Wingfield Environmental provides a variety of mold related services. These services range from simple indoor air testing at residences, businesses, schools, etc. to providing detailed mold forensic studies for insurance companies at locations where water damage or mold claims have been filed. If you have a need for any mold related work or any questions about potential mold related issues, contact the professionals at Wingfield Environmental. We also provide residential asbestos bulk and air sampling.

Health Effects That May Be Caused by Inhaling Mold or Mold Spores

Inhalation exposure to mold indoors can cause health effects in some people. Molds produce:

• Allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions)

• Irritants

• Potentially toxic substances or chemicals (mycotoxins)

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Mold does not have to be alive to cause an allergic reaction. Dead or alive, mold can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Allergic reactions to mold are common and can be immediate or delayed. Repeated or single exposure to mold, mold spores, or mold fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold, and repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity. Allergic responses include hay fever-like symptoms such as:

• Headache

• Sneezing

• Runny nose

• Red eyes

• Skin rash (dermatitis)

Molds can cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, whether or not individuals are allergic to mold, molds can irritate:

• Eyes

• Skin

• Nose

• Throat

• Lungs

Other Health Effects

Breathing in mold may also cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an uncommon disease that resembles bacterial pneumonia. In addition, mold exposure may result in opportunistic infections in persons whose immune systems are weakened or suppressed.

When mold grows indoors, the occupants of a building may begin to report odors and a variety of symptoms including:

• Headaches

• Difficulty breathing

• Skin irritation

• Allergic reactions

• Aggravated asthma symptoms

These and other symptoms may be associated with exposure to mold. But all of these symptoms may be caused by other exposures or conditions unrelated to mold growth. Therefore, it is important not to assume that, whenever any of these symptoms occurs, mold is the cause.

For more detailed information on mold and its health effects, call the professionals at Wingfield Environmental to see if your home, school, or business may need testing for mold.