Not all types of mold cause lung problems in all individuals, but with the potential for severe infections and other breathing difficulties, it is best to not take any chances. Mold can cause a whole gamut of lung problems including but not limited to, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis, Pneumonitis, and possibly Pulmonary Hemorrhage.

With the amount of lung problems and other difficulties that mold can cause, it is in your best interest to remove mold if and when you find this growing in your home. Moist, damp, or humid rooms like your laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, or basement are places where mold often grows. Mold usually develops after an area suffers water damage, usually from a flood or a plumbing leak. When mold is growing, it is best to be aggressive about removing any mold growth to best prevent any lung problems. Any underlying moisture problem, including flooding or leaking, needs to be addressed. Call any necessary contractors, such as a plumber or water proofer, to find out where the water is coming from and how to permanently fix the problem.

All mold and mold spores will need to be removed from your home. While removing mold, you should wear protective items such as a mask and gloves and potentially even protective eyewear. You not only want to breathe in any mold spores while cleaning, but you also want to be sure that you don’t let your eyes or mouth come in contact with the mold.

Any items that have mold on them, or that have even simply become damp or wet, should be cleaned immediately. If any clothing, books or magazines have become moist, they need to be cleaned or discarded. Damp carpeting will probably need to be professionally cleaned and treated or thrown out. You should also scrub away mold from any surfaces that cannot be simply discarded, such as walls. To stop mold from growing in the future, there are some measures that you can take. Consider investing in a dehumidifier to remove moisture from your basement or laundry room. You could also consider raising the thermostat to lower humidity levels. You should also check your gutters and downspouts; these need to be properly working in order to drain water away from your home and foundation walls.

Removing mold is an excellent way to prevent many lung problems; just be sure to do it with care and with necessary precautions to keep you healthy. Beyond removing mold, it is important to do things that will prevent mold from growing at all, such as home waterproofing solutions. Mold can cause several lung problems and can make people quite sick, but it doesn’t have to with proper cleanup and prevention measures.