Asthma Has Links to Mold Found in Washington, D.C. Homes

Mold Exposure Linked to Asthma in Washington, D.C.

Have you been sneezing, coughing, or congested while at your Washington, D.C. home? Have you considered that you may be experiencing house mold allergy symptoms?

The inhalation or touching of mold fragments and spores can cause health problems that vary from person to person. Some molds can cause congestion and flu-like symptoms, while toxic molds can weaken your immune system. In high concentrations, molds can trigger symptoms even in those people without allergies.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider hiring a certified, licensed professional for mold removal in Washington, D.C.:

• Mold is dangerous, can be toxic and unhealthy. Hiring professional mold removal experts to remove an extensive mold outbreak from your home - and take the necessary steps to prevent it in the future - is the best decision. Why expose anyone to additional dangers associated with mold spores?
• The highly-trained, certified professionals at Envirotex have state-of-the-art equipment, technical skills, and cutting-edge techniques to successfully complete mold removal in Washington, D.C.

Health problems associated with mold exposure include allergic reactions, irritation of tissues, infections, and toxic effects due to mycotoxins. Inhaling mold spores or touching mold can lead to such allergic reactions as sneezing, respiratory problems, red eyes, headache, skin rash, nose and throat irritation, and sensitivity to light. Allergic reactions associated with mold exposure can be immediate or delayed up to several hours.

According to the NIH, more than 6 million children in the U.S. have asthma, and some of those children live in Washington, D.C. Genetics and home environment are contributing factors to children developing asthma. Childhood asthma has been linked to indoor mold growing in a child's home because of moisture problems such as water leaks. The connection between mold and asthma, however, is complicated and not fully understood. Asthma is often associated with allergies, and molds spread by releasing tiny spores into the air, which can cause allergic reactions. So, if you have children and have mold, you’ll need mold removal services in Washington, D.C.

A team led by Dr. Tina Reponen of the University of Cincinnati has been investigating the relationship between mold and childhood asthma. Between 2001 and 2003, they collected dust samples from 289 homes with infants who were an average of 8 months old. At age 7, the kids had allergy skin tests and tests for asthma. The study was funded by NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The researchers analyzed the original samples of house dust for concentrations of 36 different species of mold. The molds are on the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index, or ERMI, which was developed by the EPA to measure how moldy a house is.

In the August 2012 edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the team reported that 69 of the children (24%) had developed asthma. The ERMI score of a baby's home predicted whether the child would have asthma at age 7. ERMI values range from about -10 to 20. For a 10-point increase in ERMI, a child's risk of asthma increased 80%. Three species of mold were most associated with asthma: Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus unguis and Penicillium variable.

The association between the trio of molds and asthma doesn't prove that the molds cause asthma on their own. But it does provide strong evidence that indoor mold can contribute to asthma development. “This stresses the urgent need for remediating water damage in homes, particularly in lower income, urban communities where this is a common issue,” Reponen says.

Mold allergies can flare all year long and can even lead to serious respiratory problems, including difficulty breathing and chest tightness. If you think you could be suffering from indoor mold-related allergies caused by mold in your Washington, D.C. home, contact Envirotex Environmental Services. Envirotex Environmental provides state-of-the-art mold inspections, mold identification, mold removal and mold remediation services, as well as asbestos inspections and solutions, throughout Washington, D. C. and Northern Virginia homeowners and businesses.

About Envriotex Environmental Services

Established in Northern Virginia in 2000, Envirotex Environmental Services was founded on military service. While serving his country, the company's owner Mr. Freeman gained vast knowledge and experience in the environmental services field. His expertise in air monitoring and hazardous materials testing prepared him for his post-military career.