“My recommendations as a pulmonologist are that we must avoid, for example, in relation to leaks in the structures, we must correct them; keeping those walls with that humidity with mold and spores represents a danger because at some point they will be inhaled and will be harmful; that is a high risk because people sleep and live there,” says the specialist.
SANTO DOMINGO.- The humidity pollution caused by leaks can generate health problems for people living in the environment, such as respiratory and skin problems.
Dr. Ivelise Acosta, a pulmonologist and former president of the Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery, cites atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and asthma as some of the diseases that can be triggered by constant humidity.
“The presence of humidity favors the appearance of microorganisms, such as fungi, mites, bacteria, so to the extent that one is more exposed to the mold that is produced as a consequence of constant humidity, the person may develop respiratory symptoms,” he explains.
She maintains that some people, upon contact with humidity, begin to sneeze, experience itching in their nose and eyes, and develop skin and conjunctival irritation. She points out that some people are more sensitive than others and "have a radar, and as soon as they come into contact with a humid environment, and as a consequence of that odor where the microparticles are present, they begin to react.".
The former Deputy Minister of Collective Health of the Ministry of Public Health argues that in the case of children, whose immune system has not matured, they are much more exposed to aggressions related to infections of any kind.
He believes that not everyone reacts the same way to different types of environments; some are affected immediately, while others take longer and experience slower symptoms, "but in the end we all breathe it in, and as the contact becomes more constant and the exposure greater and for a longer period of time, you're sure to experience symptoms at some point.".
Recommendation
“My recommendations as a pulmonologist are that we must avoid, for example, in relation to leaks in the structures, we must correct them; keeping those walls with that humidity with mold and spores represents a danger because at some point they will be inhaled and will be harmful; that is a high risk because people sleep and live there,” says the specialist.
Acosta believes that the country has a high humidity climate and that stored objects such as books should be aired out because otherwise, when used, they are full of spores that are inhaled and can trigger crises such as in asthmatics or bronchitis sufferers.
It suggests keeping under control all those environmental conditions that contribute to polluting the air, which is what we breathe.
