In July, a fraudulent report alleging it was from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claimed that masks were dangerous and could develop micro-molds from moisture after only 30 minutes of wearing one. The report was viewed by many over Facebook, but an article from AP News eventually debunked it. The CDC did not say that, and it takes longer than that for mold to grow.
A digital version of a FEMA brochure entitled, “Mold and Mildew in Your Flood Damaged Home” claims that mold can begin to grow after only 24 hours. It does not say it can build up before that. However, if a person did not wash and fully dry his or her mask, it stands to reason it could be a problem. The CDC does recommend washing your mask regularly, but mold is not the concern when wearing a mask.
The concern for wearing a mask is COVID-19, and all sorts of false science and misinformation has spread about how it is transmitted and how to protect oneself. Whether you are for or against the mask mandates sporadically in place throughout the nation, the article did bring up an important point about mold. It likes moisture.
Your Mask May Not Be a Mold Risk, But Moisture Is
Much of the misinformation that people are holding on to as fact these days is influential because it has some truth to it. The truth in the fraudulent CDC report is that mold does like moisture. That is why it is so important to detect and remedy any moisture or leaks within your residential or commercial building.
It only takes 24 hours for mold to begin growing, and once it does, you have a problem that may be invisible until it is widespread. Moisture may come from an obvious event like a flood. Oftentimes, it is a problem such as a leak that goes unnoticed until that leak creates other problems.
The only way to prevent mold hazards is to find the source of the water and eliminate it. Then, you may have to remove any contaminated objects such as carpet or drywall. If your mask were to be involved in a mold contamination, it should be discarded as well.
Many people are worried about catching COVID-19, and many others are worried about having rights taken away in order to prevent the spread. There is so much misinformation, but one thing is true. While COVID-19 spreads, there are other hazards out there like mold that are worthy of attention.