If winter allergies got you down, surface mold may be to blame. Surface mold grows throughout the hot and humid months in the southeast U.S., especially in August and September. The mold will typically go dormant in the winter; however, the spores are still around. When we heat our homes, the hot dry air desiccates the mold and causes it to release spores. These spores may not grow in the winter, but they will cause allergenic and respiratory issues. In the winter our eyes and noses are already stressed by dry conditions, adding mold spores into the mix just compounds those issues, and can make a person feel miserable. If you find surface mold in your home, there are options to get rid of it. Hard surfaces can be cleaned and clothing laundered. I recommend a complete wipe down and HEPA vacuum followed by Hydro Fog. However, dehumidification is going to be key to prevent the problem from returning next season. Give Assured Bio Labs a call @ (865) 813-1700 if you need to address a surface mold issue.
Winter Allergies
About the Author: Edward Sobek, PhD, MBA
Dr. Edward Sobek has 25 years of experience in microbiology and indoor air quality. He has a master’s degree in Plant Pathology from Iowa State University, where he studied Fusarium disease transmission in field crops. He received his doctorate degree from Texas Tech University where he studied the ecology of desert molds (mitosporic fungi). He obtained his Executive MBA in Healthcare leadership from the University of Tennessee's presidious Haslam School of Business in 2016. Dr. Sobek is an active researcher. He holds the appointment of Senior Research Scientist with the University of Tennessee’s Center for Environmental Biotechnology CEB and has developed and patented several mold detection technologies. He is a sought after speaker on the scientific circuit by educational and governmental organizations that are anxious to learn how to use DNA to detect mold in residential and commercial properties. He has also published a variety of scientific papers, book chapters, white papers, and trade articles for the IAQ industry.
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