When Hurricane Floyd hit the Carolina coast in September 1999, locals contended with flooded basements and mud-filled living rooms. For some unlucky folks, the storm’s aftermath also brought sneezing, chest congestion, and difficulty breathing. All that standing floodwater in damp, humid homes had created the ideal environment for mold, a common allergen. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) issued a bulletin to North Carolina residents, warning of sky-high mold spore counts that could last well into December of that year.

But you don’t have to weather a hurricane to have a mold problem. Ordinary molds and mildews produce millions of microscopic spores every day. Like pollens, some mold spores are windborne, meaning they float in the air, moving from place to place on the wings of the wind. If you have allergies or asthma, breathing in these microscopic spores may trigger symptoms. On the one hand, breathing is what you really want to do, and on the other hand, breathing causes the problem.

Molds grow indoors and out — wherever they find a supply of moisture, oxygen, and the right mixture of chemicals. Even the cleanest homes contain some mold. In particular, molds love basements, bathrooms (especially the shower), garbage cans, refrigerators, and laundry rooms. Your prize African violet and other houseplants may harbor mold, too. Outdoor mold hot spots include moist, shady places like compost piles, rotting logs, and piles of fallen leaves. Mold spores can also attach themselves to grasses and weeds. In most parts of the country, late fall is the worst time for outdoor molds.

What can you do about outdoor molds? Avoid the places they tend to grow. When working on the lawn or garden, wear a dust mask so you don’t inhale spores. Since outdoor molds can hitch a ride indoors by sticking to your skin and clothing, remove and wash your clothing and wipe off your shoes once you’re back in the house. Then shower and shampoo immediately.

Inside your home, attack molds by reducing their damp, dark habitat. Sound overwhelming? You have a lot more control over the pesky stuff than you might think. The key to reducing mold is good ventilation. Damp, stale air can contribute to mold growth. Here’s how the AAAAI advised North Carolina residents to reduce indoor mold in the wake of Hurricane Floyd:

• Dilute a cup of bleach in a gallon of water and use the solution to clean moldy areas, like kitchen counters and bathroom tiles.
• Throw out any moldy items (shower curtains and bathroom wallpaper are frequent culprits). If mold is a chronic problem, consider purchasing shower curtains and other household items made of mold-resistant material.
• Repair and seal any leaking roofs or pipes.
• Don’t store clothing in damp areas.
• Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to reduce moisture in the air. Don’t go overboard, though, especially if you have asthma. Very dry conditions can irritate your airway and lungs. Shoot for about a 30%-50% humidity level. A hygrometer, or humidity gauge, will tell you your current humidity levels.
• Clean air ducts and vents regularly. Molds can travel through vents and spread throughout the house.

Don’t wait for a hurricane to hit before tackling the mold in your home. Keeping mold and other household triggers under control is a surefire way to help stop asthma and allergy symptoms before they start. Once you get in the habit of environmental control, your home will be a safe haven for better breathing and overall good health.

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 24th, 2007 at 6:00 am and is filed under Healthy Breathing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.