• Molds can trigger asthma and allergies in sensitive individuals. Learn more
   
•  A 1999 Mayo Clinic Study attributed nearly all the chronic sinus infections afflicting 37 million Americans to molds.
  Read the Study

•  According to USA Weekend Magazine, a 1994 study of 10,000 homes in North America by the Harvard University School of Public Health found that half – 50 percent – had water damage and mold problems, increasing the likelihood that occupants would suffer respiratory difficulties. Read the article
   
• According to a recent U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) report, 20 percent of schools have indoor air quality problems, with many of the schools found in poorer school districts.
  Read the GAO Study

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), taking the following steps to rid your home or business of molds can lead to a decrease in allergy symptoms and lessen the potential burden on your pocketbook:

• Clean the area. Use a solution of water and dish detergent to clean the moldy area. Then wipe off the mold. Remember to wear rubber gloves and use a protective mask if your symptoms are severe.
   
• Remove the source. If mold or mildew is visible in carpeting or on wallpaper, remove them from your home. Also, if you have a leaky pipe or roof, quickly repair and seal these moisture sources.
   
• Dry it out. Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and wipe down the shower after use. Periodically clean the bathroom and other mold-promoting places with a product that kills mold and mildew, and throw away shower curtains at the first sight of mold.
   
• Lower humidity. Try to maintain a humidity level of 30 to 40 percent in your house.
   
• Stay above ground. In general, it's not a good idea for people with mold allergies to have a bedroom or a family/work room in the basement.
   
• Air it out. Ventilate damp rooms, attics and even crawl spaces under the house to try to keep them dry. If you use a dehumidifier, empty and clean it regularly to prevent mildew from forming. Also, air filters may help control airborne mold spores throughout your house.
  
  All rooms, especially basements, bathrooms and kitchens, require ventilation and consistent cleaning to control mold growth.