Environmental'Medicine'

Molds'in'the'Environment

What'is'mold?'A'mold'is'a'microscopic'fungus'that'grows'and'lives'on'plant'or'animal'matter'or'on'non-organic'objects.'Most'molds'are'made'up'of'filaments'and'reproduce'through'the'production'of'spores,'which'spread'by'air,'water,'or'insects.'There'are'many'thousands'of'species'of'fungi.'Common'indoor'molds'include:

Alternaria
Aspergillus
Cladosporium
Mucor
Penicillium

Molds'are'found'everywhere'in'the'environment,'both'indoors'and'outdoors,'and'throughout'the'year.

Reactions'to'mold:'Molds'cause'allergic'symptoms'in'many'people.'Common'reactions'to'molds'include:'nasal'stuffiness,'eye'irritation,'or'wheezing'when'breathing.

More'severe'reactions'may'occur'among'workers,'such'as'farmers,'who'are'exposed'to'large'amounts'of'molds'in'occupational'settings,'including'fever'or'shortness'of'breath.'Mold'infections'may'occur'in'the'lungs'of'persons'with'obstructive'lung'disease.

How'to'decrease'mold'exposure:

outside,'avoid'areas'that'are'likely'to'have'mold,'such'as:

compost'piles
cut'grass
wooded'areas
damp,'mossy'areas
greenhouses
antique'shops

inside:

keep'humidity'levels'below'40'percent
ventilate'showers'and'cooking'areas'with'exhaust'fans
use'an'air'conditioner'or'a'dehumidifier'during'humid'months
do'not'use'carpet'in'susceptible'areas'such'as'bathrooms'or'basements
dispose'of,'or'thoroughly'dry'and'clean,'objects'that'accidentally'become'wet'such'as'carpets'or'upholstery