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Triggers
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| Molds
are a species of plants which grows on damp places with high
humidity. They are green - black reticular growths commonly seen
over damp places in monsoon season. Molds are microscopic
fungi. These reproduce by releasing spores into the air which then
settles on organic matter and grow into new molds. Air born spores
when inhaled can lead to asthmatic attacks. Asthma caused by molds gets aggravated during the later part of
rainy season. Optimum temperature for this growth is 20-30 degree Celsius
and humidity above 70 percent.
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HOW
RAIN CAUSES ASTHMA?
Example :
Dinesh Kumar, 25 years, was suffering from bronchial
asthma for the last 16 years. Till last summer he
was perfectly alright. There was incessant rain in
the first fortnight of July month followed by 2-3
sunny days. On one of the sunny days, Dinesh had
asthmatic attack in the night.
Curiosity:
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What caused asthmatic attack?
- How
the problem was solved?
Expert
Comments:
It was found that
Dinesh had got mold allergy during the rainy season.
Mold grows over damp places and with subsequent
growth, mold spores are released on a sunny day.
These affected Dinesh.
Please
click here to share your similar experiences with
others
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Molds |
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Where one should look for presence of mold growth?
Outside
the house
- All organic
material.
- Plant material
in damp places.
- Piles of leaves.
- Cow-buffalo dung.
- Grain storage.
- Logs of wood.
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Inside
House
- Damp walls.
- Dark and poorly ventilated
places such as basement.
- Damp places such as
bathroom.
- Indoor plants.
- Furniture, and over the
wall behind furniture.
- Refrigerator.
- Paper, Files, Book.
- Shoes.
- Pads of cooler and air
conditioner.
- Food: Bread, potato,
pickle, onion, red chillies.
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| What factors affect growth of molds? |
Mold grows repeatedly
- Humidity is high.
- Less cleaned places.
- Can grow round the year.
- Organic and plant
material.
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Molds are
killed rapidly
- Killed with reduced
humidity (<50%).
- Regular cleaning unsettles
it.
- Properly painted walls
after water proofing.
- Bleaching kills it & prevents
regrowth.
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| How to
reduce growth of molds in the house? |
- Seal
the water leakage in the walls of the house.
- Put
paints and plaster with proper water proofing over walls of bathroom
and other dark,poorly ventilated places of the house.
- Check
in closets and storage areas for accumulation of molds in the articles
such as shoes, books etc. Air out regularly if there is suggestion of mold growth.
- Shoes
furniture, paper, files & other articles lying in damp places
should be kept in open air and under sun after wiping .Use face mask during cleaning.
- Walls and
articles having mold-algae growth should be cleaned by wiping with a
wet cloth.
- Check mold
growth in the water cooler & air conditioners and remove it by
using mold killers.
- Indoor plants
should be avoided.
- Exhaust fan
should be used in bathroom and kitchen, both the major sources of
humidity.
- If possible
humidity should be kept between 25-50 percent.
- Cow-buffalo
dung should be avoided.
- Beware of
visiting garbage areas.
- In rainy
season, avoid going to damp basement, room and to the places of grain
storage.
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TRIGGER:
MOLD
EXPOSURE |
ASTHMA
STYLE |
| Going
to basement and store places in rainy season |
- In
rainy season ,avoid going to damp basement room
and to the places of grain storage.
- Put
a mask on the face before going to above places.
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| Bedroom |
- Encase bedding in allergy
impermeable zipper cover.
- Avoid foam rubber pillow and mattress
as they are particularly likely to become moldy
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| Damp
walls of rooms or bathrooms |
- Put
paints and plaster with proper water proofing over
walls of bathroom and avoid dampness.
- Use
a exhaust fan.
- Use
a squeegee to remove extra water from tub, tiles
and shower stall.
- Wash
shower curtain, bathroom tiles, shower stall, tub
and toilet tank with mold killing and mold
preventive solutions.
- Do
not carpet the bathrooms.
- Windows
of damp rooms should be kept open to allow dry air.
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| Growth
of molds over articles
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- Shoes,
furniture, paper, files and other articles lying
in damp places should be kept in open air and
under sun after wiping.
- Empty
the garbage containers frequently and keep them
clean to prevent the growth of molds.
- Correct
the drainage problem near the house as the pooled
water increase the mold formation.
- Use
face mask during cleaning.
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| Molds
on water coolers or air-conditioners |
- Check
mold growth in the water cooler & air
conditioners and remove it.
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| Kitchen |
- Use an exhaust fan to remove
cooking vapors.
- Molds grow in refrigerators,
particularly around door gaskets. Empty water
pans below self defrosting units frequently.
Remove spoiling food.
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| Increased
Humidity in the house |
- Kitchens
and bathrooms are main sources of humidity the
house. Therefore these should be provided with
exhaust fan which removes humid air.
- Avoid
indoor plants.
- Humidity
in the house should be less than 50 percent. It
can be achieved by using air conditioners or
dehumidifiers.
- Excess
water on floor should be squeezed with the sponge
or removed by wiping cloth.
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| Visiting
garbage area |
- Beware
of visiting garbage areas or use a wet face mask.
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| Mold
growth on walls and articles |
- Bleaching
can kill molds and prevent re-growth.
- Keeping
hepafilter will check entry of outside spores from
mold growing out of the house.
- Polyprolyne
filament ionizer is useful in reducing spores from
indoor air. Filter of this should be washed every
month.
- On
drying on a hot day spores are released from the
mold in the air therefore in rainy days mold
should be cleared before a sunny hot day.
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MAKE YOUR OWN
MASK
To make a mask, take a
piece of baniyan cloth and fold it twice in 5" x
3" size. Now put elastic or cotton bands on all
the four corners. Tie this mask on your face,
while going out during pollen season. To enhance
the efficiency of mask put some water in the
central portion & then squeeze it just
before use. |
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