ASTHMA and ALLERGY AWARENESS

Health effects of mould are dependant upon the individual, length of exposure, and volume of spores inhaled or ingested. Some effects include, but are not limited to, chronic headaches; eyes, nose and throat irritation; sneezing, coughing, nausea, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, chronic fatigue, asthma and/or respiratory problems.

Asthma:

Asthma causes airways from the nose and mouth to contract affecting the flow of air to the lungs. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing or tightness in the chest. In severe cases, asthma can be deadly. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be managed. It is one of this country's most common and costly diseases.

• 5,000 people per day visit the emergency room due to asthma.
• 11 people per day die from asthma in the U.S.
• Asthma affects 1 in 4 Americans.
• 50% of asthma cases are “allergic-asthma.”
• Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children.
• Nearly 5 million asthma sufferers are under age 18.
• The annual cost of asthma is estimated to be nearly $18 billion.
• Almost 3 million Canadians are living with asthma or roughly 9.5% of the total population of Canada.

Mould Allergies:

Disturbing a mould source can disperse the spores into the air. Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, it is common for people with dander or pollen allergies to get mould allergies although people may become allergic only to mould.

The symptoms of a mould allergy are very similar to those of other allergies, such as sneezing, itching, nasal discharge, congestion and dry, scaling skin.

To diagnose an allergy to mould, the doctor may take the patient's medical history, complete skin testing, and/or do a physical examination.

Allergies cannot be cured, but the symptoms of the allergy can be reduced by avoiding contact with the spores.

Indoor Air Quality:

Indoor air quality in our homes, on average, is 7 to 10 times worse than outdoor air. Some things to be concerned about are chemical aerosols, formaldehyde off gassing and CO2’s.

For more facts on asthma and allergies, please visit:

Asthma Society of Canada: www.asthma.ca
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: www.aafa.org
The Lung Association: www.lung.ca

To find out more information on asbestos and mesothelioma: Mesothelioma