We generally only hear about mold when it damages buildings or causes illness. After all, what is scarier than the thought of mold growing and spreading through walls or lungs? Yet it often seems like once mold begins to grow, we’re already too late to stop it.

But there are ways to keep people safe. For instance, those with weakened immune systems and mold allergies would benefit greatly, at home and at work, by using PCO technology. Because when we prevent mold growth, we help people with asthma or other serious health complications with exposure.

If you are allergic to molds found indoors, you can experience symptoms all year. In addition, you will likely experience various reactions, such as itchiness, stuffy nose, redness, or swelling. But, of course, not everyone reacts to mold as severely as others. 

For some people, a small contact with a mold spore causes an immediate allergic reaction. Once something disturbs the source of the mold, it may spread spores through the air. In turn, this triggers reactions in some individuals. But how can we prevent mold from growing?   

How you can prevent mold from growing spreading.

There’s no way to stop mold spores. So, asking how you can prevent mold from growing needs a little change. We can prevent mold from spreading too much. However, that depends on the type of mold and location.

Mold can survive in many conditions and climates. It produces spores primarily in places that are consistently damp or moist. However, not all molds are the same. There are even types of aggressive mold spores that thrive in desert conditions!

Inside, mold never takes a holiday. If the conditions are right, it will grow and spread all year. And like most molds, it’s primarily due to humidity and poor air circulation. In addition, water damage significantly increases the risk of mold. We commonly find this fuzzy mold underneath carpeting, in basements, and in insulation, and most likely in that container your coworker left in the refrigerator…a month ago. Let’s not even get into a teenager’s laundry basket.

Though old food containers and neglected laundry can have troublesome mold, it’s not where most indoor mold happens. For instance, mold in and under carpets is more common and problematic. When the carpet is disturbed by foot traffic, vacuuming, or a hoard of children running to their classrooms, mold spores become airborne. And then half the staff at your doctor’s office are all out sick or trying their best despite the allergy issues.

Is it only the fuzzy green mold we need to prevent from spreading?

If you’ve had to deal with mold damage, you’ve probably seen more than the famous fuzzy spores. Mold comes in all colors, even red, orange, and purple. However, the color of the mold doesn’t indicate the level of danger. While black mold is famously seen as the worst, many other molds also produce mycotoxin, an extremely dangerous toxic substance found in some fungi.

The respiratory system recalls airborne mycotoxin-laden mold spores even when the allergic response goes away. Afterward, any subsequent exposure to mold will trigger the production of those same antibodies and produce the same allergic symptoms.

Some types of molds may cause even more severe symptoms, such as pulmonary infections or anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic symptoms that involve the lungs)

The most problematic aspect when it comes to mold prevention is where. If you are indoors for several hours a day, such as in an office, school, store, or home, you are more likely to disturb mold spores and come in contact with them. Now, we have more control over some places, such as our homes. But offices, hospitals, assisted living facilities, schools, stores – anywhere we don’t control the air quality or cleaning of, we’re more at risk. That’s why it’s important for businesses and other establishments to invest more in keeping the environment clean. Utilizing PCO devices can drastically reduce exposure to mold-related issues, which is good for anyone entering a public space. Schools, hospitals, and assisted living facilities can benefit the most by using a device such as the P750 in various rooms, and the more powerful P3000 in large, high-traffic areas.

What you can do.

When mold spores are released into the environment, they can stick to your nose’s inner membranes, which causes hay fever symptoms. In addition, mold spores carry toxins and spread through the air. This is a significant health threat for those with weakened immune systems. When inhaled, mold spores produce several health reactions, leading to various health problems and allergy symptoms. 

Therefore, Improving the air quality of the spaces you are in is a top priority. HEPA filters will help a lot, but only when the mold spores become airborne. Unfortunately, mold tends to stick to surfaces. For this, the best option is a PCO unit, which can clean air and surfaces.

For instance, the Puracleanz P3000 is 95.1% effective at inactivating dangerous mold spores of Aspergillus brasiliensis the mold that causes allergic reactions, and is a surrogate for Toxic Black Mold, Dark Grey Mold, and other species that cause allergic reactions. Just doing this will create a better work environment for employees, a better experience for customers, and a safer institution for students, patients, or the elderly.

As we said before, keep things clean. Remember, only you can prevent mold growth. Wait, that’s the National Park’s slogan for forest fires. How about this:

It’s up to you to put a hold on mold.