Upstate Residents warned about Mold

An often-overlooked health concern each summer is mold. There are tens of thousands of mold species that exist, most of which have not been documented. Mold grows best in warm, damp and humid conditions. Therefore, that lingering summer cold could actually be mold instead, says Kay Davis with NANO Cleaning Solutions of Seneca. “Allergens, irritants and in some cases some potentially toxic substances, hay fever symptoms, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash; all of these allergies are very common, so a lot of people are walking around right now thinking they have a lingering summer cold when in reality mold is their problem.” Bleach does not kill mold, continues Davis. “It’s a myth that we should use it. It is actually a toxin, not a cleaner. It causes respiratory issues, skin burns, damage to the nervous system, headaches and vomiting. So, bleach is not only incapable of killing mold, it’s also very ineffective in disinfecting it. The only effect it will have is you may see a color change in the mold and it may look like it is gone but the spores are still there and they are coming back.” If you suspect mold in your home, clean it promptly and fix the water problem. It is important to dry water-damaged areas within 24-48 hours in order to prevent mold growth.