How Mold Affect Human Health in Canada - Essay Example

Mold is a fuzzy-looking fungus that is prone to grow on damp, porous surfaces which are found generally in homes. Materials like wood, plaster, wallboard, and flooring grow molds on them. Since the climate in the region of Canada is cold throughout the year with little or no sunlight, molds are easily grown and inhabited in these areas. (Cooper, 2013)

Humans can come into contact with mold in three different ways: breathing in the mold spores, eating moldy food, and through skin contact. It was found in a study in 1994 that thousands of Canadian homes have water damage and mold (University School of Public Health, 1994). Humid areas experience infestations of mold all over Canada leading to not just minor respiratory diseases but also major ones. Sinus problems, asthma, weakened immunity, cancer, leukemia are some of the diseases which are related to mold. (Palaty, 2012)

The occurrence of all respiratory symptoms was consistently higher in homes with reported molds or dampness. The 37.8%prevalence of home dampness or molds indicates that it is an important public health issue. Although, further studies are needed to explain the pathogenesis. (Dales, Zwanenburg, Burnett & Franklin, 1991)

Mold has grave effects on the people residing in Canada as the rate of molds is high in houses of the humid water-borne regions of Canada.