We cannot talk about mold exposure testing without discussing mold and mold-related illnesses. Some people usually associate mold with the image of a patient coughing and retching after coming into contact with bread or fruit that’s covered in blue or black fuzz. Clearly, this is an exaggeration because not all mold will fit into the toxic category. There are over 100,000 species of mold on planet earth but most of them are harmless. However, some of them can have adverse effects on your health and this is why you need to take measures to ensure you don’t get into trouble with mold exposure. Below are some things you can do to avoid mold exposure and solutions in case you are exposed to mold.
How Molds Get into Your Home
Molds can be found in the environment and they can also get into your home. These organisms can get into your home through vents, heating and air-conditioning systems. They can also enter your home through open doorways and open windows. Once inside the house, these organisms find wet places and start to grow. Wet paper, damp clothing and shoes provide the right habitat for these organisms to thrive and grow. Other materials like dust, wallpaper, carpet and upholstery also support mold growth.
How to Control Mold in Your Home
If you can smell the mold in your home, it means you should do something about it. the measures below will help you keep mold levels down.
Fix Leaks in Your Home
Inspect your home for signs of leaks and fix every leak immediately. A leaking roof, wet walls and faulty plumbing will provide molds the right atmosphere to grow. Get rid of these problems and you reduce mold growth.
Use Tiles
You should consider using tiles instead of carpets in rooms that are often exposed to moisture. These places include your kitchen, bathrooms and toilets. Keep the floor tiles clean and dry so that molds will not survive in these places.
Use Ventilation to Combat Mold
A well-ventilated home will keep mold in check. Open your windows to let in both air and sunlight. You can even improve the process by using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathrooms. In addition, it pays to keep humidity levels down. You should aim for humidity levels of between 30%-50%. The right air conditioner or humidifier will help you achieve this easily.
Mold Exposure Testing
After taking all these precautions, you should not have any problem with molds in your home. However, in case you have any reason to carry out mold exposure testing, you can take advantage of the following procedures.
Testing Yourself
Mold exposure testing for individuals can be carried out by a qualified medical expert. In this case, a blood sample or urine sample will do. In case you want to test the environment for mold exposure, you buy the test kits and carry out the test yourself. These kits can detect spores in the air and they usually give accurate results.
Final Word
As stated already, most species of molds are not harmful to humans. However, in case these organisms become problematic, the right move is to get tested solve the problem immediately.
