From: My House Is Killing Me by Jeffery C. May
Mold needs the same conditions for growth as dust mites: moisture and nutrients.
Mold is a fungi and most fungi reproduce by creating spores. These micrscopic spore cells are generated in great numbers. If moisture is present when a spore lands on a suitable food source, it uses nutrients within it to start growing.
Mycotoxins are the chemicals fungi make as they grow and process nutrients (myco means fungus). Scientests do not yet know what functions mycotoxins may serve, but the more closely investigators look at different species of molds, the more often they find mycotoxins. Though most traditional mycotoxin poisoning is associated with eating toxic mushrooms or mold-contaminated grains, it now seems likely that inhaling spores containing mycotoxins can also be hazardous.
An Aprilaire whole home air cleaner with a MERV 10 media or greater can filter out airborne mold spores from you home. You will also want to make sure that the relative humidity in your home is less than 60%. A typical basement has 70% relative humidity and that's perfect conditions for mold growth. Oh, Aprilaire also makes dehumififiers that put you in control of the humidity level in your home!
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