Excessive moisture also creates favorable conditions for growth of dust mites. These microscopic mites are notorious for triggering allergy and asthma attacks. They feed on flakes of dead skin we continually shed, so are found in most buildings. Carpets, porous upholstery, and bed linens are notorious reservoirs and breeding grounds for these organisms. Moist conditions also favor survival of many insects.
Moisture can also cause paint failure.
Not only is this an aesthetic and maintenance problem, it can also result in creation of lead-based paint hazards. Though children are occasionally poisoned by eating these chips, most are poisoned when the chips get crushed or otherwise decay into dust particles. Toddlers and other young children who put their fingers, food, and non-food items in their mouths many times per day frequently accumulate toxic doses of lead by ingesting it one tiny bit at a time. Removing damaged, leaded paint can expose workers and occupants to dangerous amounts of lead, particularly when power tools, dry sanding , or use of high-temperature removal processes are used. The National Safety Council's Crossroads Web site is a safety, health and environment search engine and news network that uses subject area experts to answer questions and guide you to information and resources on the Web.