Worldwide, the prevalence of asthma and allergies is increasing. Speculation continues to link environmental exposures to this rise. While mold may not cause asthma, several studies demonstrate that common indoor allergens add to, or exacerbate it. Minimizing exposure to allergens and remediating the environment plays a critical role in the treatment of asthma and allergies. The most effective environmental control measures are interventions with several steps, including education, deep cleaning, use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and proper practices for mold removal and remediation.
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors and can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors. It grows in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or after a flooding. Mold grows especially well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds and experience nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with full blown mold allergies may have even more severe reactions. Immunocompromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold.
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.
In one study, the asthmatics had fewer emergency rooms and hospitalizations after mold remediation compared to the control group. The analysis suggests that there may be a long-term benefit from a comprehensive plan to remediate mold and reduce asthma morbidity (death rates) but more studies are needed. One difficulty in proving results is the non-standard meaning of “deep cleaning.” More randomized control trials are needed to document results of mold interventions in the treatment of asthma and allergies but evidence leans towards the advantages.
Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration employs experts in the remediation of mold, whether it is confined to a small area within a single room or distributed throughout an entire structure. Trained environmental remediators can inspect and mitigate the most complicated remediation projects thanks to the most advanced training and inspection instruments available to the industry. They work alongside a third-party industrial hygienist who performs a pre-test and post-test to verify our work. Clients’ properties are brought back to the healthiest possible condition with the industry’s most knowledgeable environmental remediators available.
Since 1981, friendly and experienced carpet cleaning technicians have been committed to providing environmental services include mold remediation, sewage cleanup and decontamination, building deodorizing and odor control, and HVAC decontamination and air duct cleaning.
Reach out to Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration for disaster restoration services. With emergency services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is never a bad time to call or visit yellowvan.com . For immediate assistance, call us at 1-844-755-7416 today for help in and around Grand Island.