Skip to main content
FamilyEducation
FamilyEducation
Family Education

FE-Menu

  • Pregnancy
    • <blank>
      • Pregnancy Tracker
      • Trying to Conceive
      • Signs & Symptoms
      • Pregnancy Health
    • <blank>
      • Baby Names
      • High Risk Pregnancies
      • Preparing for Baby
    • <blank>
      • Concerns & Complications
      • Labor & Delivery
      • Postpartum
  • Baby Names
    • <blank>
      • Browse All Baby Names (A-Z)
      • Top Names for Boys
      • Top Names for Girls
      • Baby Name Generator
    • <blank>
      • Baby Name Lists & Ideas
      • First Names By Origin
      • Browse All Last Names (A-Z)
      • Last Names by Origin
  • Babies
    • <blank>
      • Caring For Your Baby
      • Baby's Health
      • Feeding Your Baby
    • <blank>
      • Your Baby and Sleep
      • Baby's Growth & Development
      • Baby Hygiene
    • <blank>
      • Baby Safety
      • Baby Products
    • <blank>
  • Toddlers
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Growth and Development
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Behavior and Discipline
    • <blank>
      • Your Toddler and Sleep
  • Kids
    • <blank>
      • Health
      • Childhood Development
      • Fitness & Nutrition
      • Childhood Safety
    • <blank>
      • Communicating with Your Kids
      • Childhood Behavior and Discipline
      • Fostering Responsibility
      • Instilling Values & Manners
    • <blank>
      • Childcare
      • Neurodiversity in Kids
      • Adopting Children
  • Teens
    • <blank>
      • Teen Health
      • Teen Puberty & Sex
    • <blank>
      • Behavior & Discipline
      • Teen Social Development
    • <blank>
      • Values & Responsibilities
  • Activities
    • <blank>
      • Printables
      • Indoor Activities
      • Learning Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Performing Arts
      • Food Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
    • <blank>
      • Books
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Online
      • Quizzes
      • Games
      • Celebrities
    • <blank>
      • Parties
      • Travel
      • Toys
      • Holidays
      • Gifts
  • Learning
    • <blank>
      • By Grade
      • By Subject
      • College
      • Preschool
    • <blank>
      • Back to School
      • Study Skills
      • Learning Styles
    • <blank>
      • Homeschooling
      • Parental Involvement
      • Your Child's School
  • Family Life
    • <blank>
      • Mom Life
      • Dad Life
      • Family Relationships
      • Having a Healthy Marriage
      • Divorce
    • <blank>
      • Health & Fitness
      • COVID Resources
      • Managing Your Home
      • Moving Your Family
      • Pets
    • <blank>
      • Family Finances
      • Work
      • Families and Food
  • NewslettersNewsletters
    Newsletters

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Family Life
  3. Managing Your Home
  4. Home Improvements and Maintenance
  5. Dealing With Mold

Dealing with Mold

Mold problems often occur after you have experienced water damage in your home. Find out how to handle them.
  • facebook share icon
  • pin
  • twitter share icon
  • email share icon
  • Print page icon

In this article, you will find:

  • Why is mold a problem?
  • Mold exposure
  • Cleaning it up

Why is mold a problem?

Dealing with Mold

In the Nick of Time

Mold is, to put it simply, fungi. Microscopic mold particles are always present both indoors and out and can be found in soil, plant matter, foods, and other items. Although molds typically get a bad rap, they are an essential part of the world around us as they help break down dead organic matter like fallen leaves and dead trees. Molds also produce spores, which are microscopic cells that can spread through the air. When mold spores land in the right conditions, they can form new mold growths or colonies. No one knows exactly how many types of mold there are; estimates range from tens of thousands to as many as 300,000 or so.

Mold and mildew growth are the some of the biggest reasons why it's important to start cleaning up water disasters right away. Mold and mildew are the same thing; mildew is just another common term for mold growth.

Mold has received a lot of media attention in recent years, as problems with it indoors are on the rise. Interestingly, it's more of a problem in newer homes than in old construction. Such things as the materials used and more airtight construction methods are believed to be the culprits.

Not all molds can cause serious problems. But some definitely can. One infamous example of mold gone rampant involved an 11,500-square-foot luxury home in Texas. In the late 1990s, the house developed several plumbing leaks. This led to the growth of a mold called Stachybotrys atra, an especially lethal strain that produces airborne toxins that can cause breathing difficulties, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, bleeding in the lungs, and memory and hearing loss. Other, less potent molds can cause skin and eye irritation, asthma, and sinus problems.

The family involved developed serious health problems, including difficulty breathing, stomach problems, brain seizures, and memory loss. They also had to abandon their dream home. They eventually won a $32 million judgment (it was later reduced to $4 million) against their insurance company.

Mold problems draw their share of controversy. While there's scientific evidence linking mold in homes and buildings to asthma symptoms and other respiratory problems, a 2004 report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies didn't find enough evidence to support the association between indoor dampness or mold and other health problems they reportedly cause. The panel, however, did warn that research was limited and that further studies were warranted.

Next: Mold exposure

What's hot

  • Eye color genetic chart Family LifeWhat Color Will My Baby'…
  • 10 Signs of Divorce Family Life10 Signs Your Marriage is Over
  • woman standing on scale Family LifeWhat's a Normal BMI for…
  • Young girl eating a oatmeal with berries after a workout Family LifeCalorie Intake for Weight…
NewslettersNewsletters
Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.
Family Education
FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found here.

FE Footer

  • Newsletter Center
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Editorial Team
  • Expert Panel
  • Cookie Policy
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info (for CA Residents)
sandbox learning logo
Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. 

factmonster logoinfoplease logoTeacherVision logo

sandbbox logo
©2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company.