Dust

When it comes to allergies, dust really means house dust. House dust consists of the shed skin of humans (i.e. tiny bits of skin that fell off off the body of you, your firends and your family), yeast, dust mites, dust mite droppings, hair, and other little bits and pieces that most people would rather not think of.

OK, don't think of it. But do get rid of it!

Dust is a major allergen, and is generally unhealthy when inhaled.

Opinion

Is it OK to cut down trees for the sake of allergies?

A couple in Palo Alto, California, is having a dispute with the city about cutting trees next to their property. The couple wishes to remove the trees because (or so they say) they have allergies. The city is refusing the request.

The fact is that pollen carries an awfully long way on the wind. As sympathetic as I am towards people with allergies (I have allergies myself), I don't see the point in cutting down trees on properties were the owners have allergies.

I am nearing the end of my house-sitting stint at my friends house - the house with the moldy basement. Most basements in this city are moldy it seems, which is why I am loath to move (I live in a house with a dry, relatively mold-free basement).

I've been managing my allergies by completely avoiding the basement (except for rare occasions, when I have done my best to take a deep breath before opening the door, running down the narrow stairs, doing what I have to do, running up again ... hopefully all on one breath as I slam the door behind me).

Do you find that your allergies are worse in the late fall, after the leaves are down and when it rains a lot?

On of the most common areas for a serious mold problem to occur in a house is in the basement, yet it is probably one of the most ignored. One could say that a damp and moldy basement is one of the biggest but most overlooked disasters for those who have allergies.

A leaky roof or bathtub is much more likely to be noticed quickly and fixed promptly. This probably has a lot to do with people's dislike of damp walls and marred paint. Forgotten in this calculation are health concerns. Mold is a major health concern whether you have an allergy or not.

I am one week into a three week stay, house-sitting for a friend of mine. The air quality is not what I am used to.

Here is one secret to feeling great and having lots of energy: manage the air quality of where you live and where you work.

Air conditioners can be excellent mold breading grounds. dust gets deposited on the cooling fins, then becomes damp because air conditioners condense water out of the air. Damp dust is a pretty good medium for growing mold. The mold may not grow all that well when the air conditioner is running and cold, but between cycles, and during longer periods when the air conditioner is not needed, the mold can have a real field day.

One of the many reasons for going camping is for fresh air. But did you know that your tent can have a mold problem?

It is worth checking the air quality of your tent, especially if you have a mold allergy.

How to Detect a Mold Problem

The first question to ask your self is "does this apply to me?" Allergy or no allergy, mold can cause health problems. It also causes odors.

Corey asks:

Hi Doug,

I have to small couches and an armchair that may possibly have mould due to sitting in a basement for years. My sister and brother-in-law say they smell mould. My brother who knows his way around woodworking doesn't smell mould. I don't have a sensitive nose (damn - there goes a job as a sommelier) and can't smell anything myself. Is there a test one can do to confirm whether or not there is mould. If there's mould it would be in the upholstery as the wood seem perfectly fine.

Any thoughts you may have on the matter would be really appreciated.

Furniture can grow mold for several reasons.

Flood damage or storage in a shed with a leaky roof is likely to cause big mold problems. In this case, dealing with a mold problem is a real health hazard. If you decide to tackle the problem yourself, I advise you to wear a respirator and gloves, and to do the work outside. Definitely do the work outside, or you will spread mold spores all over your work area.