Studies by the Health and Welfare Canada and Harvard University have shown that between 40 and 50% of homes in North America have moisture and mold problems serious enough to significantly increase respiratory symptoms among occupants. Particularly susceptible are pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
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| Some molds, such as Stachybotrys, Aspergillus and Penicillium, produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. Often referred to as ‘toxic molds’, these molds have garnered much media attention over the last few years due to the more severe health problems they can cause. Although they are less common in indoor environments, toxic molds have been linked to respiratory and central nervous system illnesses and liver damage. |
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Examples of the effects of mold on human health:
- In 1999, the Mayo Clinic concluded that 96% of chronic sinusitis – sinus infections – were caused by fungi. Symptoms can include headaches, nose, eye and throat irritation, nosebleeds and coughs, skin irritation and respiratory infections.
- It is estimated that about 20 percent of the human population is allergic to mold spores.
- Mold is also an asthma trigger. In one recent study, household mold was found to increase children’s asthma risk by about 2.5 times.
With Canadians spending on average 90% of their lives indoors, it
is easy to understand the growing public concern about the impact of mold on
human health.
Mold and fungal growth can damage possessions and discolour the walls, floors and ceilings in a home or building. In extreme cases, it can compromise the structural integrity of the building as it eats away at wood and drywall, causing it to disintegrate.
Remediation costs to correct mold problems are significant and growing. According to U.S. insurance industry statistics, the insurance industry paid out $3 billion in mold-related claims in 2002, up from $1.3 billion in 2001.
Canada has not been immune. Ten thousand mold related lawsuits are now in the courts in Canada.
Given the losses the insurance industry has experienced with mold, there now exists a standard mold, mildew and fungi exclusion in property and commercial liability policies. As a result, homeowners and commercial property owners are often left to address mold problems at their own expense.
When it comes to mold, experts and health authorities agree on one thing: prevention is the best solution. Managing moisture levels and timely remediation of water leakage or flooding are keys to stopping mold before it starts.
Concrobium offers an additional level of protection against mold growth by leaving surfaces with an invisible yet durable antimicrobial coating that continually prevents fungal and mold spores from attaching and colonizing on the surface. Whether using Concrobium to clean and disinfect surfaces or pretreating vulnerable areas, this patented encapsulating action helps to ensure that harmful mold will not grow back.