The news occasionally has an uptick in the subject of mold. This usually happens when people suffer health consequences or even death. Some better-known widespread instances have occurred at hospitals and dormitories. But how common is it to have a mold problem? The answer may surprise you.
Surprising Mold Statistics
According to a documentary entitled Moldy, over half of households have mold problems and 28% of people are prone to health problems from mold. However, you don’t often hear about people complaining about mold.
That is because mold is everywhere, and unless it is a problem, you won’t see it. Mold spores are invisible to the naked eye until there is a large infestation, and they enter homes on clothing, skin, and shoes. They come in with the breeze. No bug screen will block them. It is impossible to prevent people from having mold spores enter their houses.
Moreover, a doctor may not recognize mold as the source of a health problem. Respiratory issues occur for many reasons, and unless you give a physician a reason to suspect mold, he or she may not consider it.
So, Are Mold Problems Common?
Yes, mold problems are common. However, many people don’t realize they have a mold problem because the majority of the population is not sensitive to mold issues. This is not to say that mold is not dangerous, and for over a quarter of the population, it can be life-threatening. But between misdiagnoses and smaller population effects, it isn’t as big of a concern as it should be.
What to Do if You Suspect You Have a Mold Problem
If you do not see mold, but you are having symptoms of mold infestation, you may want to hire a professional to do a mold test. If you see mold, no need to test. It needs to be removed. You can try to remove it yourself if it only takes up a small amount of space, but if you are suffering health ailments, call a professional mold removal service. Either way, it is important to remove it safely, which means wearing personal protective equipment and cleaning up properly afterward.
You can also cause mold to become inactive, in which case it won’t cause the same health effects and will stop growing. You can prevent mold or inactivate it by keeping low humidity and ensuring good ventilation.
It is common to have a mold problem, but that doesn’t mean you are destined for it. Keep your house dry and ventilated, and inspect regularly for mold. If you start to have a problem, take care of it immediately, and life can go back to normal.