Same Mold Problem, Fresh Solutions

9/1/2001
Same Mold Problem, Fresh Solutions
Press Release

achoo! ALLERGY & Air Products Offers Tips To Decrease Mold Allergy Symptoms

ATLANTA (September 1, 2001) – What makes Atlanta residents so prone to allergy attacks? It’s the year-round allergy season. We don’t have extended winter freezes to hold down the molds, we have a long-growing season and, just when other things go dormant, our trees send out billows of pollen.

Some think of an allergy attack as an overflowing bucket. Each time you come in contact with an allergen, it’s like a little more water has been added to the bucket. Eventually, the bucket overflows, setting off an allergic reaction. In colder climates, people’s immune systems have an opportunity to empty the bucket. Those of us in Atlanta, however, simply never get a break.

Knowing what allergens trigger your attacks and avoiding them is the first line of defense. One common allergy trigger is mold.

Only a small number of molds are widely recognized allergens. The seeds of molds are called spores. Each spore that germinates creates new mold growth, which in turn, can produce millions of spores. Because they are so tiny, the spores may get past the protective mechanisms of the nose and upper respiratory tract and bring on allergy symptoms.

In the home, mold flourishes in warm, moist, dimly lit areas including damp basements and closets, bathrooms (especially shower stalls), places where fresh food is stored, refrigerator drip trays, house plants, air-conditioners, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and old foam rubber pillows.

Once established, a mold colony is visible as spots or streaks. It’s the spores that contain the allergen, and once they become airborne and are inhaled, your symptoms begin.

What can be done to decrease exposure to mold? achoo! ALLERGY & Air Products, Inc. offers the following tips:

  1. Monitor humidity with a hygrometer and use a dehumidifier.
  2. Use diluted bleach to eliminate visible mold growth in showers or in shower curtains.
  3. Use mold resistant shower curtains or mold reducing shower squeegees to eliminate excess moisture.
  4. Use a mold and mildew remover on hard surfaces to kill mold on contact.
  5. Avoid carpets in bathrooms or use only washable throw rugs.
  6. Keep humidity under 50 percent by using air conditioners, and supplement with dehumidifiers in the summer.
  7. Allow moisture to escape from the home. Ventilate the shower and cooking areas. Open windows when the outside humidity is low.
  8. Wear a facemask when mowing the lawn or gardening.

 
Breathe better. To find these mold solutions and other allergen control products, visit achoo! ALLERGY & Air Products at 3872 Roswell Road in Buckhead or call 404-237-3100.