Molds are microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors, and outdoors. Mold spores are tiny, lightweight, and easily detached by airflow, vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a couch. In indoor environments, they grow in air-conditioning ducts, carpets, pots of household plants, cloth, carpets, leather, wood, sheet rock, and insulation. Because molds grow in moist or wet indoor environments, it is possible for people to become exposed to molds and their products, either by direct contact on surfaces, or through the air, if mold spores, fragments, or mold products are aerosolized. They produce and release millions of spores, which are small enough to stay airborne threatening to invade the human respiratory system. Mold growths can often be seen in the form of discoloration, ranging from white to orange and from green to brown and black. In large quantities, molds can cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen. In order for mold to grow, it needs food sources such as leaves, wood, paper, or dirt, a source of moisture, and a place to grow. 

 

Different Types of Mold

Allergenic molds are normally not dangerous in low amounts, but they can cause allergenic or asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing or runny nose. Allergic reactions can range from mild, transitory responses, to severe, chronic illnesses.These molds can be abated safely with the assistance of gloves and a disposable particulate-removing respirator. Mycotoxic molds can cause serious health effects in humans and animals. Health effects range from short-term irritation to immunosuppression to cancer and even death. If any toxic molds are identified, it is suggested that you seek advice from an Industrial Hygienist or other mold professional for guidance. The average homeowner should NOT attempt the abatement of these types of mold.  Pathogenic molds can cause serious health effects in persons with suppressed immune systems, those taking chemotherapy, those with HIV/AIDS, or autoimmunity disorders. If any pathogenic molds are identified, it is suggested you seed the advice of an Industrial Hygienist or other mold professional for guidance. The average homeowner should NOT attempt the abatement of these types of mold.  Hyphae & hyphal elements refer to single, unidentifiable fragments of mold. Although they may not be traceable to a specific mold species, the fragments themselves may be responsible for allergic reactions in some people and may indicate previous or current growth event. Smut spores are agricultural spores from outside sources. Ascospores and basidiospores are clusters of spores that may not be easily identified as per specific species, but may still represent a mold problem in the home.

How do you come in contact with mold?

Mold spores are found in all homes and offices, and grow rapidly from excess humidity. The following are some sources of indoor moisture that may cause mold problems in a home or office: flooding, leaky roofs, humidifiers, damp basements or crawl spaces, constant plumbing leaks, house plants, steam from cooking, shower/bath steam and leaks, wet clothes, bathroom towels, pets, sweaty sneakers indoors, dirty HVAC systems, spilled liquids on carpeted surfaces and clothes dryers vented indoors.

What can mold do to you?

Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone but the following individuals are at a higher risk for adverse health effects: infants, children, elderly, immune compromised patients, pregnant women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions. When inhaled, even in small amounts, mold can cause a wide range of health problems including respiratory problems (wheezing), nasal and sinus congestion, watery and red eyes, nose and throat irritation, skin irritation, aches and pains, fevers, and in some cases even death.

Causes of Indoor mold Growth

High moisture is the major contributor to indoor microbiological activity (mold growth) . This is due to nutrients for spore germination and growth being readily available in most household constituents. These household constituents can be dirt, dust, wood, paper, adhesives, acoustical fiber, paint textiles, stored material, carpets, floors, and much more.

Why Test for Mold?

Mold, the hitchhiker, is being aggressively spread throughout the world by humans’ traveling and living patterns. We have created millions of square feet of pristine living conditions for molds and we pick up mold spores and bring them home with us every day. All houses will harbor molds and some houses are friendlier to molds than others. All houses need to be monitored for mold growth as part of the maintenance procedures for the house. When any mold or mildew is present, more will come. Only through inspection and testing can it be determined if molds are present and if the subject property is showing signs of mold and mildew friendliness.

Inspecting for Mold

Allergies and sickness due to indoor air quality issues are increasing dramatically. More than 5% of all construction lumber manufactured each year in the United States is used to replace wood that has decayed in service. Allergies and sickness due to indoor air quality, damage to wood-frame buildings by mildew, mold, staining fungi, and decay fungi is entirely preventable. The first step in prevention is inspection and testing.

Mold is a competitive species for real estate, molds live and prosper in the same environment as we do. The houses we live in are wonderful environments for mold. All houses need regular inspections for mold along with other periodic preventative maintenance inspections. Before fungi can colonize, four requirements must be met: air, livable temperature, moisture, and food. Humidity and water leaks are the cause of most mold infestations. Leaks being the easiest to spot are the first indications that mold may be present, however unusual activities may upset the humidity averages in the house and mechanical spaces and allow mold to establish itself.

The Most Common Mold...Known as Black Mold

 Stachybotrys Chartarum is a greenish-black fungus found worldwide that grows particularly well in high-cellulose material, such as straw, hay, wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation, etc. The fungus (mold), before drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch. There are about 15 species of Stachybotrys, with a world-wide distribution. The toxic mold grows in areas where the relative humidity is above 55%. This type of fungus does not grow on plastic, vinyl, concrete products, or ceramic tiles. It is not found in the green mold on bread or the black mold on the shower tiles.

Currently, most health organizations consider exposure to Stachybotrys mold as a health hazard. Also, keep in mind that most responses leading to testing, investigations, and abatement of the Stachybotrys toxic mold are due directly to occupant complaints or documented detrimental health effects. Stachybotrys mold may evolve to a point where it is regarded with the same cautions, response and liability concerns as those attributed to lead-base paint and asbestos. Health hazards and risks associated with concern to exposure to Stachybotrys are currently considered as short-term effects.

• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity
• Dry, hacking cough
• Sore throat
• Nose and throat irritation 
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic fatigue
• Skin irritation
• Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory problems, and mood changes)
• Aches and pains
• Possible fever
• Diarrhea
•  Possible hemosiderosis
• Immune suppression

The Toxic Effects Of Fungal Exposure

 Once one is tested and diagnosed with mycotoxicosis, one should begin to try to assess the extent of the fungal infection and how impaired, if any, one may be.  This is exceptionally important as most physicians are inexperienced in dealing with this illness, and finding out as much as one can would possibly most helpful in describing symptoms and effective treatments. 

Fungi have long been known to affect human well being in various ways, including disease of essential crop plants, decay of stored foods with possible concomitant production of mycotoxins, superficial and systemic infection of human tissues, and disease associated with immune stimulation such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and toxic pneumonitis.  The spores of a large number of important fungi are less than 5 µm aerodynamic diameter, and therefore are able to enter the lungs. They also may contain significant amounts of mycotoxins.  Diseases associated with inhalation of fungal spores can include toxic pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney failure, and cancer.

 The Symptoms of Fungal Exposure 

 Mold toxicity is often the end result with constant exposure to mold of a toxic substance.  A common misconception among allergists who are untrained in this type of toxicity levels in humans, which is technically not their area of expertise unless they have trained specifically in environmental medicine with their  background in immunology, is to do general allergen testing.  Most tests usually come back unequivocal, a 2+ or less.  This induces some physicians to order allergy shots, regardless.  These shots are absolutely worthless to a person who has been heavily exposed to these mycotoxins as they are already in a state of toxicity.  If anything, this could exacerbate the problem.  Because many doctors are not trained in this field, they may try to "guess" at a diagnosis. 

The following are a list of the most common symptoms of fungal exposure (bear in mind, most people never fit all of this criteria). Most people with mycotoxicosis meet at least ten (recent symptoms) of the following criteria:

• Respiratory distress, coughing, sneezing
• Difficulty swallowing, choking, spitting up (vomiting) mucous
• Burning in the throat and lungs
• Asthmatic signs; wheezing, shortness in breath, coughing, etc.
• Diarrhea, nausea, piercing lower abdominal pains, vomiting
• Bladder, liver, spleen, or kidney problems
• Dark urine
• Strange taste in mouth, coated tongue
• Memory loss; short term memory; brain fog
• Vision problems
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headaches
• Slurred speech
• Anxiety/depression
• Ringing in ears, balance problems, dizziness
• Chronic fatigue
• Intermittent face flushing; almost always systemic (called the myliar flush)
• Numbness in face and limbs, intermittent twitching
• Night sweats and hot flashes (especially around the head)
• Elevated blood pressure and triglycerides, heart palpitations
• Nose bleeds
• Bruising easily
• Rash/hives, bloody lesions all over the body 
• Reproductive system; infertility, changes in menstrual cycles
• Sudden weight change
• Cancer
• Hair loss
• Joint pains; swelling
• Heart attack
• Seizures
• Inadvertent facial movements or extremity jerking
• Anaphylaxis upon re-exposure to mycotoxic molds
• Death in some cases

 This site is not intended to give medical advice.  Seek the advice of a professional for medication, treatment options, and complete knowledge of any illness.  The opinions expressed here are exclusively my personal opinions do not necessarily reflect my peers or professional affiliates. The information here does not reflect professional advice and is not intended to supercede the professional advice of others.

 Is Mold Contamination a Health Threat?

 The Fungus Among Us. Molds, a subset of the fungi, are ubiquitous on our planet. Fungi are found in every ecological niche, and are necessary for the recycling of organic building blocks that allow plants and animals to live. Included in the group "fungi" are yeasts, molds and mildews, as well as large mushrooms, puffballs and bracket fungi that grow on dead trees. Fungi need external organic food sources and water to be able to grow.