Texas Floods & High Humidity Levels in Water-Damaged Buildings Can Cause Dust Mite Problems

The historic May rains across Texas resulted in an end to the drought that much of the state had suffered for years.  Unfortunately, it also left a path of destruction and water-damaged homes and buildings in dozens of counties.
 
While today, many people recognize that a water damaged structure can quickly lead to indoor air quality concerns due to the presence of elevated levels of mold, far fewer know that moisture and high humidity levels can also lead to the explosive growth of dust mites.  Dust mites feed on human skin scales that people shed as well as animal dander, fungi, bacteria and pollen.  Since they absorb water from the air and their environment and do not drink water, they thrive in warm environments with high humidity, as can now be found in water-damaged homes and buildings across Texas.
 
“Although dust mites do not bite people, their body parts and droppings can cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma in individuals who are sensitive to exposure to their presence,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.   “Many health experts believe that children’s exposure to dust mites is likely an important factor in causing asthma in children who have not previously exhibited asthma symptoms.”
 
Dust mites are tiny eight-legged creatures that are typically too small to see with the naked eye.  The only way to know if dust mite allergens are present in a home or other type of building is to have it tested.  The indoor environmental quality experts at IEC test for a wide range of known allergens and asthma triggers, including dust mites.  People who suffer from indoor allergies or asthma and live, work or go to school in a water-damaged property or building with elevated humidity levels should consider having the property tested.  
 
To learn more about IEC’s indoor environmental allergen and asthma trigger testing services or other indoor air quality (IAQ) consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.
 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail