Health Risks from Wet Basements!



A wet, untreated basement can lead to poor air quality that can contribute to other dangerous and harmful problems that can adversley affect yoru family and loved ones. 



Respiratory Infections
A wet basement is the perfect breeding ground for black mold and mildew to grow and multiply. If mold and mildew are not properly washed from basement walls using a cleaning solution specifically designed to kill mold and mildew, mold and mildew particles can cause irritation and infection in the lungs. These health risks increase with the level of exposure that is experienced. If mold particles are continuously breathed in, severe respiratory damage can occur.


Allergic Reactions
Microorganisms thrive in wet basements and can pose severe health risks to persons who are ill or have a compromised immune system. Other susceptible individuals include infants, young children and the elderly. Exposure to microorganisms can cause an allergic response including symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy-watery eyes, coughing, sneezing and throat irritation, according to ToxicBlackMold.com. More severe symptoms can also occur including sinusitis and asthma.


Asthma and Other Problems
A wet basement is the result of damp conditions and poor circulation. Exposure to trapped, low quality air can cause irritation to the throat, nose, eyes and mouth and, in some individuals, cause asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and humidifier fever. According to the EPA, highly susceptible individuals, such as persons who are very young, old or sick, can even suffer greater health effects from indoor air pollution than outdoor air pollution. Venting a basement and using air purifiers can prevent stale, stagnant, low quality air.