More and more of our Minneapolis clients are becoming curious about indoor air quality. In this article, Northern's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® looks at how mold impacts indoor air quality.

Lady cleaning the window

What Is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality is a term which refers to the air quality within your home, workplace, school, etc. This term especially relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Indoor air quality has increasingly come into focus, as studies have shown that indoor air quality can often be worse than outdoor air.

What About Mold?

We know that excessive exposure to mold can create health issues for people. Mold is incredibly resilient and adaptable. It can gain the nutrients it needs through the decomposition of organic matter, like paper or trash. All mold needs in order to grow is a readily available food source, undisturbed water, and time. Some molds can grow in as little as four to 12 hours. Left undisturbed, mold can grow and spread in 24 to 72 hours.

What Causes Mold Growth?

Floods, leaking pipes, leaking windows, and leaking roofs are all potential sources of moisture that can lead to mold infestation. Increased humidity as a result of poor ventilation or improper drying of flooded areas can also lead to mold growth. Call Northern’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning if you think you have mold growing in your home or workplace.

What Are the Health Risks?

Certain health effects — such as those related to allergic reactions like irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat; dermatitis; exacerbation of asthma; and respiratory distress — have been proven to be associated with mold exposure. Other reported effects such as fever, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, respiratory dysfunction (including coughing up blood), excessive and regular nose bleeds, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, liver damage, and impaired or altered immune function have been identified in persons who have been exposed to mold via inhalation.

Call Northern's One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning®

If you have questions about mold or indoor air quality, give us a call at (763) 284-8639.