Toxic Mold, An Epidemic? Some links

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Toxic Mold, An Epidemic?

From an interview with mold expert Ron M. i-

http://activerain.com/blogsview/51143/Toxic-Mold-An-Epidemic

Molds are ubiquitous in nature, and mold spores are a common

component of household dust.

The term toxic mold is sometimes used to refer to mold-related

indoor air quality problems.

Molds excrete liquids or gases as defecatory matter; not all can be

detected by smell. Some molds generate toxic liquid or gaseous

compounds, called mycotoxins. Of these molds, some only produce

mycotoxins under specific growing conditions. Mycotoxins are harmful

or lethal to humans and animals when exposure is high enough.

Exposure to significant quantities of mold spores can cause

toxic/allergic reactions

Growing conditions

For significant mold growth to occur, there must be a source of

water (which could be invisible humidity), a source of food, and a

substrate capable of sustaining growth. Common building materials,

such as plywood, drywall, furring strips, carpets, and carpet

padding are food for molds. In carpet, invisible dust is the food

source (see also dust mites). After a single incident of water

damage occurs in a building, molds grow inside walls and then become

dormant until a subsequent incident of high humidity; this

illustrates how mold can appear to be a sudden problem, long after a

previous flood or water incident that did not produce a mold-related

problem. The right conditions re-activate mold. Studies also show

that mycotoxin levels are perceptibly higher in buildings that have

once had a water incident (source CMHC).

History

Since Biblical times it has been known that indoor mold growth can

be a health hazard. (See Leviticus 14:39-47.) In the 1930s, mold was

identified as the cause behind the mysterious deaths of farm animals

in Russia and other countries. Stachybotrys chartarum was found

growing on wet grain used for animal feed.

In the 1970s, building construction techniques changed in response

to the energy crises. As a result, homes and buildings became more

air-tight. Also, cheaper materials such as drywall came into common

use. This combination of increased moisture and suitable substrates

contributed to increased mold growth inside buildings.

Today, the agriculture industry keeps a close eye on mold and

mycotoxin levels in grains in order to prevent the contamination of

animal feed and human food supplies. In 2005 Diamond Pet Foods, a US

pet food manufacturer, experienced a significant rise in the number

of corn shipments containing elevated levels of aflatoxin. This mold

toxin eventually made it into the pet food supply, and dozens of

dogs died before the food could be recalled.

Causes

Because common building materials are capable of sustaining mold

growth and mold spores are ubiquitous, mold growth in an indoor

environment is typically related to an indoor water or moisture

problem. Leaky roofs, building maintenance problems, or indoor

plumbing problems can lead to mold growth inside homes, schools, or

office buildings. Another common source of mold growth is flooding.

Common molds

Aspergillus

Cephalosporium

Cladosporium

Cryptococcus

Fusarium

Harposporium

Mucro

Ostracoderma

Penicillium

Rhodotorula

Trichoderma

Symptoms

Human bodies can tolerate mycotoxins in small quantities. At what

point they constitute a health hazard depends on each individual.

Immune system reactions vary; the health effects of mycotoxin

exposure include chronic fatigue and irritability, flu-like

symptoms, respiratory problems, headaches, cognitive problems, and

skin problems. A stressed immune system results in a weakened

individual.

Another serious health threat from mold exposure is systemic fungal

infection. Immunocompromised individuals exposed to high levels of

mold, or individuals with chronic exposure paired with mycotoxin

exposure may become infected. Sinuses and digestive tract infections

are most common; lung and skin infections are also possible. Alcohol

and mycotoxin production may result from the fungal growth, leading

to myriad symptoms. Sudden food allergies and digestive problems can

mislead diagnosis. Treatment can be long-term (many years). Systemic

infection may be of the environmental mold itself, or by other

common food-related molds consumed under a weakened immune system. A

weakened immune system may also give rise to opportunistic

infections, for example bacterial infection.

Environmental illnesses can be difficult for healthcare

practitioners to diagnose. Those who are living in houses

contaminated by the mold may not be able to smell any odor and may

be unaware that the problem exists.

Remedies

The first step in solving an indoor mold problem is stopping the

source of moisture. Next is to remove the mold growth. Common

remedies for small occurrences of mold include:

Sunlight

Ventilation

Non-porous building materials

Household cleansers

Significant mold growth may require professional mold remediation

and removal of affected building materials. A conservative strategy

is to discard any building materials saturated by the water

intrusion or having visible mold growth

To meet nationally recognized MOLD expert, Roon M. i, come out

to the next REIA of Macomb meeting on March 29th, which is a

Thursday evening.

Posted by Dylan Tanaka on 02/28/2007 08:38 PM Comments (0)

This post has been included in Michigan Information Macomb County,

MI Information