Recent floods and health risks related to mold exposure
The Houston area has recently experienced extensive flooding that damaged thousands of homes across the Greater Houston Area and southeast Texas. Life can be an ongoing struggle for those that were affected by these floods. They are facing clean up as well as finding a temporary home while the clean up and repair take place as their homes are unlivable in many cases.
We've all heard about "toxic black mold" that so many fear due to a lot of media reporting that warned of the dangers related to exposure to toxic mold. If your home had water penetration during the recent floods, it's important to protect yourself and your family from any potential health threats. Mold is not always "toxic" so it's not necessary to panic, but it is necessary to eradicate the mold as soon as possible and take precautions to prevent inhalation or direct contact with skin.
What to do if you encounter black mold in your home
I'm not an expert on the topic, so rather than posting information from other sources, I've located a few links to articles that may be helpful. It's important that you stop immediately if you encounter black mold and make sure you are following recommended procedures for eradicating the mold while protecting your skin and respiratory system. Mold can be harmless if you aren't sensitive to it, but it can be fatal if you or a family member has a sensitivity to mold or anyone whose immune system is compromised.
The following article from HGTV explains in detail what to do when eradicating mold, from wearing protective clothing and masks, as well as how to prevent the mold from coming back once you've removed it:
Health threats related to mold exposure can range from minor nasal irritation to serious fungal infections that can lead to coma or death. The following article from from the Cleveland Clinic describes symptoms of mold allergy and infection. In rare cases, an infection caused by inhalation of mold spores can lead to a potentially fatal illness (aspergillosis).
Aspergillosis: Infection resulting from exposure to mold spores
If you encounter mold in your home or if you experience the symptoms described in the article, see a doctor right away, don't wait. A contractor that is knowledgeable in mold remediation can literally be a life saver. Don't panic if you encounter mold, but do take it seriously.
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