Unless humidifiers are properly maintained, mold can grow in the units and its spores can become airborne. Refrigerators and clothes dryers also can create problems. If the refrigerator is not operating properly, however, significant quantities of stagnant water can accumulate. The exhaust pipes of clothes dryers often contain a variety of microorganisms, including mold. If the dryer is vented to the inside of the home, the spores, along with the excess moisture, are brought into the home.
Molds usually lead to ill health only when they become airborne and are inhaled.
In these circumstances, the growth is sheltered from detection, and mechanically circulated air spreads the contaminants. To summarize, molds require organic matter, excess moisture, and a supply of oxygen to grow. As a result, mold colonies are likely to form in areas of a home that contain stagnant water, or in areas where inadequate ventilation permits a buildup of moisture. Health Concerns Molds are normal elements of the human environment. Allergic reactions generally occur on the skin or in the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.