Aspergillus mold is a common mold found in the outdoors everywhere. Its job is to break down dead plants and return the nutrients to the soil, thus completing the cycle of life and enriching the soil for future plants. Sounds pretty harmless so far huh? The problems begin when Aspergillus mold grows indoors in your home. What is a perfectly beneficial process outside becomes a very harmful process inside a home .The mold can damage your home, ruin its contents, make your air unsafe, and adversely affect your health. This article will provide you with information on the damaging effects of Aspergillus mold in your home and point you toward solutions to help keep your home mold free.
In the outdoors, mold breaks down dead plants, indoors it does the same thing except now its dead plant material is things like wood beams, books, wallpaper and cardboard. Any organic material is fair game to the mold. As it breaks down this material, it now starts to affect the air in your house.
Like all living organisms, mold gives off waste products as it eats. In the case of mold it releases gaseous waste called mycotoxins. These are the cause of the dank, musty smell you encounter in a damp basement. A person who breathes in mycotoxins can aggravate allergy and asthma problems, may experience flu-like symptoms, and may feel lethargic or fatigued.
To protect your home from mold (and keep it outside where it belongs), you need to make sure it does not have the conditions to grow and thrive. Mold needs moisture to grow. If you have leaks, fix them immediately. Install exhaust fans in you bathrooms and kitchen (make sure they are vented to the outside). Buy a dehumidifier with a moisture gauge (called a hygrometer). Run the dehumidifier and keep the moisture level in your home below 50%. Make sure your gutters are clean, and check that the ground is sloping away from your house outside. All of these steps will reduce your home's moisture and help keep Aspergillus and other molds out of your home.
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