With the apparent prevalence of news stories about infested homes, it seems appropriate that “mold” is a four-letter word. Just the mention of it can send shivers down a homeowner’s spine. But is mold really something that should inspire such fear?<\/p>\n
The truth is that mold is nothing new. Advice about mold treatment<\/a> can even be found in the Biblical book of Leviticus. While it seems as though the problem has grown, experts say it’s simply that there’s more awareness of it today.<\/p>\n Nelson Barnes Jr., a mold treatment expert in the Washington, DC area, explains that mold is a plant that poses no threat as long as you don’t touch or eat it. The danger arises from inhaling the spores that begin circulating in the air, causing respiratory problems ranging from coughing and sneezing to asthma attacks.<\/p>\n Mold spores are present everywhere, according to Rob Hopkin of ProTec Inspection Services. Issues stem from a concentration of spores<\/a> that is greater indoors than outside. From there it takes only food, water and the right temperature for mold to multiply.<\/p>\n Households generally have the right mix of food and temperature to promote mold growth, leaving moisture as the ingredient that is easiest to control. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a major event like a burst pipe to grow mold. All it takes is a relative humidity level above 60 percent.<\/p>\n