If you look for mould in Bangkok, it won't take you long to find it. Thailand, in general, is the perfect breeding ground for microbial growth.
So, why is there so much of the fuzzy fungus thriving in the Land of Smiles?
The tropical climate here is the ideal setting for mould to evolve. It loves the high humidity and damp or wet environments, as water rapidly speeds up its growth process, which means that it can be triggered by water damage, condensation, leaks, and the presence of high humidity.
Where does mould like to grow?
Mould requires water, food, and oxygen to survive. With the temperature and humidity within Bangkok's rooms nearly always supporting the growth of mould, it will thrive on wood, fabrics, dust, drywall paper, and paints. It can even form on the residue of many bathroom products that create a film layer on bathtubs and showers. Wet surfaces like plumbing leaks, roof leaks, condensation, or pet urine provide the ideal environment to fast-track microbial production. Getting these areas dry as quickly as possible should be a priority to stunt the acceleration.
You can never stop these invisible airborne spores from entering your property, but you can put steps into place to hinder their progress. Keeping relative humidity below 50% to reduce condensation and cutting off the water supply is a great start. Rooms need to be well ventilated, with high-quality fans or air conditioning that are vented to the outside is crucial in combating mould. If your bathroom has no ventilation, keep it as dry as possible by leaving doors and shower curtains open when possible and ensuring all water goes down the plughole after a shower.
Sleeping with mould in Bangkok
Sleeping with mould is another issue. It is not safe to sleep in a bedroom with mould, mainly due to the time you will be exposed to it. Besides triggering many different allergies, and respiratory issues, mould can also create sleeping issues, including insomnia, snoring, and excessive daytime sleepiness.
Sleeping in a damp Bangkok room can cause reduced lung function and kickstart chronic health issues such as asthma. Studies also show that people living in damp and mouldy homes have an increased chance of experiencing depression, increasing the risks of respiratory and asthmatic symptoms.
You will often get a persistent, musty odour when mould is present and those sensitive to it can experience a stuffy nose, wheezing, itchy eyes, and skin just from public exposure, so locating its source and removing the elements essential for its survival can only be a positive step. If allergic, the main symptoms are:
1. Coughing.
2. Sneezing.
3. Sore, itchy throat.
4. Congestion and runny nose.
5. Sinus headaches.
6. Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
7. Itchy, watery eyes.
8. Irritated, itchy skin.
Mould is a contributing factor to sick building syndrome, which is why it is one of the elements we test for during our specialized indoor air quality analysis. Once located, we recommend the equipment required to tackle the issue, ranging from Cleaning to UVC disinfection to Ozone generator-based solutions.