Mold: Featured Article

What You Need To Know About Mold

Molds are fungi that cause spoilt food and some diseases as well. Not all of them are dangerous; some even lend a hand in degrading food and other natural wastes. Other types of mold are also instrumental in making beverages, food and medicine. These fungi can be seen anywhere in the world and can virtually survive at some of the more extremes temperatures.

What Are Molds

Mold are microscopic fungi that grow on dead things which are organic by nature. They are so small that people can only see them when they are in their millions. Mold colonies can grow in a matter of hours. These colonies grow as a result of a combination of humidity and temperature. They reproduce in different ways, some reproduce asexually, while other reproduce sexually and yet others can reproduce both ways. Most molds need moisture in order to survive and to multiply along with the right food. These specialized fungi grow as an interconnected entity that has interconnections among themselves.

The Effect of Mold on Our Health

Some types of mold produce allergens which in turn can affect humans if the allergens are inhaled. These allergens may cause allergic reactions like a runny nose and watery eyes, along with sneezing. They may also cause an asthma attack or a skin rash on certain highly sensitive individuals. Molds can also produce a potentially deadly toxin called mycotoxins. This mold product can kill if ingested and it can also affect livestock and poultry through the feeds they consume and still reach humans in an entirely different level because the mycotoxins do not easily degrade or decompose.

Ina total reversal of a deadly role in humans, mold is used to produce penicillin, the antibiotic, to help in some human diseases and sickness. Alexander Fleming was the genius who discovered this medicine that helped save many human lives. To think that this antibiotic comes from a potentially deadly fungs th

Mold can also help humans with the production of some beverages and foods. The more common foods they help produce are several kinds of cheeses and also tempeh and quorn. Tempeh is very similar to tofu while quorn is an exclusive brand of food made from edible fungi. Beverages that mold help to produce are sake and some sort of black tea. In other countries, mold is also used in the production of sausages. Mold can also produce substances like gluconic acid and citric acid.

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December 30, 2008

Cladosporium: Common Household Mold

Molds are found outdoors and within homes. If they are not noticed right away, they may populate quickly and affect large areas of your home. In order for you to distinguish the species of mold growing in your house, you need to obtain a sample of it.Cladosporium is a kind of mold that affects both outside and inside the house. It has around 40 species, which are found naturally around potted plants. They thrive in the soil and decaying plants. On the other hand, Cladosporium may occur as plant pathogen.According to studies performed in North America and Europe, the spores of Cladosporium are circulating in the atmosphere the entire year. However, their concentration or population is extremely low during winter. They are highly present during summer with daily peaks ranging from 2,000 to 50,000 spores per cubic meters of air. The growth of different Cladosporium species within homes and other buildings depends on the concentration from outside environments. The concentration may also be influenced by the indoor sources of the growth.Common Cladosporium SpeciesCladosporium species grow as secondary colonizers of walls within indoor environments. They a
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December 16, 2008

The Secret to Living with Allergies Part 4: For a Healthier Night0s Sleep, Start with Dust Control

When you have indoor allergies to dust, mold and pet dander, you come into contact with allergy irritants all year round. This contact can be the highest in your bedroom, where you come to rest and rejuvenate, but may end up worsening allergy symptoms. The high levels of allergens found in your bedroom can affect your health, and the path to a healthier night0s sleep is through reducing your exposure to allergens and therefore preventing allergy symptoms. While steps should be taken throughout the home to reduce allergens, start in the bedroom as you spend the most time here. When you take these allergy relief steps, you0ll be on your way to a healthier home and a healthier night0s sleep.
Step 1: Cover Your Pillow and Mattress in Dust Mite-Proof Allergy Encasings
Over 1 million dust mites can live in a single bed. These dust mites love the dark, warm and humid environment found in any bedding, such as your pillows, mattress, box spring, comforter, blankets or linens. You are allergic to dust mite allergens, which are the dust mites0 dead bodies and fecal particles. You can protect yourself from the large source of […]

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