Combustion Pollutants

Carbon monoxide causes headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue, and high levels can be fatal.

Nitrogen dioxide causes eye, nose, and throat irritation, impairs lung function, and increases respiratory infections.

Sources include:

• • • • • • indoor use of furnaces
          • gas stoves
          • unvented kerosene and gas space heaters
          • leaking chimneys
          • tobacco products

Take Action:

• • • • • • Ventilate rooms where fuel-burning appliances are used.
          • Use appliances that vent to the outside whenever possible.
          • Ensure that all fuel-burning appliances are properly installed, used, adjusted, and maintained.

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Symptoms of Mold in a Home

Mold can be an invasive and silent enemy in your home. It tends to grow behind walls, under floors and in the cracks and crevices around your home. In short, you often can’t see it. However, there are some clear symptoms of mold in your home. Understanding these symptoms and keeping an eye – and nose! – out for them can help you get ahead of any mold problems before they get too serious. We’ll take a look at some of the structural symptoms of mold in the home and then touch on some of the health-related symptoms you may find if mold is present in your house.

First things first: where does mold come from and where does it go?

Mold generally comes from moisture and bacteria trapped in areas with little light and poor airflow. Molds of all kinds thrive in areas where water is present – this is why you often find mold in the area around your bathtub or sink. These types of molds are easily seen – you’ll find unsightly black and brown areas where water tends to collect. THe more troublesome mold, however, is often found in inconspicuous areas where leaks and moisture may be present, like in your ceiling or walls.

Structural Symptoms of Mold in the Home

There are some fairly straightforward ways to tell if you have and find mold in your home. Mold often appears as black, brown, or even in some cases, white, fuzz, or markings in or around corners and cracks. Really, anywhere water or moisture can congregate for any length of time can be a perfect place for mold to grow and thrive.

1. 1. Use your eyes – if you can see mold, you either have the beginning of a problem or a very advanced one. If you find a small amount of mold in your bathroom, you can likely take care of it with a bit of cleanser. If you see it on the side of a wall, however, covered by molding or other areas, you may have a larger issue.
   2. Use your nose – basements and crawl spaces are inherently more humid places but you really shouldn’t get a musty smell. If you venture down your stairs and find that you’re overwhelmed with the scent of your grandfather’s root cellar, you may have a mold problem.
   3. Use your eyes…again – If you see moisture or water on your ceiling or wall, you want to take care of it quickly and efficiently or mold can grow.

Health Symptoms of Mold in the Home

There are a number of symptoms that you may experience even if you have a relatively small mold problem. Mold can be an invasive and silent enemy in your home. Because spores are inhaled, mold exposure can cause simultaneous damage to the nose and throat, esophagus, lungs, and bloodstream. It can also irritate the eyes, nose, and even the skin, in some cases.

1. Allergy/Cold Symptoms – if you find yourself with a runny nose, scratchy throat or cough and have never had these symptoms before, you could be dealing with a mold issue in your home.
2. Watery, Red Eyes – mold spores are constantly in the air when mold is present and can have a drastic effect on the eyes, making them either dry and scratchy or excessively watery.
3. 1. Sinusitis – In more extreme cases, extended exposure to mold can cause a sinus infection, causing potentially serious complications.

   Both the household and health symptoms of mold are easy to recognize but can often be confused with other problems, especially in the case of medical issues. The best thing to do is stop mold before it has a chance to start but keeping areas of your home dry and well ventilated. If you do get mold, consider hiring a professional to help you remediate the mold problem completely. A mold remediation company will be able to fully assess the extent of the issue and definitively eradicate the problem.

Remodeling Old Homes and Building New Homes

While remodeling or improving the energy efficiency of your home, steps should be taken to minimize pollution from sources inside the home, either from new materials or from disturbing materials already in the home. In addition, residents should be alert to signs of inadequate ventilation, such as stuffy air, moisture condensation on cold surfaces, or mold and mildew growth.

When building new homes, homebuyers today are increasingly concerned about the IAQ of their homes. Pollutants like mold, radon, carbon monoxide and toxic chemicals have received greater attention than ever as poor IAQ has been linked to a host of health problems. To address these concerns, builders can employ a variety of construction practices and technologies to decrease the risk of poor IAQ in their new homes using the criteria from EPA’s Indoor airPLUS as a guide.

• • • • • • Learn more about Indoor airPLUS.

To help ensure that you will have good IAQ in your new or remodeled home:

• • • • • • Ask about including radon-reducing features.
          • Provide proper drainage and seal foundations in new construction.
          • Consider installing a mechanical ventilation system. Mechanical ventilation systems introduce fresh air using ducts and fans, instead of relying on holes or cracks in the walls and windows.
          • When installing new appliances (like furnaces) make sure they are installed properly with a good vent or flue.

Schools

With nearly 56 million people, or 20 percent of the U.S. population, spending their days inside elementary and secondary schools, IAQ problems can be a significant concern. All types of schools—whether new or old, big or small, elementary or high school—can experience IAQ problems. School districts are increasingly experiencing budget shortfalls and many are in poor condition, leading to a host of IAQ problems.

• • • • • • EPA’s voluntary Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program provides district-based guidance to schools about best practices, industry guidelines, and practical management actions to help school personnel identify, solve and prevent IAQ problems.
            • Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools
          • Children may be more sensitive to pollution, and children with asthma are especially sensitive. Asthma is responsible for millions of missed school days each year. Parents’ and caregivers’ involvement helps daycare facilities become aware of asthma triggers and the need to reduce them.

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Office Buildings

Many office buildings have poor IAQ because of pollution sources and poorly designed, maintained, or operated ventilation systems.

• • • • • • Office workers help to improve the indoor air in their buildings by paying attention to environmental conditions including ventilation, temperature and the presence of odors. Report any problems to facility managers immediately.
          • To improve IAQ, be careful not to block air vents or grilles, keep your space clean and dry, and do not bring in products that may pollute the indoor air.