Exposure to Elevated Levels of Mold a Potential Link for High Asthma Rates in Puerto Rico

People living in Puerto Rico have some of the highest asthma rates in the United States. Asthma can be triggered by a number of factors, including exposure to elevated levels of airborne mold for some people.
 
A study was conducted several years ago that was a collaborative effort that included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Office of Research and Development, which examined air and dust samples from the inside and outside of homes across Puerto Rico. Although the study was not large, the results did suggest that some residents were being exposed to higher mold concentrations inside of their homes than from the air outdoors.
 
Not only can mold trigger asthma attacks in some people with the condition, inhaling or touching mold may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These allergic reactions are quite common and can be immediate or delayed. Repeated or a single exposure to mold, mold spores or mold fragments may even cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold, and repeated exposure has the potential to increase that sensitivity.
 
As an irritant, mold can bother people’s eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs. Breathing it may also cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), a disease that resembles bacterial pneumonia. Exposure to certain types of mold, such as Aspergillus, a type of mold commonly associated with water damaged buildings, may even result in opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.
 
“Mold is a natural part of the environment, but it’s not healthy to be breathing elevated levels of it in people’s homes, schools and businesses,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Responding to water leaks quickly and controlling humidity levels are two ways to help prevent mold growth from occurring indoors. At Zimmetry, our indoor environmental quality professionals are here to help. We offer comprehensive building inspections, testing and monitoring for mold and moisture problems. If there are issues, our experts can provide the know-how to have it resolved.” 
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their mold, water damage, indoor air quality, environmental, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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