This doesn’t mean that we have to do without insulation and shiver. Houses can be made energy-efficient, but ventilation must be installed to control indoor humidity levels and the growth of mold. We also have to make sure that houses don’t get as wet.
It is not as easy as it sounds, however.
The chief exterior sources of water are snow, rain, and improper drainage. One inch of rain falling on a 2,000-square-foot footprint equals 1,247 gallons of water. If your area receives an average of 40 inches a year, just 1 percent of that finding its way into the interior represents a lot of water. There are many indoor sources of moisture as well, including cooking, breathing, and houseplants. Remember, the problem has to do with water, not the quality of construction materials, even though some materials can accelerate mold growth.
Not every mold is a potential hazard. Still, some people, such as asthmatics, are more sensitive to certain kinds of mold, especially when it is airborne. Can it hurt you? Yes, under the right conditions. Is it a new problem? No. As experts will tell you, mold is even mentioned in the Bible. Without it, cheese wouldn’t age, and Alexander Fleming would have never discovered penicillin.
The chief concern of late has been with black mold. While less common than other molds, this one is more dangerous to humans because, given the proper environmental conditions, it can create multiple toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. These toxic by-products exist in the spores of the mold as well as in the tiny fragments that can become airborne.
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