If you live in an area where there is a high amount of dampness, you should be aware of the health risks associated with the condition.
This article will discuss the effects that mould can have on your skin, the water sources that can cause it to grow, and the inflammatory response of your respiratory tract.
It will also provide you with action steps that you can take to prevent the growth of mould in your home.
Water sources are the cause of mould at home.
The quality of the water you drink and how it is treated is important to your health.
Water is also crucial to crop growth and food supply.
Using it in the right way can make all the difference.
There are many ways to obtain the water you need.
For instance, you can use taps or install rain water harvesting devices.
Other methods include using a water tank or storing it in your garage. But beware: some sources contain dangerous chemicals. This is especially true if you have kids and pets.
It is worth noting that many people don’t have access to clean water. This makes it all the more important to make sure the water you use is clean and safe. You can check your water’s chemical composition and make sure it is free of contaminants.
However water is all well and good for what you want it for, drinking, washing, showering etc, but water can be your worst enemy too.
A moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for mould.
(God, I hate the word “moist”!)
Not only can mouldy materials produce toxic compounds, but it can also make your home a magnet for a variety of insects. Mould can also be the harbinger of allergies, as well as asthma.
Identifying the source of the problem is the first step to fixing it.
To this end, you may want to consider installing exhaust fans or ducts to vent the moisture out of your home. If you are going to install a moisture control system, be sure to choose a product that is appropriate for the climate in which you live.
Similarly, you should check out the latest technology to prevent leaks in your plumbing and heating systems. By the same token, it is a good idea to have a reputable company inspect your home on a regular basis.
Mould growth is usually a sign that you have not looked after your house.
If your house is not air-tight and weatherproof, you are likely to experience mould growth.
Mould is a type of fungus that thrives in damp areas.
Its spores are invisible, and it is able to enter your home through the air.
Some types of moulds can produce harmful toxins, known as mycotoxins.
These toxins have been linked to lung inflammation and other health effects.
The National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine in the USA has reviewed the potential health effects of mycotoxins.
Despite the unpleasant connotations of mould, it is important to know that it is a natural part of the environment.
In most cases, it does not cause serious illnesses. However, it can trigger allergic reactions, especially in those with compromised immune systems.
Some types of moulds grow on paper, wood, and other organic materials.
They may be yellow, white, or black in colour. Others are blue, green, or fuzzy.
There are hundreds of different species of mould, and they can grow on nearly any substance. Those that grow on dust, for example, are called Aspergillus.
Aspergillus can cause a dangerous disease, known as aspergillosis. This disease occurs when a person is exposed to large amounts of mould spores.
Exposure to mould can also affect the structural integrity of your home. For this reason, it is important to check your home regularly for signs of mould.
Using dehumidifiers or exhaust fans can help reduce the moisture in the air. However, if you are dealing with a very large problem, you may need to call for professional help.
Dampness can cause several health problems, including respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, and eczema. In addition, dampness attracts insects and rodents.
Many keyboard warriors online will blithely say “open a window, that’ll cure it”. Be warned, it will NOT.
Neither will spray bleach, a common misconception.
Spray bleach not only contains actual bleach, it also contains WATER.
Water is the cause of mould, so adding more water is not a good idea, plus it lulls you into a false sense of security in thinking the mould has gone. It has not.
Also spraying the affected area and wiping it away releases more toxic spores into the air inside your home, which is worse than smoking cigarettes.
The ONLY way to cure mould is to fix the SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. Be that a leaking pipe, missing roof slates or porous exterior walls.
Sorry but there is no cheap and quick fix. You are going to have to make an effort to get rid of it.
What do health professionals have to say about living in a damp home?
The NHS spells out exactly the issues here…
Does living in a damp home affect personal health?
Who’s negatively affected by mould?
Some people are more sensitive than others, including:
- babies and children
- older people
- those with existing skin problems, such as atopic eczema
- those with respiratory problems, such as allergies and asthma
- those with a weakened immune system, such as those having chemotherapy
These people should stay away from damp and mould.
Source: nhs.uk
Sounds like having mould in your house needs to be taken very seriously.
Inflammatory response of the respiratory tract
Several studies indicate a relationship between indoor dampness and respiratory health effects. These findings are consistent with the hygiene hypothesis.
Mould, in particular, can produce irritants. Its spores can inflame the lungs and cause asthma exacerbations. A recent study reported dramatic reductions in asthma exacerbations when mouldy items were removed from homes.
Recent epidemiologic data suggest an association between indoor dampness and respiratory infections, but a causal link between these exposures and asthma has not been determined. The NIOSH recommends ways to prevent building dampness.
In addition, there is evidence that an inflammatory response to dampness may result in asthma.
An influx of CD8+ lymphocytes and the release of proinflammatory cytokines into the alveolar space may be the driving mechanism. Viruses are also known to induce an inflammatory response. In an OVA-sensitized/challenged mouse model, infiltrates of inflammatory cells were observed.
While an inflammatory response to dampness and mould is associated with respiratory infections and a variety of respiratory symptoms, the exact mechanisms involved remain unknown. This uncertainty is expected to undercount the true relationship between indoor dampness and health.
To date, the strongest evidence for an association between dampness and asthma is derived from studies of infants. A recent study reports a dose-response relationship between exposure to indoor dampness and asthma exacerbations.
In an unblinded study, the authors found that exposure to indoor dampness was significantly related to the development of asthma. Their conclusion was that there is sufficient evidence to support a causal relationship between indoor dampness and asthma.
In addition to the strong correlation between exposure to dampness and atopic asthma, there are other possible associations. Individuals with an atopic sensitivity may be more sensitive to mould, which may contribute to an increased risk for respiratory allergies.
The effects of mould on your skin.
If you are living in a damp house you may be surprised at how much it can affect your health.
It can lead to increased levels of dust in your home and irritants in your lungs.
Not only that, it can be difficult to maintain cleanliness in your home and can cause damage to your possessions. You should speak to a professional if you are concerned about the health of your family.
A damp house is a breeding ground for pathogenic microorganisms, resulting in a host of health concerns.
Mould is a particular concern because it can produce mycotoxins, which can lead to a host of adverse health effects.
While mould is a serious problem, it is not alone.
There are many other microorganisms that proliferate in damp indoor environments, including fungi, bacteria and viruses. In fact, some pathogenic microorganisms are so toxic that they can actually cause disease.
The most impressive of these is black mould, which can cause a host of ailments from eczema to ulceration.
Even worse, a small nodule can become a source of infection over years if left untreated. Excessive moisture can also cause your possessions to rot, which is not only unsightly, it can ruin your possessions.
Your home interior will STINK if the mould is not treated.
Carpets, sofas, bed sheets, clothes, curtains, can all attract mould spores, and no matter how much you wash and clean them, you will never completely get rid of the horrible smell of damp.
The most important lesson is that it is not a good idea to stay in a damp house.
If you are in the market for a new home, consider a pre-purchase inspection before buying.
This is especially important if you have young children. Also, it is not a bad idea to invest in a dehumidifier to prevent your new home from becoming a damp one.
For the best health results, it is best to remove the moisture from your home as soon as possible.
A sure-fire way to cure damp is to have the exterior walls treated with a damp proof exterior wall coating.
The service will repair any defects outside your home, such as cracks and loose render, all of which can allow damp to enter the home.
Damp in the roof area can also lead to structural failure of the roof when the timbers become so wet and rotten then cannot handle the stresses placed upon them and simply collapse.
Damp can also effect mental health according the the charity “MIND”.
They conducted a survey of people who lived in damp houses and found that…..
More than two in three (69 per cent) of the people Mind surveyed said they had issues with the quality of their housing such as damp, mould, overcrowding and unstable tenancies.
One in four tenants with mental health problems are behind on paying rent and at risk of losing their home
They rightly pointed out that……..
“Too often people with mental health problems are living in cold, damp, poor quality homes or dealing with difficult landlords. Many of them will come into contact with authorities that hold outdated, stigmatising beliefs about people with mental health problems.
At the best of times bad housing situations can be difficult, but for those of us with a mental health problem, it can be even harder to handle. It can make our mental health worse.
Source: Mind.org.uk
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Effects of atopic heredity
Home dampness is a risk factor for asthma and respiratory diseases.
It promotes the non-specific inflammatory mechanisms by volatile organic compounds and moulds. In addition, it increases the irritant effects of these substances.
A recent meta-analysis examined the effect of exposure to dampness and mould on the occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms.
The results showed that there was a positive relationship between exposure to visible mould and the occurrence of respiratory infections, including respiratory illnesses of bacterial origin. However, this association did not reach statistical significance.
Another study found that subjects with atopic diseases had a higher occurrence of current asthma when exposed to damp living. They were also more likely to take antibiotics than subjects without atopic diseases. These studies are consistent with other epidemiological studies.
However, there is a need to further investigate the interaction between atopic heredity and home dampness. This could suggest that symptomatic subjects are aware of the dampness and avoid exposure.
Alternatively, it could reflect allergy avoidance by subjects with severe disease.
The effect of atopic heredity on the association between home dampness and respiratory diseases is still not fully understood. It is important to understand how the different types of housing and dampness impact on the occurrence of these diseases.
Studies on the interaction between atopic heredity with housing characteristics, particularly dampness, are necessary to improve prevention of indoor exposure to dampness. It is also important to evaluate the impact of atopic heredity on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms in adults.
Children are at a greater risk of developing respiratory symptoms than adults. Asthma and allergic rhinitis are the most common respiratory diseases in children.
How to cure damp in your house.
Firstly, and as we explained earlier, there is no quick or cheap fix to the damp.
You cannot cure damp internally, it is impossible. Damp is caused by water entering the building.
If you have a damp patch and you try a stain blocker or some other product, damp, being a liquid by it’s very nature, will simply find another way of getting in somewhere else.
Spray bleach will not work and will actually make the problem worse.
Damp in the home is usually caused by only FOUR things.
- A missing roof tile or slate
- A leaking pipe
- Cavity wall insulation
- Porous and badly maintained exterior walls.
The 4th option is the most common and the most overlooked cause of dampness and mould.
Damp can be cured by having an exterior wall coating system applied to the outside walls of your house. In some cases they also provide insulation and can lower your home heating bills, especially the wall coating system we use, which is approved by architects and also the Energy Saving Trust.
We can provide a free quotation to cure damp using our wall coatings, with no obligation, plus our surveyors can offer other tips to cure damp once they visit your home and inspect the affected areas.
Bear in mind, as we said previously, it’s not going to be cheap so forget thinking in the hundreds, it’s going to be in the thousands, but we are talking about preventing damage to your largest asset, your home.
We have coloured wall coatings as well as transparent ones, to suit any home.
Remember if you are trying to sell, no one will buy a damp house, and in fact some mortgage companies will not mortgage a house with severe damp issues so there’s more to worry about than just your health if your home has damp.
Please get in touch with us if your house is suffering from damp.
For the health if your family, it needs to be cured sooner rather than later.
To book a free damp survey, call us on 0800 970 4928 or send us an email.