Moulds - A hidden danger of renovation in Fez

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THE VIEW FROM FEZ

Observations from the Medina of Fez in Morocco

By Samir(Samir)

http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2007/06/moulds-hidden-danger-of-

renovation-in.html

(Wednesday, June 20,2007)

Moulds - A hidden danger of renovation in Fez

It may look very small and insignificant but mould (mold) can cause

serious health effects. Recently one of the members of The View from

Fez was infected by a red mould and was seriously ill with high

fever, headaches, loss of energy and severe weight loss. Recovery

took several weeks.

Red mould on new plaster in a Fez riad

One of the hidden dangers in any renovation process is contamination

of the lungs by dust. Of even more concern is the fungal or mould

growths that can appear on damp plaster in the first few weeks after

it has been applied to walls. In Fez there are at least three

recognised types of mould - blue, green and red. While all three can

have negative effects on individuals, it is the red ( or pink) that

is considered to be the most dangerous.

Red mould in a typical circle pattern

Unfortunately the plasterers will tell you that these growths on

your plaster are temporary and not dangerous. This is wrong. All

mould outbreaks should be treated seriously.

" Mould " describes a wide range of fungi found virtually everywhere

indoors and outdoors. Mould can grow in and on plants, foods, dry

leaves, other organic material, and in soil. In nature, moulds play

an important role in helping break down, or decompose, dead

material. Moulds produce microscopic cells called spores, which act

like seeds to form new mould growths (colonies) when they find the

right conditions. These spores are very lightweight and spread

easily through the air. When moulds grow indoors, spores become

concentrated in the indoor air, and can cause health problems when

they are inhaled in large numbers.

Red mould on fresh plaster

Mould spores are tiny structures produced by moulds for reproduction

purposes. They are so small that we can hardly see some of them even

when magnified 400 times. One cubic meter of outdoor air may contain

as many as 1,000,000 spores. The volume of air we inhale at rest is

estimated at 10 litres per minute. Therefore, in an hour we inhale

close to 600,000 spores. The air in some working environments

including mouldy buildings may contain up to 1,000,000,000 spores

per cubic meter of air. (source: Moldbacteria.com )

Symptoms of Mold Exposure:

Allergy symptoms are the most common health problem caused by

exposure to indoor mould. Although other and more serious problems

can occur, typical symptoms -- alone or in combination -- include:

* nasal and sinus congestion

* respiratory problems such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or

other breathing difficulties

* cough

* sore throat

* skin and eye irritation

* eye irritation: red, watery, blurry vision, light sensitivity

* upper respiratory infection (including sinus)

* fever

* central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory

problems, mood changes)

There is a wide range of individual reactions in people exposed to

indoor mould. For some people, a relatively small amount of any

mould spores can cause health problems. Other people may only react

when a large amount or certain type of spores are present. In

addition, some types of mould can produce chemical compounds called

mycotoxins, although they do not always do so. Moulds that produce

toxins are common, but only a few may cause health problems. Some

types of mould can cause more serious health problems, but this is

much more rare. However, it is important to remember that all

noticeable indoor mould growth (toxin producing or not) is

potentially harmful to health and should be promptly removed.

The acute form is often associated with heavy exposures and

characterized by chills, fever, malaise, cough, and dyspnea

appearing 4--8 hours after exposure and is often confused with

pneumonia. The chronic form is thought to be induced by continuous

low-level exposure. Onset generally occurs without chills, fever, or

malaise and is characterized by progressive shortness of breath with

weight loss . Chronic infection can be confused with idiopathic

pulmonary fibrosis or other forms of interstitial lung disease.

Long term exposure to excessive indoor mould growth may eventually

become unhealthy for anyone. However, the following people may be

affected more rapidly and/or more severely than others:

* infants and children

* elderly persons

* individuals with respiratory conditions or sensitivities such as

asthma or allergies

* pregnant women

* persons with weakened immune systems (chemotherapy patients, organ

transplants recipients, people with HIV infection, etc.)

Consult a medical health professional if you or a family member are

having health problems that you believe are related to indoor mould.