A study published by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory concludes that indoor mold exposure increases the risk of respiratory illness by 30 to 50 percent. The paper also explored the underlying cost of unchecked building moisture and mold spread, revealed to cost $3.5B every year.

1. Mold Exposure
Affects Millions
and Costs Billions
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2. A study published by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory concludes that indoor mold exposure
increases the risk of respiratory illness by 30 to 50 percent. The
paper also explored the underlying cost of unchecked building
moisture and mold spread, revealed to cost $3.5B every year.
Risks and Effects
Over 21.8 million people suffer from
asthma in the U.S. The study
estimates as much as 4.6 million of
these as attributable to mold
exposure. Milder effects of this
include nasal stuffiness, throat
irritation, coughing or wheezing,
eye irritation, and skin irritation;
according to the Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine
(IOM) found sufficient evidence to
link indoor mold exposure to a
variety of health problems in
otherwise healthy people. They
observed the increased frequency of
upper respiratory tract illnesses,
asthma, and hypersensitivity
pneumonitis. Evidence also
suggests that it is possible for
healthy children to develop asthma
from continued exposure to damp
indoor environments. Similar
conditions are also linked to
incidents of pulmonary hemorrhage
among infants.

3. Prevention and Cure
The CDC advises adopting measures to prevent mold growth,
since the prevention of mold spore entry is nearly impossible to
do. Controlling indoor humidity to no higher than 50% hampers
the development of mold, while proper leak prevention and
ventilation can deny spores the moisture they need to grow
inside household structures.
Homes experiencing constant floods are especially susceptible to
molds. Owners need to thoroughly dry any affected portions of
the house, as well as cleaning dampened surfaces with a bleach
solution of one cup to every gallon of water. Using this method
requires eye protection and non-porous gloves. For cleaning
areas larger than 10 square feet, it's highly advised to use the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s guidebook titled Mold
Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.

4. Molds are difficult to avoid where moisture is a constant element
of daily life. But, simple preventive measures can save families
the trouble of dealing with illness brought by an easily-
controllable fungus.
RESOURCES:
https://iaqscience.lbl.gov/dampness-risks-house
http://www.waterdamage-saltlakecity.com
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43325/E
92645.pdf