An allergy can trigger symptoms similar to a generic respiratory allergic reaction. It is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance that's harmless to most people, such as mold or pollen. Mold allergies can cause serious illness to about 12% of human population that is sensitive to mold. Mold allergies are caused by mold spores and fine fragments when inhaled by susceptible individuals. Mold allergies can also be triggered by eating food that contains mold. Mold allergies are common, … [Read more...]
Residential Air Quality Testing: How To Test Home Air Quality
With winter temperatures dropping way below the freezing point, we're spending most of the time indoors. However, rarely do we think about indoor air quality and the impact it can have to our families' health. It's well known that poor indoor air quality can cause or aggravate asthma, headaches, chronic fatigue and insomnia. To ensure your family is not exposed to high levels of indoor biological or chemical pollutants, perform air quality testing. In this short article, we're going to see … [Read more...]
Farmer’s Lung: A Respiratory Lung Disease
Did you know farmer's lung is a respiratory allergic lung disease that affects farm workers handling hay or other plant materials contaminated with mould and actinomycetes? Did you know a single gram (dry weight) of hay could contain up to 102,000,000 (102 million) fungal spores and 1,200,000,000 (i.e., 1200 million) actinomycete spores? Did you know that up to 1,600,000,000 (i.e.,1600 million) spores per cubic meter of air have been recorded in farm buildings while hay was being shaken … [Read more...]
Mold Allergy Symptoms
Mold allergy symptoms may occur in sensitive individuals following mold exposure. Mold allergy symptoms are generally allergic responses caused by inhaled mold spores and fragments. Most people are familiar with these types of responses (stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, flu-like symptoms, wheezing). They are allergy symptoms. However, it is important to know that these allergy symptoms can have other causes (biological and non-biological indoor allergens) other than mold. Other biological indoor … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Mold and Mildew Exposure
Symptoms of mold (mildew) exposure are generally similar to allergic reactions or seasonal allergies. Symptoms of mold exposure can range from mild to severe, depending on the type of mold, the amount and the length of exposure. The person’s own level of sensitivity will also determine the severity of their reaction. Many times those who have come in contact with mold will have trouble with their sinuses. The sinuses will become inflamed and they may be congested. Usually, their eyes will … [Read more...]