In many homes, everyday habits that seem harmless can hide unexpected health risks. In cold and rainy months, when drying outdoors becomes difficult, many families resort to extenders indoors. However, a Birmingham University expert warns that this practice can pose an added danger, favoring the appearance of mold and bringing health consequences, especially in poorly ventilated environments.
Steam accumulation released by wet parts increases moisture levels in the air, creating adequate conditions for fungal proliferation. The mold often manifests through dark spots on the walls and a mold odor, settling in cold and moist areas.
According to Rebecca A. Drummond, professor of immunology and immunotherapy at the University of Birmingham, quoted by the British newspaper The Independent, prolonged exposure to mold spores can aggravate breathing problems and, in extreme cases, lead to high -risk health situations.
Homes with little air circulation, namely bathrooms and wet walls, are the most conducive places for the development of this type of fungi.
Spores that circulate in the air
Fungi releases microscopic particles, known as spores, which easily become suspended in the air. Most people breathe daily small amounts of these spores without a significant danger thanks to the response of the immune system.
Defense cells present in the lungs, such as macrophages, can eliminate these harmful elements and prevent infections according to the same source. However, when spores are inhaled in large quantities or when the body is weakened, the risks increase.
The fungi Aspergillus and the Penicillium They are the most common in moist dwellings and are associated with allergic reactions or respiratory complications.
Who takes the greatest risk?
People with debilitated immune systems, such as asthma patients, quinistic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, face greater difficulties in combating mold spores. In these cases, the presence of fungi may trigger serious infections or aggravate existing pathologies.
In asthmatics, for example, contact with spores can cause an inflammatory reaction that reduces the caliber of the airways, making breathing difficult. For some patients, these particles act as potent crisis triggers.
In extreme situations, fungi can germinate within the airways, forming structures that block the lungs and cause internal bleeding, clinical picture that requires urgent antifungal treatment.
Treatments and new challenges
The infections caused by the fungus Aspergillus They are usually treated with antifungal drugs from the Azot Group. These drugs are effective, but, according to the same source, there has been an increase in resistance to this type of treatment.
Resistance seems to be favored by environmental changes. It mentions that studies indicate that higher temperatures, associated with climate change, can help fungi develop defenses against available drugs.
In addition, reports of mold species have emerged that previously did not affect humans, but as a result of adaptation to new conditions, they are now beginning to cause infections.
When danger becomes real
Although a healthy immune system can, in most cases, deal with small exhibitions to spores, excessive moisture situations can be fatal.
A case that marked the United Kingdom occurred in 2020, when the death of small Awaab Ishak was attributed to the high concentration of mold in the housing where he lived. The episode led to the creation of the so -called “Awaab Law,” which forces British landlords to quickly respond to moisture complaints in leased houses.
How to reduce risk at home
Ventilation is considered the main way to combat the mold, according to the source mentioned above. Keeping windows open regularly, even on cold days, helps to renew air and reduce moisture accumulation.
Other measures include the appeal to heated dehumidifiers or extenders, solutions that allow you to dry clothes more quickly and safely, significantly reducing the danger of creating mold.
In a context where climate change can enhance new challenges linked to public health, ensuring healthy inner environments becomes increasingly essential.
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