Controlling humidity is the key to a “mold free” environment

Did you know that recent studies have found that dampness or dehumidifierhigh humidity can lead to health issues?

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that there is an association between exposure to damp indoor environments and cough, wheeze, upper respiratory tract (nasal and throat) symptoms, and exacerbation of asthma. Also, the IOM concluded that there is an association between the presence of mold and bacteria in damp indoor environments and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A statistical analysis of well-designed, published research studies estimated percentage increases in health outcomes for subjects living in houses with dampness and mold compared to those living in houses without these conditions. The percentage increases estimated were 50% for current asthma, 33% for ever-diagnosed asthma, 30% for asthma development, 50% for cough, 44% for wheeze, and 52% for upper respiratory tract symptoms. (DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013–102)

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends maintaining indoor relative humidity below 60% and ideally in a range between 30% and 60% to prevent mold growth, and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends that relative humidity should be maintained at or below 65%.

The topic for our next blog is tips for how to control the humidity in your home

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