Increased exposure to allergenic mold spores.
AUSTIN, Texas, July 12 (UPI)
Lots of rain and lots of summer humidity can increase exposure to allergenic mold spores — an important trigger of allergies, a U.S. allergist says.
Dr. Henry Legere of Greater Austin Allergy in Austin, Texas, says mold can be found inside and outside the home, but mold can be brought inside the home on skin or pets, clothing, shoes or indoor potted plants and once inside it needs only a food source, warm environment and moisture to grow.
Large infestations of mold can usually be seen — black stains or specks of black, white, orange, green and brown on surfaces — or smelled. However, mold can be INVISIBLE.
“Mold spores contain allergens, substances that some immune systems recognize as dangerous,” Legere says in a statement. “Exposure to mold can trigger allergic reactions such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, coughing and hay fever-like symptoms.”
Mold can be found in basements, crawl spaces, near windows, under sinks, near leaky pipes, heavy vegetation, in piles of leaves and in grass.
BEFORE removal of mold, the most important step is first having the infested area tested, as different species of mold can create different level of mycotoxins, and improper removal or cleaning can cause a chain reaction therefore causing cross contamination throughout the rest of the dwelling.
The first step is to eliminate the moisture or water intrusion. Then have the testing performed to verify species of mold before cleaning, and then have a certified remediation specialist perform the removal following the NY City Remediation Guidelines.
For more information: Please contact me at any time.
Russell Mayeaux (the mold guy)
CMIA
Office:(337) 786-4664
