The short answer is YES. Unless you are living in a completely sealed-off environment, you are exposed to mold and mold spores all the time. It is impossible to avoid.

Mold spores are everywhere, and you will come in contact with them more often in a damp or humid environment. Coming in contact with mold isn’t necessarily a problem. However, the type and amount of mold spores released determine how detrimental your exposure is. If there is a very high concentration of mold spores that are released all at once, you might have a greater reaction and a higher incidence of infection. This happens when a mold growth is disturbed, possibly by unknowingly breaking into a wall with mold growth, and you end up breathing in these spores.

Another risk is if you come in direct contact with mold. Depending on what type of mold it is and your level of mold sensitivity, touching moldy items or eating a moldy piece of food could make you sick. Also, touching mold and then taking your hand to you eye or mouth is another way that mold exposure could become more serious.

With some types of mold, most exposures are not a big deal. People with mold allergies, asthma, and compromised immune systems have the most potential for reaction or infection from a mold exposure. Many people will have no reaction to most mold exposures.

Not all molds are dangerous for all people. The best way to avoid an exposure is to keep mold at bay. Simply keeping your home dry is a fantastic way to lower your chances of any sort of mold exposure. Keep in mind, though, mold is everywhere; you cannot avoid contact with it, but it doesn’t have to make you ill.