A method for removing mold from the bathroom (@giftgenius/TikTok))
In November 2022, investigators in a high-profile case in the UK concluded that two-year-old Aub Isaac had died as a result of exposure to mold in his family's apartment in Rochdale.
The tragic story raised all kinds of social issues—from poverty to institutional racism—but it also highlighted the underappreciated impact of mold-related health effects.
While the potential threat of mold to human health is nothing new, it is clear that it could become even more dangerous in the coming years as a result of climate change and the growing instability of the world's energy markets.
What is mold?
The mold is a fungus with a structure similar to that of a plant;
It contains roots, stem and spores.
Its structure allows it to grow sometimes deep into the soil on which it grows, even if we cannot notice it.
The mold spores are on the surface and can dry out and move through the air from place to place.
This is also the origin of the phrase "one moldy apple is enough to spoil the whole barrel" - about the mold's ability to spread quickly in its environment.
Mold thrives in places where there is a lot of moisture, such as leaky roofs, windows, water pipes, flooded areas and damp rooms like bathrooms.
If there are a bunch of dark spots in the corner of the room, there's a good chance it's mold.
may be dangerous.
Mold (Photo: ShutterStock, Family Guide Image Shutterstock)
Why is mold dangerous?
The problem stems from the spores that the mold emits.
To reproduce and spread, mold sucks out microscopic spores that are airborne into the surrounding space.
For most people, exposure to these spores can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, coughing and itchy eyes;
Annoying, but nothing too serious.
However, exposure to mold can be more serious for people with asthma, breathing problems, a weak immune system, or specific allergies.
Common symptoms of black mold are allergy, breathing disorder, sinusitis, eye and throat irritation, cough, chronic fatigue, and mysterious complaints without a medical explanation.
The most dangerous of mushrooms is stachybutritis, which is associated with allergy, liver disease and even damage to the nervous system and death.
People with weak immune systems are more sensitive to these spores.
Prolonged exposure to a low concentration causes the development of hypersensitivity which may cause a fatal allergic reaction in the future.
How rare is it?
Some common types of indoor mold include Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium (the same stuff that penicillin comes from).
There is often a lot of concern around black mold - Stachybotrys chartarum - because of the potent mycotoxins it can produce.
However, color is not a solid indication of how dangerous mold may be.
Common symptoms of black mold are allergy, breathing disorder, sinusitis, eye and throat irritation, cough, chronic fatigue, and mysterious complaints without a medical explanation.
The most dangerous of mushrooms is stachybutritis, which is associated with allergy, liver disease and even damage to the nervous system and death.
People with weak immune systems are more sensitive to these spores.
Prolonged exposure to a low concentration causes the development of hypersensitivity which may cause a fatal allergic reaction in the future.
Fungi and mold of various types can be found in many, many homes and there is some decent evidence that climate change will increase this risk even further.
Flooding, humid weather, still temperatures and water intrusion into homes are already on the rise due to the climate crisis, and these conditions are ideal for mold growth.
There is also evidence that a fuel shortage could increase the risk of mold contamination because it would prevent people from turning on their central heating, making their homes more likely to foster damp, mold-friendly conditions.
This is something important to consider given the ongoing global energy crisis that is set to affect hundreds of millions of homes around the world this winter.
How do you get rid of mold?
You can read this in the excellent home and design section
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