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