Mold, allergies expected to rise when rain leaves Mold, allergies expected to rise when rain leaves
By Jim Killackey
Published: July 15, 2007
If and when Oklahoma dries up, people who are allergic to mold face medical problems that include sneezing, runny nose, coughing, wheezing, watery eyes and tightness in the chest, an Oklahoma City allergist said.
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While a small group of Oklahomans allergic to mold may be suffering right now, a bigger medical dilemma lies ahead for the majority of those allergic to mold spores, the allergist said.
Already, mold counts are twice what they were last year and soon could reach 50,000 spores per cubic meter of air, said Dr. Warren Filley with the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.
In June and July 2006, mold counts were 2,000 to 5,000 spores per cubic meter of air in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. This year during the same time period, mold counts have been averaging 4,500 to 12,000 mold spores per cubic meter, according to the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic.
And things are only going to get worse after water and floodwaters recede, Filley said.
That's because mold spores growing on twigs, sticks, leaves, dead tree branches, toadstools, grass clippings and wallboards will multiply with increasing temperatures, sunlight and a lack of moisture, Filley said.
As many as 200,000 Oklahomans have allergies related to microscopic mold spores, Filley said.
An increase in discomfort caused by a spike in mold spores should occur during the next week, two weeks or month, he said.
"I think many Oklahomans may not be happy when the state dries out,” Filley said.
He recommends that people allergic to mold stay inside in a filtered environment and wear a mask outside if necessary.
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