The two-week CPO-climate change conference in November ended with a few agreements towards decreasing greenhouse gas pollution and measures to stop deforestation. Worldwide leaders discussed climate change and how to mitigate the effects it will have on the environment and human health as well as the importance of adaptation and change. All of these actions are crucial, not only to save human lives but to save the natural realm from degradation. There’s an aspect missing from these conferences, though. Another result from the effects of climate change and one that also directly affects human health: indoor air quality.
Climate change and the impact it will have on our world has been one of the most globally talked-about issues over the last few decades. We’ve heard how this phenomenon will alter the natural environment, the effect it will have on ecosystems, the human lives that could be lost, and the health impacts it will cause. The point in mentioning this is that each of these topics has been discussed to great lengths. We, the public have been informed.
Our indoor spaces will be just as affected by these massive events and will similarly impact our health. And it can happen at any time, in any home, in any country. Yet, most probably haven’t heard about this aspect of climate change or pondered what it will mean for their homes. It’s time for this conversation to be brought to the forefront of our attention, alongside the other devastating effects climate change could have on our world.
The Indoor Air Quality Epidemic
We breathe an average of 20,000 breaths per day. What we often don’t factor in is where we take those breaths. Chances are, most of our inhalations are taken inside buildings. A majority are probably done right in our own home. That begs the question, what’s in the air that’s being taken into our bodies?
As a society, we attribute proper exercise, a well-balanced diet, and adequate sleep to good health, but what about the air we’re breathing in? If that air is filled with organic particles such as mold fragments, mold spores, microscopic toxins, and bacteria, our health will be affected. The human body considers these particles foreign invaders and deploys the immune system to get rid of them. When you encounter a few of these particles throughout the day, it’s not a huge job for your immune system.
When a high volume of these particles exist inside of your home, contaminating the 14 or so breaths you take a minute, it’s a much larger task for your body. Eventually, the immune system won’t be able to keep up with the influx of these organic particles, and a long list of adverse health effects can spark up. Those with compromised or developing immune systems will be at greater risk for developing symptoms more quickly and severely. Genetics, preexisting conditions, and other factors will also play a role. Eventually, though, everyone living in that indoor space who is being exposed could feel some effect.
As the climate continues to change, more opportunities will exist for mold growth to pop up indoors and wreak havoc on our indoor air quality and our health. Building awareness of this health threat and actively setting forth plans to handle it are the first steps towards ensuring safe homes for those worldwide.
The Mold Problem
Mold growth inside homes is a little-discussed topic (so far) and one with massive amounts of misinformation regarding it. With its impact on our homes and our health, this needs to be remedied sooner rather than later. Many homes may already be suffering the consequences of poor air quality due to mold growth.
So, what’s the deal with mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that’s incredibly important for the natural environment. It reproduces by creating microscopic spores, similar to the seeds of a weed. These tiny spores are sent off into the air and ride the current wherever it may lead. With over 100,000 species identified so far, these spores are indeed everywhere. Considering the vast amount of air and space in the world, that’s not a problem. You’ll probably encounter a few throughout the day while you’re out and about and even inside of your home. As mentioned before, a couple of spores aren’t a problem.
When a spore finds its way inside of our homes and stumbles upon a habitable place to live, that’s when things get dicey. This spore will settle into that area, begin growing, and then immediately start releasing spores into the air. As more and more spores fill up that indoor air, it 1) decreases the indoor air quality, 2) increases the number of foreign particles inside of your body by the minute, and 3) increases the likelihood that a lucky spore will find another habitable spot inside of your home. Another spore factory starts the cycle all over again while compounding the situation. To make matters worse, some species of mold can also release microscopic toxins called mycotoxins that are released along with mold spores. Already regulated in our food by the FDA, these toxins can cause a list of adverse health reactions to those exposed.
Situations like this can happen in the blink of an eye. A mold spore only needs four things to live, most of which are easy to come by inside of our homes. These include:
Oxygen: they require very little, which allows them to live inside of walls.
Temperature: a temperature-controlled space is a dream, but with so many species, they can exist in most indoor climates.
Food: they eat almost anything.
Moisture: the missing ingredient for life.
It only takes 24–48 hours for a mold spore to grow. That means that if a mold spore comes into contact with a wet or slightly damp area inside a home for that short time, a mold problem will develop. Most of society equates mold growth with a massive flood or catastrophic leak, but the truth is that any water event can allow this fungus to grow: high indoor humidity, a window left open during a storm, a tiny leak in the attic, or a spill on the carpet that wasn’t properly cleaned up.
As the climate continues to shift, more of these massive water events will occur, adding to the list of wet opportunities mold spores can exploit. From tsunamis and flash flooding to massive snowstorms and hurricanes, our houses will be battered by moisture. Not to mention the changes in local climates that can lead to more humidity indoors if homeowners aren’t prepared to mitigate this moisture.
Depending on the source of the water event, bacteria may also be present alongside the colonized mold and is another contaminant our body will face. Flooding, in particular, will be a major concern here.
Starting the Movement
Like any aspect of climate change agreements and actions, solving this health crisis will take time, effort, and cooperation. We’ve got to increase our awareness, change the way we think, and alter the current “norms.” Together, we can work towards creating safer and healthier indoor environments, but it all starts with taking the first few steps.
Those living in a home must be aware of the circumstances that can lead to mold growth, actively work towards preventing these situations, and have action plans in place should this fungus manage to get inside. We’ve been conditioned and instructed to consider many aspects of homeownership, like replacing appliances when they go out and hiring repair workers when needed, but for most individuals, mold was never a topic that received much thought. With the impact it can have on our health, that needs to change! Daily, monthly, and yearly tasks need to be included in our maintenance plans to ensure our homes are protected from mold growth as much as possible. Investments need to be considered to help support better air quality within the home. Checkups need to be scheduled to ensure no mold colonies have managed to sneak in.
If mold growth does occur in a home, an understanding has to exist of what needs to be done and how it has to be completed promptly. Again, mold can grow and begin affecting our indoor environment in as little as 24 hours. As the individuals living inside of that home, we’ve got to know who to call and what to expect from them. Unfortunately, not all mold inspectors and remediation companies are built the same. Coming into the situation already knowing what to expect for accurate testing and remediation can ensure that our homes will be set on a path for decontamination that won’t come back and/or continue to affect our health and the health of our families.
It’s a shift in perspective and a change to our normal lives, but it’s necessary. If our homes aren’t already being impacted by mold growth, the chances of them being affected in the future will only continue to grow as the years go by. Both from climate change and from how homes are currently being built.
Collective Action
The other piece of the puzzle in creating better indoor air quality involves industries directly related to mold.
Obviously, the remediation industry will be at the forefront of ensuring our homes are safe and free from mold growth and contamination. As it stands today, not all remediation companies are equipped for the task. All of these companies must work hand in hand with science to understand how best to decontaminate a home. This includes removing the colonized mold, fixing the source that led to it in the first place, and removing all of the contamination, from mold spores and fragments to bacteria and mycotoxins. Failure to achieve each of these tasks equates to a failed remediation. The mold could return and the exposure will continue. All of which can affect the health of those living inside. Our homes are supposed to be our safe spaces, so these companies have to understand the importance of their job and do everything in their power to create healthy indoor environments.
Insurance companies will be the next line of defense for helping homeowners create safe spaces. Do plans exist regarding mold? Is the coverage amount adequate for typical renovation costs? Do clients understand what their options are? Are policyholders aware of any exclusions to that coverage? All of these questions should be addressed by companies within the insurance realm. It’s an added layer of protection for their clients by helping ensure that should a mold event occur, they’ll be able to immediately begin the process of getting rid of the contamination in their homes. No one should have to suffer from poor air quality because of a lack of insurance coverage.
The construction industry will also play a role in safeguarding homes from poor indoor air quality. While we work on making homes more energy-efficient, we also have to consider how to prevent mold growth at the same time. Using products to discourage mold growth, building practices to avoid mold growth during construction, and structure formats will all play a role. Like the remediation industry, working with science and experts will be needed to formulate plans and practices that will help keep our homes healthy.
Government regulations will be a tricky but necessary part of creating safer indoor spaces as well. At the moment, there are no regulations for mold or mycotoxin levels in indoor air. However, the CDC does state that any mold growth should be removed from buildings immediately. And, as mentioned before, the FDA already regulates the number of mycotoxins in our food, but not in our air. Regulations will help keep companies accountable and be an added protection for those renting or in subsidized housing. For those working inside of buildings, this will also work to limit exposure should mold be growing inside of these locations as well (which, it probably will if it’s not already).
These are just a few examples of industries that will need to be involved to make sure our indoor air quality remains safe and our families healthy. Especially as climate change continues to grip our planet.
Looking to the Future
We consume more air than anything else throughout the day. Considering this, it makes sense as to how poor air quality can have such a large impact on our health and why it’s so important for us to be aware of and consider what we’re breathing in.
In the coming years, we’ll continue to face the changes sparked by climate change and the impact this has on the natural world and our air quality—both indoors and outdoors. To help us breathe better, we’ve got to start working towards ensuring that this air remains as clean and safe as possible. With the impact it can have on our health and well-being, it’s definitely worth the work.
MICHAEL RUBINO is an air quality expert who helps bridge the gap between the air in our homes and its direct impact on our health. Rubino works with over 100 doctors globally to not only raise awareness but also provide solutions to correctly identify and remove the pollutants causing this global health crisis. As President of All American Restoration, Rubino specializes in working with people who are immunocompromised or have acute and sustained reactions to mold exposure and has helped heal over 1,000 families—including celebrities and athletes. He is also a council-certified Mold Remediator by IICRC and ACAC and is a contributing member, sponsor, and speaker for the Indoor Air Quality Association. He is the author of The Mold Medic and a contributor to MindBodyGreen. Rubino has been featured on Gwyneth Paltrow’s The goop Podcast and goop’s website, Brandi Glanville’s Unfiltered podcast, Luke Storey, Forbes, USA Today, and Bloom TV, to name a few. He hosts the YouTube series, Mold Talks, where guests include medical experts as well as mold recovery patients, including media icon Atoosa Rubenstein.
