Mold is a fairly common occurrence. Moreover, in many cities its concentration is several times higher than the permissible norm. And no matter how a person fights with her, she will certainly appear again. Perhaps the neighborhood mold is not so scary? Unfortunately, it causes significant harm to the body of both the child and the adult. But the most unpleasant thing is that a person rarely thinks about how dangerous mold is in an apartment. And not always takes measures to get rid of it, thereby exposing itself and children to the risk of serious pathologies.
What is mold?
This is a real fungus. Initially, it appears as a small dot on the ceiling, wall. But it soon begins to grow, and quite intensively. In the case of favorable conditions for the development of mold, it will quickly occupy a vast territory. It should be understood what is dangerous mold in the apartment. This is not only an unaesthetic appearance, but also a favorable environment for the development of many diseases, including oncology.
The characteristic of the phenomenon
Mold can be of various colors:
- white;
- black;
- red;
- blue;
- green.
In homes and apartments is often found black. She settles on the walls of the kitchen, in the bathroom, toilet and other rooms. Especially often it can be found in the basement. Mold spores are so microscopically small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. At a comfortable temperature and high humidity, they begin to multiply very quickly.
One square meter in about an hour can fill up with millions of spores. Is mold on the walls in the apartment dangerous? Of course yes! Children begin to get sick more often, because mold spreads not only an unpleasant repulsive smell, but also releases toxins.
Causes of the problem
Such a question often torments homeowners who have just got rid of an unpleasant defect, and after a while they again noticed it. Therefore, it is important not only the question of why mold is dangerous on the walls in an apartment, but also why it occurs.
In this case, the following factors play the main role:
- Mold spores are often brought into the apartment or house from the street along with shoes, things, animals, products.
- For the development of mold, certain conditions are necessary. After all, such a fungus is a living organism. And for its development, a nutrient medium is needed. Substances that contribute to the spread of mold can be paper, wood, indoor plants, fabric and much more.
- A certain microclimate is necessary for the development of the fungus. Mold develops in a room in which high humidity (approximately 50-60%), no ventilation, high temperature. Naturally, the bathroom, toilet and kitchen are ideally suited to such conditions. It is not surprising that in these rooms most often you can find foci of harmful mold.
- Quite often, the fungus settles in apartments located on the ground floor. The source that provokes the development of mold is a damp basement in the presence of poor waterproofing.
- Often, fungus multiplies in apartments located on the upper floors. The culprit of the development of mold is the lack of insulation of the roof.
Initial symptoms
So, let's understand what is dangerous mold in the apartment? Most people still believe that a fungus is an exclusively external defect, completely unaware of the danger it carries to the body.
This is not surprising, since the landlord and his children do not experience a sharp deterioration. Mold is so insidious that it affects the body slowly.
Initially, a child may have, for example, a chronic runny nose or cough. Some children have eye inflammation or headaches. But will someone associate such symptoms with ordinary mold? Obviously, such manifestations are most often attributed to nature, weather conditions, and many other factors.
Frequent diseases
Consider if fungus and mold appeared in the apartment, what is the danger. It is worth emphasizing once again: get rid of it immediately, do not wait for the next repair. It is very dangerous to underestimate the harm of mold.
The most harmless disease that can be triggered by a fungus is the occurrence of an allergy. Remember, mold spores are extremely toxic and can cause many serious pathologies.
Doctors have experimentally proven that a fungus that has been acting on the body for a long time can cause a number of serious diseases:
- laryngitis;
- bronchitis;
- pneumonia
- tracheitis;
- asthma
- pathology of the musculoskeletal system;
- dermatitis;
- stomatitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- eczema
- damage to the kidneys, liver;
- internal and nasal bleeding;
- thrush.
This is an incomplete list of all pathologies that can cause such a harmless, according to most residents, mold.
If children often suffer from headaches, chronic fatigue, unexplained vomiting and nausea, the cause can be hidden not only from overwork or poisoning. Such symptoms can also cause mold.
Caution, Oncology!
Harm of mold in its allergic effects and toxicity. Mushroom colonies produce aflatoxins - poisons. Once in the body through the nasal passages, skin, mouth, they are able to accumulate.
Doctors constantly warn that black mold in an apartment is dangerous. The toxins accumulated in the body, over time, can lead to the development of liver cancer. After all, it is this body that is trying to neutralize all poisons. However, if their number exceeds the permissible norm, the liver is not able to cope with such an onslaught of harmful toxins. As a result, the process of poisoning the body begins.
In addition, as noted above, many systems suffer. Mold ingested with food can become a source of pathology of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, a wide variety of diseases in various forms develop.
Mold is extremely dangerous for babies
Most of all, children are affected by mold. After all, their immune defense is still in its infancy.
What is dangerous mold in the apartment for children? The development of all of the above pathologies. Only in a growing organism such diseases, as a rule, develop much faster and can carry more serious consequences.
Therefore, if you notice allergic reactions in the baby, do not delay the visit to the doctor. An experienced specialist will help to identify the source that provoked pathological symptoms.
Damage to property
Fungus extremely negatively affects not only human health. Thinking about the danger of mold in the apartment, carefully look around. A fungus can harm your property. Wooden structures are particularly susceptible to destructive effects. Certain varieties of mold can make dust out of furniture in a short time.
Almost everywhere there are spores of the fungus: in air, water. And only after falling into a favorable environment, they begin to multiply rapidly. Building and finishing materials, regardless of quantity and cost, are also prone to mold.
The main symptom characterizing the occurrence of the fungus is the presence of an unpleasant odor of dampness and severity. And only then do characteristic spots of white, gray or black appear.