Mould and dampness have been around for millions of years, which means they are unavoidable. However, there is sufficient medical research to support the idea that mould arising from dampness indoors can cause and exacerbate respiratory conditions. This evidence is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends keeping dampness under control in your family home to prevent poor health. Knowing more about how you can do this is the best way to maintain your family’s health, without making life too inconvenient.
Where Does Dampness Come From?
Dampness usually occurs indoors when there is excess moisture in the environment. During the winter, heating can cause the moisture in the air to warm. When it hits cold surfaces, such as windows, it then turns into condensation. Other sources include shower and kitchen areas that are poorly ventilated, as well as clothes dryers that rely on indoor ventilation.
When dampness is prevalent in an indoor environment, it causes mould to grow. It is not so much dampness itself that causes family health problems, but the mould that arises because of it.
How Does Mould Cause Family Health Problems?
When you see mould on your walls, you’d be forgiven for thinking it stays there. Unfortunately, that isn’t true. Mould constantly gives off microscopic spores, and it is when they enter your respiratory system that they begin to cause problems.
The list of family health problems caused by dampness and mould is extensive. However, the main ones are:
- Conditions that affect the ear, nose, and throat. This includes wheezing, nasal stuffiness, sore throats, irritations, coughs, and itching.
- Conditions affecting the skin, sometimes resulting in rashes.
- There is limited evidence to suggest that mould can cause otherwise children to develop significant health concerns. This includes asthma, which can limit their ability to engage in sports at a later point in their life.
- People already suffering with conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and asthma are likely to experience significant exacerbations in their condition.
There are certain people who are more likely to experience health problems because of mould than others. This includes:
- Those who are immunocompromised, such as people with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and patients undergoing chemotherapy
- The very young and the very old
- People already suffering with conditions that mould is likely to exacerbate, such as eczema, asthma, and other respiratory complaints
How can You Prevent Mould in Your Family Home?
The only way to prevent mould is to prevent dampness, and the only way to prevent dampness is to increase the ventilation in your home. Many kitchens and bathrooms already feature extractor fans, which makes a helpful contribution. However, they may not tackle all sources of condensation, especially in busy households. In addition, they do not tackle damp in other rooms.
Another solution is to use a home ventilation system. Those that focus on reducing humidity in the atmosphere, such as the SmartVent Evolve, are particularly adept at reducing dampness. This is because they recognize when condensation is reaching the point where it leads to damp and push dry air into the environment to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Otherwise, being vigilant when mould appears is essential. Treat it as it arises, and keep looking for those preventative measures.
