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Where does mold pollen come from? And why is it so high right now?
John H.
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Mold is some nasty stuff, not just what forms on your bread that you forgot was in the kitchen but it's not good to breathe in either.
Mold spores, like pollen, can float in the air and people who have allergies can have issues like congestion or itchy and watery eyes. Mold can increase from rain or temperatures and the wind can play a part too in carrying mold from place to place. In warmer areas, mold peaks in July to late summer. Common mold names are alternaria, cladosporium and aspergillus. You can find mold in rotting vegetation and soil. Mold also lives in places like your house and carpets so it's best to keep them dry.
Snow cover can help to lower the mold count, but when the snow melts, mold thrives on the vegetation the cold has killed. Molds grow wherever there is moisture, oxygen and a few other chemicals needed. You can also find them in gardens with compost piles. Many of the molds that cause allergy symptoms release their spores during DRY and WINDY weather. Hmm....that's something we have a lot of!
Answered by KSL Meteorologist Dina Freedman.
