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Earthy or musty smell
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- Newly formed mold has a distinctive earthy or musty smell. Different types of mold have different types of smells, including rotten wood and fermenting alcohol. Mold smells are consistent and can be very pungent. They can also irritate a home’s residents and make them sneeze Mold can be present even if there are no telltale scents in the home.
www.bobvila.com/articles/what-does-mold-smell-like/
May 9, 2024 · What does mold smell like? This Bob Vila guide to mold scents and smells can help you identify—and safely remove—mold from the home.
- Solved! These Are the 8 Telltale Signs of Mold in the House
A musty or damp smell can indicate that mold is growing...
- Solved! These Are the 8 Telltale Signs of Mold in the House
Aug 31, 2023 · A musty or damp smell can indicate that mold is growing somewhere out of sight. The overt appearance of mold, which is marked by green, black, or white patches on surfaces, is undeniable proof of...
Oct 18, 2024 · Understanding what mold smells like can increase the chances of early detection. We spoke with three experts to learn how to identify mold’s distinct musty odor, how to find the source of the smell and what to do when you discover proliferating spores.
Apr 28, 2024 · Mold can have a musty, sweet, or earthy smell caused by mVOCs. These compounds can have a negative effect on health, so it's important to address mold if you see, smell, or...
- Overview
- What is mold?
- Symptoms of mold exposure
- Mold in house
- Causes
- Treatment
- Complications and related mold illnesses
- How to get rid of mold
- Prevention
- Takeaway
Mold can cause health problems, especially for those with allergies or asthma. To avoid mold in your house, take action to eliminate it yourself or hire a professional if needed.
You’re likely to find mold growing in the darkest, dampest spaces. More than a cosmetic problem, mold can damage your home and contribute to health issues.
Mold is an organism that’s part of the fungi family. It grows indoors as well as outdoors.
Outside, molds are an important part of the ecosystem. They help break down plant and animal matter. When mold grows inside, it can sometimes be problematic. It can cause allergies and infections in some people.
Having mold in your home won’t necessarily make you sick, but it does have the potential to cause certain health issues.
Touching or inhaling mold spores can cause allergy-like symptoms such as:
•runny nose and congestion
•eye irritation
•sneezing
•coughing
Mold can be black, white, spotted, or just about any color. It may appear powdery, cottony, or velvety.
If you notice a spot and aren’t sure if it’s just an old stain or a splotch of dirt, here’s how to tell if it could be a sign of a mold problem:
•It has a musty, earthy smell.
•There’s a nearby source of moisture, but not much light.
•You see warping, cracking, or peeling of whatever material it’s growing on.
•A drop of bleach lightens its color in a minute or two.
Mold is everywhere, and everyone breathes in mold spores. Mold allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to certain types of mold, which your body considers to be an allergen. This can result in symptoms such as sneezing and nasal congestion.
Not all molds cause allergy symptoms. The most common types of molds causing allergy symptoms are:
•Alternaria
•Aspergillus
•Cladosporium
•Penicillium
If you believe you’re having symptoms of mold exposure, let a doctor know. It can be hard to tell if mold, another condition, or a type of allergy is causing your symptoms. Your doctor may offer you skin or blood tests to determine whether you truly have a mold allergy.
Treatments and preventative steps for mold allergies may include:
•medications, including nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines
•allergy shots, which may be especially appropriate if you experience severe symptoms year-round
•managing humidity at home, including:
•maintaining the humidity below 50 percent with a dehumidifier
Infections
Most people regularly breathe in mold spores without experiencing any health complications. However, people with certain health conditions may be at risk of a lung infection or other infections from inhaling certain types of mold. Examples of mold-related infections include: •aspergillosis •histoplasmosis •sporotrichosis •valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) You may be at a higher risk of these illnesses if you have conditions such as: •asthma •chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) •sarcoidosis •compromised immune system, including people who take corticosteroids or have HIV •cystic fibrosis •tuberculosis
Asthma
In people with asthma, an allergic reaction to mold may trigger an attack. They may need inhalers to manage symptoms. Some researchers have also found that high levels of mold in homes may be a risk factor of asthma in school aged children.
Pneumonitis
Exposure to a large amount of mold can sometimes cause a more serious reaction known as hypersensitivitypneumonitis. This type of exposure is usually due to occupational or workplace hazards rather than from exposure to mold in your home.
In many cases, you can get rid of household mold yourself. Mold can be removed with:
•commercial products
•soap and water
•a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water
Before you begin:
•Open any windows.
Mold spores are everywhere and are part of the world we live in. It’s impossible to get rid of mold entirely, but there are ways to make your home unsuitable to mold. This includes taking the following steps:
•Fix water leaks immediately. Clean up excess water and use fans to dry the area.
•Repair or replace windows that leak or sweat, as moisture may collect on the frame and sill.
•Maintain 50 percent humidity or lower in your home with air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Change filters and service air conditioners and furnaces as recommended.
•Don’t carpet rooms such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements.
•Keep your home well ventilated. When possible, exhaust fans should vent outside. Use exhaust fans or open windows when showering or bathing.
Mold in your home doesn’t always cause health problems, but it should always be removed. Mold can cause damage to your home and can lead to irritation in the:
•eyes
•nose
•throat
•lungs
If you have a mold allergy or chronic lung condition such as asthma, you’re at risk of more severe symptoms and complications.
- Ann Pietrangelo
Apr 18, 2019 · Yes, mold does have a smell. It often smells musty, stale, and damp. This odor is due to microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) produced by mold during its growth and reproduction stages.
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Feb 4, 2023 · Mold can smell like musty, stale, or earthy odors that are caused by microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Learn how to locate the source of moisture, remove the visible mold, and ventilate the area to get rid of the mold smell.
