Your Plants: A Critical Mold Allergy Trigger?
Houseplants & Gardens Increase Mold Spore Growth
Oct 29, 2009
If you’re a year-round allergy sufferer, chances are good that you’re allergic to mold. Symptoms are typically respiratory, including wheezing, nasal congestion, itchy and watery eyes, or a rash and hives. Mold allergies are present from January to December simply because mold itself is so prevalent in our environment and can be difficult to avoid.
What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus present both indoors and outdoors, that grows by “digesting plant or animal matter, such as leaves, wood, paper, dirt, and food and spreads by releasing tiny, lightweight spores that travel through the air” (Gelfand). Mold can also produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – “the musty odor that irritates eyes, nose and throat” (Davis).
Mold grows quickly, thriving in dark and damp places. Most basements, garages, garbage cans, and yard waste are filled with growing mold.
Those with the allergy will be immediately sensitive if mold spores are present in the air, so do not ignore symptoms. “You may not even realize the mold is there – but if you’re sensitive, you’ll react with coughing, wheezing, stuffy nose, or irritated eyes” (Davis). It’s best to discover the source of the mold and control it before it spreads, ruining everything in its path.
Controlling Mold and Mold Spores
Many indoor changes, like regulating the humidity level in your home to 40 percent or lower, can help to curb mold’s production. Air conditioners and HEPA filters can be used to remove mold spores from the air, carpets and upholstered furniture should be removed, and all leaking pipes or other water-damaged areas should be repaired.
If you suffer from mold allergies, most doctors will advise you to avoid certain kinds of food, eliminate fish tanks and aquatic life from the home, use a strong mold-killing agent to clean your bathroom, and give away your houseplants. With the primary mold triggers controlled, residual symptoms can be more easily managed with antihistamine and other allergy medication.
Houseplants: The Enemy?
Parting with houseplants may not be as difficult as giving away a beloved pet, but many allergy sufferers fail to understand the critical link between plants and mold spores. “The soil used to pot houseplants can be a reservoir for mold and moisture. If you have a mold allergy, it’s possible that houseplants can trigger allergy symptoms” (Li).
Typically, outdoor gardening activities and lawn care are off-limits for mold allergy sufferers, so tending for plants indoors should be as well. Once the mold spores are released into the air, they can affect everything in the indoor environment. Without proper action, a sufferer may breathe these mold spores in daily and experience symptoms.
Controlling Plant Mold Exposure
Living a life without contact with plants is an improbable reality. Instead, it’s best to consider actions that can be taken to reduce unnecessary exposure. Keeping the home mold-free and well-ventilated are the first steps, but there’s no reason to stop there.
- Outdoors, be sure to remove piles of damp leaves and yard waste. These are mold breeding grounds and may release mold spores that travel into the home or settle into your fall jacket.
- Keep the windows closed during the spring and fall, when mold spore production peaks. Use air conditioners or filtered fans. Always clean the heating ducts before you turn the heater on for the season, as mold particles may have built up over the summer months (Hoffman).
- If you must do yard work, always wear a mask to avoid inhaling mold spores (Hoffman).
- For indoor plants you decide to keep, spread aquarium rocks over the top of the soil to keep mold spores trapped beneath them. Keeping the spores out of the air will make your houseplants more allergy-friendly.
References:
Davis, J. L. (2008, December). Mold and Allergies: 10 Ways to Reduce Symptoms. WebMD. Retrieved October 14, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com
Gelfand, Dr. J. L. (2005). Mold Allergy. WebMD. Retrieved October 15, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com
Li, Dr. J. T. (2008, April). Mold Allergy: Should I Get Rid of My Houseplants? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 14, 2009 from http://www.mayoclinic.com
Hoffman, Dr. M. (2008, April). Fall Allergies. WebMD. Retrieved October 14, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com
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