Mold Facts
- Mold is a fungus found indoors and outdoors.
- Tiny mold spores float in the air and are inhaled into the lungs.
- Outdoor molds cause asthma problems more often than indoor molds.
- Allergy to outdoor mold puts you at risk for severe asthma.
- Outdoor molds are a greater problem in farming areas such as the prairies than in coastal regions.
- Outdoor molds are found on plants and in soil, rotting wood, compost, rotting leaves, sheds and garages.
- Outdoor molds are worse in spring and fall.
- Indoor molds grow in damp, warm, dark spaces such as basements where there is poor air flow.
- Mold can be a problem if moisture collects on your home’s windows or walls.
Avoiding Outdoor Mold
- If you have a mold allergy, keep house and car windows closed in the spring and fall, especially on windy or humid days.
- Avoid raking or cutting the grass if you have a mold allergy.
- Children with a mold allergy should not play in the leaves.
- Keep your yard free from rotting plant material.
- Talk to your doctor if you are having asthma problems with outdoor activities during mold season.
- More asthma or hayfever (rhinitis) medicine may be needed during the spring and fall.
- If you have a mold allergy, use your Asthma Action Plan to adjust your asthma medicine during the spring and fall.
Avoiding Indoor Mold
- Keep indoor humidity below 50%. Humidity can be measured with a device called a hygrometer, found at most hardware stores.
- If possible, use air conditioning in the home to keep the humidity level down.
- Clean damp areas once a week with 1 part bleach to 10 parts hot water. Do not mix bleach with any other cleaning product.
- If you have a lot of mold consider hiring a professional for clean up.
- Avoid wallpaper and carpeting in the bathroom.
- Fix any indoor water leaks. Clean up indoor water puddles.
- Do not use a humidifier in the bedroom.
- Limit the number of plants in the home. Keep live plants out of the bedroom.
- Avoid wallpaper and carpeting in the bathroom.
- Vent the clothes dryer to the outside. Dry clothes promptly.
- Avoid damp basements. Use a dehumidifier if necessary.
- Do not put carpeting directly on cement floors.
- Clean air conditioners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers as advised by the manufacturer.
- Use anti-mold paint in damp areas such as basements and bathrooms.
- Discard moldy or musty smelling objects.
- Always use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
- Fix any indoor water leaks. Clean up indoor water puddles.
Asthma Allie says:
Stay Away from MOLD!

The Children's Allergy & Asthma Education Centre ©2011