With the arrival of fall and the temperatures dropping, toxic black mold will be a problem in many homes over the coming months.
But according to experts, a low-cost trick can stop the growth of fungi and positively impact your family's health.
It may seem strange, but experts are advising people to place a small bowl of salt near their windows.
This simple method helps combat high humidity conditions, which allow toxic black mold to thrive.
Exposure to this mold can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies, and asthma, and in some cases can even be fatal.
"The constant build-up of condensation in the home is not good and in some cases can cause mould growth, which can be dangerous for your family," said Andy Ellis, home and garden expert at Posh.co.uk.
"Simply fill a shallow bowl or small jar with salt – it's a very easy trick that requires no effort."
But does this method work?
Due to activities such as cooking, showering, washing clothes, and even simply breathing, the air inside the home contains a small percentage of water vapor.
This is why we see water droplets sliding down windows during the fall and winter.
When water vapor reaches the window, the cold surface turns it into liquid water – what we call condensation.
Unfortunately, most toxic black mold growth in homes is caused by condensation, which provides the perfect habitat for the fungus.
Mold spores multiply quickly once they find a damp surface – not just windows, but also walls, ceilings, pipes and more – which not only looks unsightly, but can be harmful to your health.
Experts suggest using salt, a hygroscopic substance, meaning it absorbs moisture from the surrounding environment.
The idea is that a bowl of salt draws water vapor from the air before it hits the window, preventing condensation.
“Salt has the ability to naturally absorb moisture from the air and practically dry it out,” Ellis said.
“When the steam hits the glass, fewer condensation drops form. The amount you use depends on the size of the window – usually a small bowl is enough.”
Experts recommend replacing the salt after a few days, when it starts to get soggy and form lumps. It doesn't really matter whether you use sea salt, rock salt, or table salt, as they all have the same effect.
One limitation: salt only starts to absorb water vapor when the relative humidity is high. When the humidity is less than 74%, salt doesn't absorb much water. And in British homes, the average humidity is around 50%.
So the salt trick may not work in your home unless there is a lot of water vapor due to numerous activities like teapots, showers, and laundry.
The most proven method to stop mold is to keep windows open as much as possible, allowing moist, warm indoor air to escape and be replaced with drier, cooler air outside.
However, Brits are often hesitant to do this in the winter because it leaves out the heat.
If you want to eliminate mold during the colder months, the salt bowl method can be helpful. It only costs a few grams of salt – very little to keep mold off your walls and surfaces.
HOW CAN TOXIC MOLD CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS?
Mold produces allergens, irritants, and sometimes toxic substances.
Inhaling or touching the spores can cause allergic reactions, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes. Mold can also trigger asthma attacks.
Black mold often thrives in damp areas, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and shower stalls.
Although not recognized by official health organizations, black mold poisoning can be a form of mycotoxicosis, which occurs when someone inhales too many mycotoxins over a long period of time.
Mycotoxins are fungal metabolites that, when taken orally, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, can cause toxic diseases in humans and animals.
Adverse health effects range from acute poisoning to long-term effects, such as weakened immune systems and cancer, according to the World Health Organization.
Mycotoxins are commonly found in foods due to contaminated crops. Mold grows on grains, nuts, spices, dried fruits, apples, and coffee beans, often under warm, humid conditions.
Exposure can occur directly from infected food or indirectly from animals that feed on contaminated food, especially milk. /GazetaExpress/
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