At-Home Safety: Check Your Home for Mold and Breathe Easy
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, the World Health Organization and Health Canada all agree that living or working in a building with mold results in an increased risk of respiratory disease, among other effects. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) therefore urges homeowners, particularly those at risk of flooding, to inspect their homes for mold.
A professional experienced in mold evaluation and remediation, such as an industrial hygienist, can address extensive mold growth in a building. Large mold problems must be addressed as soon as possible by fixing the source of the moisture problem, removing contaminated materials, cleaning the surfaces and drying the area completely.
Remember, mold may affect the following people more quickly or severely: infants and children; the elderly; pregnant women; individuals with respiratory conditions or allergies and asthma; and those with weakened immune systems.
For more information on mold remediation and resources, visit http://www.aiha.org/news-pubs/bg/Pages/MoldDetectionRemediation.aspx.
About the Author
Laura Walter
Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.