Molds are fungi that grow in both natural and manmade environments. Molds occur naturally outdoors, where they help to decompose dead materials and grow on soils, plants, foods and more. Tiny particles of mold—known as “spores”—are ever-present in the air you breathe and act like seeds, forming new mold growths when conditions are right.
Molds do not occur naturally indoors. Mold spores penetrate your home from the outside, entering through doors, windows and other openings. Molds grow on wood, paper, carpets and more, and destroy the surfaces they grow on. Molds can also cause health problems for those that are exposed. Think your home is safe? Consider the alarmingly simple conditions necessary for mold growth:
- Moisture
- Nutrients
- A suitable place to grow
Inhaling mold spores is the most common means of exposure, but you can also be exposed through the touching or swallowing of molds. The severity of health problems varies greatly, but exposure to molds often causes or aggravates:
- Allergies
- Asthma and other respiratory ailments
- Nasal and sinus congestion or infection
- Cough and sore throat
- Breathing difficulties and wheezing
- Skin and eye irritation
Risks vary greatly from location to location, person to person, but one thing is certain—long-term exposure to molds can be unhealthy for anyone. The most effective means of dealing with molds in your home is to control what causes them in the first place—excess indoor moisture. The Aprilaire Whole-House Dehumidifier removes up to 90 pints—or 11.25 gallons—of excess moisture from your home’s air every day. An Aprilaire Whole-House Ventilation System exchanges your home’s sticky indoor air with fresh outdoor air.
Despite your best efforts, your home will never be free of mold spores—no home is. An Aprilaire Whole-House Air Cleaner traps mold spores like nothing else, effectively reducing the health risks to you and your family.
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