Click here to watch the video about indoor air pollution, mould and asthma
Indoor air pollution, mould and asthma are a serious issues in many homes!
When it comes to assessing your family’s indoor air environment there are 5 categories of concern to consider! South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs is not concerned with residential indoor air quality! As a result, we need to learn what indoor air quality is from America’s Environmental Protection Agency. They have identified 5 danger levels of indoor pollution. Indoor air pollution is a major human health issue worldwide under normal conditions. However, poor indoor air quality and mould cause asthma attacks that are worsened when you and your family spend most of your time indoors.
Homes with windows and doors closed lack adequate ventilation. In addition, the lack of airbricks increased insulation and better-sealing windows and doors make new homes much more energy-efficient than older houses. As a result, in new homes, it is even more difficult to get fresh clean air into the home.
Sleep loss can be caused by mould in your house, bedroom and workplace
Do you suffer from sleep loss?
Did you know that one way to identify a mould problem in your home is by watching your water bill? Leaks and damp surfaces are primed for mould growth, especially in areas that are prone to collection surfaces and warmth—think your bathrooms, kitchen and basement.
In addition to leaky pipes, many people don’t realize that mould can form in other disguised areas of your home such as on your mattress. Whether you sleep in a damp room, spill a glass of water that is absorbed into your mattress, or sweat a lot at night, your mattress may be primed for mould growth. Mattresses can include soft, porous materials such as cotton covers or foam comfort layers, any of which can absorb moisture both inside and outside of your mattress.
So, while you may know to check your pipes or
understand that your basement, kitchen, and bathrooms are often culprits of
leaks and potential areas of mould growth, keep in mind that places such as
your bedroom may hide a serious mould problem.
Here are five ways indoor mould causes sleeploss
Sleep Loss
Mould impacts the air quality in your house by releasing glucans which can cause an inflammatory response to your respiratory system. In turn, it affects your ability to breathe effectively by prompting your body to go into a fix-it mode such as an increase in mucus production which builds up and makes it difficult to breathe.
Sleep Apnea
It is estimated that nearly a billion people worldwide are affected by sleep apnea.Sleep apnea is a dangerous and potentially deadly problem wherein a person momentarily stops breathing. The result is gasping or snoring as the person’s brain tries to readjust breathing. Sleep apnea and sleep loss are caused by the blockage or narrowing of the airways that is often the result of congestion associated with mould.
If you are like many homeowners, you have probably wondered why some houses have no gutters to provide protection against stormwater. You may have wished your own home had none because of the cleaning and maintenance issues.
Gutters are not required by law on a sloping roof. Many modern homes have none, even in instances where they would benefit by having them. There are alternatives that architects sometimes prefer such as concrete paving around the perimeter of your house.
In order to decide for yourself whether rainwater gutters are necessary for your home, it is best to first learn what the building regulations require.
The Building Regulations do not require roof gutters and downpipes if another suitable means of drainage has been provided to remove or disperse rainwater from the roof away from your home.
However, the Building Regulations do require that any stormwater that flows from your roof or any area that is in the immediate vicinity of your home must not cause damage to theinterior of the building, its structure or its structural elements. The regulations require steps to be taken to ensure that stormwater does not accumulate in a way that“unduly inconveniences” you as the occupant of your home.
Furthermore, the system used must:
not undercut the foundations by erosion or flooding
drain stormwater away from your home
not allow stormwater to accumulate against or close to the external walls
make provision for the drainage of any areas on the property where water pools
Moisture absorbed into brickwork and plasterwork causes them to expand slightly. When the brickwork and plasterwork dry they contract slightly. The water absorbed by the bricks and plasterwork usually causes a slight vertical crack at the edges of the internal window sills. The paint then starts to bubble along the vertical crack. This crack may continue around the length of the window sill before you notice it. What started out as a small vertical crack then becomes a horizontal crack along the bottom of the window sill on the interior face of the sill wall.
The cracks are usually not significant unless allowed to continue unabated.
Rising Damp
Sometimes the moisture intrusion at sills are mistaken for rising damp! Water leaking in at the window sill may bypass the damp proof course (DPC) built in under the window sill as a water-resistant barrier. The moisture may then appear as bubbling paint or crazing cracking of plasterwork, or both, below the window, extending down to floor level.
On external face-brick walls, this may appear as efflorescence (a white powder).
Internally, this may appear as bubbling paint above the skirting or discolouration of the skirting itself.
How do you prevent the moisture intrusion into window sills?
Moisture is required for mound to grow! If it smells musty it is mould. It can adversely affect your health. If you suffer a pre-existing respiratory condition such as asthma, mould can aggravate the condition.
Ten Things You Should Know about mould and moisture:
Mould can occur in your home and workplace anywhere in South Africa. If a room or cupboard smells musty it means it has!
Potential health effects and symptoms associated with exposure to mould include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. It is impossible to eliminate all moulds and spores indoors. All moulds can be found on any surface where moisture is present, e.g., wood, paper, carpet, and food. Mould growth is best controlled by controlling moisture.
Clean and eliminate sources of moisture.
Repair all leaks.
Reduce indoor humidity to 30-50% by venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
Increase ventilation by using air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, exhaust fans and open windows whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
Clean and dry any damp or wet bedding and furnishings within 24 hours.
Clean mould off hard surfaces with water and specialised detergents, and dry completely.
Replace damp or wet absorbent materials, e.g. mouldy ceiling tiles, carpeting, insulation etc.
Reduce condensation on cold surfaces (i.e. metal roofing, under-tile membranes, water piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
Prevent condensation on windows in living rooms and bedrooms by keeping the windows slightly open during cold spells and at night in winter. In humid climates keep windows open 24/7.
Do not install carpets or other types of flooring that are not water-resistant in areas with frequent condensation or perpetual moisture problems, e.g. bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, sculleries, drinking fountains, or areas that may be exposed to the elements.
What is mould?
It is the common word for any fungus that requires moisture to grow on food or damp surfaces. In addition, it can be any colour but is often black or white.
Some often look like a stain or smudge, and they may smell musty. They can enter the home through windows, vents, and open doorways, heating and air-conditioning systems. Moreover, it can attach itself to clothes, shoes, linen, bags and pets.
You might find mould and moisture in:
Leaky roofs, windows or pipes
Ceilings
Brick walls
Wood products
Dust
Paints
Wallpaper
Insulation
Drywall
Carpets
Upholstery
Mattresses
Wall and floor tiles
Built-in units and cupboards
Shower enclosures
Is mould harmful?
Often reports about the effectsof some moulds include the term “toxic”. However, experts say this term can be misleading, since only certain spores produce toxins, and only under certain conditions.
Furthermore, according to researchers in the Lung Disorders Special Report: 9 Common Mould Myths, moulds can produce toxins. However, that doesn’t mean it will. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that you could inhale enough in your home or office to receive a toxic dose.
Although only toxic under exceptional conditions, it can still adversely affect your health. In addition, if you suffer a pre-existing respiratory condition, e.g. asthma, mould can aggravate the condition.
As a result, some people are especially sensitive to some moulds and may display symptoms that include:
Eye, nose and throat irritation
Coughing and phlegm build-up
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Symptoms of asthma and any number of allergic reactions
It is mostly found indoors in kitchens and bathrooms, where humidity levels are high and moisture is found. However, who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One is the size of the affected area. If the mouldy area is less than about 1m² you can handle the job yourself. You can simply remove it with over-the-counter products. However, if there has been a lot of water damage, and mould growth covers more than 1m², it is advisable to hire a specialist contractor.
The following measures can help:
During humid months, use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier.
Ensure there is adequate ventilation, especially in your bathrooms.
Before painting, add mould inhibitors to the paint.
Use mould-killingproducts to clean your bathroom and kitchen.
Don’t carpet your bathrooms and toilets.
Remove or replace wet carpets and upholstery.
Fix leaks to prevent moisture from collecting in areas areas of the house.
If there are musty smells in your cupboards, bedrooms, bathrooms or in your kitchen you have mould in your home! It will only grow in areas where damp and moist conditions exist! I can identify the source of the damp conditions for you. Furthermore, I can perform a Mould Inspection and advise you on the best manner in which to remove the mould.
