Mould and Global Warming

When we think about climate change, we often think about the impact it has on the environment but what about the impact global warming has on our health?  
 
As the planet becomes warmer our weather patterns will become more extreme, including storms, drought, heat waves and extreme drops in temperature, all of which will have an impact on your health. Climate change will also lead to an increase in death and disease caused by weather and rising seas.
 
 

Extreme storms and the rising sea level 

In 2015, there was 152 floods affecting 27.5 million people and claiming 3,310 lives worldwide and 996 fatalities were recorded. Flooding from extreme storms is due to the ice caps melting and thermal expansion of the oceans which causes the global sea-levels to rise. As climate change gets worse there will be more storms, which will be more extreme and sea levels will continue to rise, causing more flooding.
 
 

The link 

Global warming impacts our health because flooding creates the perfect conditions for mould to grow, this is because mould grows best in warm, damp and humid.
As well as causing serious damage to buildings mould is associated with up to 80% increase in health issues and 50% increase in respiratory and asthma cases.
 
Other health impacts of mould exposure include:
 
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Pneumonia
  • Asthma
  • Dermal and ocular irritation
  • Nasal congestion
  • Respiratory tract infection
  • Mental health impacts (depression, memory loss, difficulty concentrating)
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Pulmonary haemorrhage
 
 

Vulnerable populations 

Climate change affects everyone however we have found 4 categories who are more vulnerable to mould exposure. 
Age 
Children who are under 18 are more vulnerable to the exposure of mould, this is because a child’s respiratory rate can be 2-3 times higher than an adults, this means children experience the effects of poor air quality more than adults.
In 2011 a WHO Report found nearly 12% of new childhood asthma in Europe to be attributed to indoor mould exposure.
Location 
As we mentioned earlier mould favours damp environments therefore areas that are likely to flood will most likely experience more mould growth. Along the coastlines, flooding is often caused by storm and in the city, flooding is caused by rain pooling above ground.
Health 
People with asthma are more likely to have worsened symptoms by exposure to mould. And similarly, a person with pneumonia, allergies and other linked health issues are likely to experience worse effects.
Studies have shown students who reported visible mould in their homes were more than twice as likely as others to have asthma.
Housing 
Certain buildings are more likely to be impacted by flooding and the rate of mould growth. These buildings include:
  • wood framed buildings
  • buildings with old or deteriorated plumbing
  • buildings with rooms below surface grade
  • buildings with old or deteriorated roofs

Protect yourself with Home-Fresh® 

The key to mould control is Home-Fresh®. Home-Fresh® prevents the spread of microbes and stops the growth of mould. Our technology can be incorporated into buildings via a number of products including: carpets, paints, plaster and gypsum.
If you are a home developer look at Home-Fresh® as a USP for potential buyers. Home-Fresh® will enable you to stand out in the market and differentiate yourself from other competitors.
Our formula has been carefully engineered by our in-house chemists and can be discreetly incorporated into any building materials and ensure they retain all of their original qualities.
Home-Fresh® also promotes healthy and sustainable well-being with our air-purifying technology, not only stopping the health impacts of mould due to flooding but continuously creating a healthier living day-to-day.
If you’d like to find out more, contact one of our team members now.