Toxic molds in immediate environment affect human health

[Guest guest]

Dr. Redd opened his testimony by stating that: " While there remain

many unresolved scientific questions, we do know that exposure to

high level of molds causes some illnesses in susceptible people.

Because molds can be harmful, it is important to maintain buildings,

prevent water damage and mold growth, and clean up moldy materials. "

Toxic molds in immediate environment affect human health

The Daily Star - Dhaka,Bangladesh

Shalim Uddin

Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/05/25/d705251802106.htm

Molds, also known as fungi are essential components of the ecosystem

causing decomposition of many organic substances necessary to plant,

animal as well as human life but excessive exposure to molds has

been a severe health issue for humans. Molds grow on walls,

curtains, or sufficient moisture and organic matter available in

private homes, office buildings, schools, automobiles, and other

locations. Toxic mold or black mold can be deadly, especially to

children with mold allergies. After black mold begins to grow,

microscopic mold spores quickly become airborne and travel

throughout air conditioning and heating systems. You can inhale over

a half million spores per minute without knowing it.

Symptoms associated with toxic mold may include asthma, sinus

headache and nasal congestion, memory and hearing loss, dizziness,

skin rashes and hives, excessive fatigue, flu-like symptoms, ongoing

sore throat and chronic cough, bleeding in the lungs, pulmonary

hemorrhage, permanent cognitive defects, increased risk of

tuberculosis. While it may not be possible to identify specific

individuals who may be vulnerable to molds the elderly, small

children and infants, and those with compromised immune systems and

allergies are the most susceptible to mold related symptoms. Mold is

a warning sign that there is a leak or high moist area, it needs

your attention, and must be fixed.

Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce, just as some plants produce

seeds. These mold spores can be found in both indoor and outdoor

air, and settled on indoor and outdoor surfaces. When mold spores

land on a damp spot, they may begin growing and digesting whatever

they are growing on in order to survive. Three things needed for the

development of fungi are fungal spores, a food source and water. The

microscopic spores can spread everywhere indoor and outdoor by air

movements, people and animals. It is physically impossible for the

average building to be free of fungal spores. A fungus can live on

practically anything; therefore the focus on preventing fungal

growth is the control of water. Moisture can enter a building

through several ways: outside air infiltration, water diffusing

through the building envelope, moisture in construction materials,

leaks into the building and water damage from burst pipes or from

fire extinguishing. Of these possible ways of entry, the more

complex to control are humidity problems arising from the intrusion

of humid outside air and water diffusion through the building

envelope.

Certain molds are water-loving, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium,

Stachybotrys, and Acremonium, and experts generally agree that

excessive growth of these types can cause allergic reactions in mold-

allergic individuals. A wide variety of humidity-causing conditions

can facilitate indoor mold contamination. Water intrusion, often

from defective construction or faulty plumbing, can be the problem.

A leaky roof, a burst pipe, or reoccurring water penetration into

the building will provide a moist area for mold to grow. Wood,

ceiling tiles, gypsum board, and many other standard building

materials may provide nutrients for mold growth. It has been found

that vinyl siding on the interior side of an exterior wall may

permit mold growth if any moisture reaches the inside of the vinyl

siding. Building humidifiers, air-conditioning systems, damp storage

areas and crawl spaces may also provide a welcome environment for

mold growth. Paints, coatings, and lacquers applied to wood products

are alleged to cause mold growth when the wood is wet.

Stachybotrys existing in only one well known species, Stachybotrys

chartarum or S. chartarum, is known to produce the mycotoxin

trichothecene which has been extensively studied since its

pathogenicity first appeared in Russia in 1920. Various symptoms,

including stomatitis (trench mouth), rhinitis, conjunctivitis,

pancytopenia (inadequate blood cells of all types) and neurological

disorders develop in animals following ingestion of hay contaminated

with Stachybotrys. When more studies were done to determine if the

mycotoxin could be volatised with high air flows over large amounts

of stachybotrys, the toxic effects seen with direct injection could

not be duplicated, leading to the conclusion that mycotoxins of

Stachybotrys can be produced or get airborne only under certain

limited environmental conditions.

Stachybotrys has also been associated with " sick building syndrome, "

the media-friendly label given to residential or commercial

structures thought to have conditions that adversely impact indoor

air quality (IAQ). Stachybotrys has been detected in buildings with

problematic ventilation systems, but it is less common and in lesser

amounts compared to other molds such as Aspergillus, Penicillium,

Alternaria, and Cladosporium.

The last ten years have seen an explosion of mold claims in the

courts and in the media. Due to the lack of scientific evidence

supporting these claims there have been conflicting results when

evidence of the health effects of mold is offered to a court.

Sources of moisture may include improper " drying in " during

construction; or improper design, construction, or maintenance of

the building envelope, the HVAC system, or both. Sources of moisture

for mold growth typically include: (1) stagnate water and slime

found in drain pans of fan coil units and other elements of the HVAC

system; (2) water spray components of HVAC systems; (3) excessive

relative humidity within the building or HVAC system; (4) flooding

or excessive water or fluid leaks within the building; (5) flooded

carpeting; (6) permeable materials such as acoustic dust liners

within the HVAC system; (7) external microbial contaminants drawn

into the building as a result of improperly located air supply

intakes; and (8) other external water leak sources such as roof

leaks.

The medical and scientific literature contains differing opinions

regarding the potential health impacts of mold exposure. Many

plaintiffs in toxic mold cases say that exposure to mold has either

made them sick, caused them to lose their job, or exacerbated pre-

existing physical conditions. Others allege that mold growth has

damaged and destroyed their property, causing them to move out, or

damaged and destroyed their business, causing them to have to sell

the business.

Medical research has shown a potential link between certain mold

growth in buildings and human disease. However, the lack of

specific " dose-response " data and the numerous other sources of

indoor air pollution (tobacco smoke, chemicals, dust mites, and so

forth) present problems in proving that exposure to a specific mold

caused specific symptoms.

Compounding the problem is the fact that a building may have both

microbial and chemical contamination with multiple causes for each

type. Poor indoor air quality may result from fumes or gases emitted

from plastics, fibres, coatings, or chemicals used in building

components or furnishings, office operations, or building cleaning.

Some fungi emit VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that cause

unpleasant odors, including the characteristic moldy smell

associated with damp basements. Thus, pinpointing mold as the cause

of an individual's health complaints can be difficult where there

are multiple materials in that individual's environment.

Although full coverage of the medical aspects of mold contamination

is beyond the scope of this article, certain medical issues are

important for building professionals whether they are architects,

engineers, lawyers, contractors, owners, or suppliers. Over the last

few years there has been a huge increase in lawsuits involving mold.

Property damage and personal injury against insurers; construction

defect claims against builders, contractors, and architects;

Personal injury claims against building owners and managers;

workers' compensation claims against employers; and, contractual

claims between occupants and landlords.

Regardless of the source of the complaints, building

owners/managers, contractors, subcontractors and designers should

not ignore them. Complaints related to hot/cold temperatures, excess

humidity, unusual odours (chemical or musty) or health complaints of

headaches, sinus problems, lethargy, shortness of breath and similar

types of health issues must be taken seriously. There may be a

pattern to these complaints that indicate a problem with indoor air

quality due to mold. If a pattern is shown or the complaints exceed

a minimum number, the building owner/operator should hire qualified

experts to investigate. The options for investigation will depend on

the nature and severity of the symptoms. They may range from

isolating the specific area to a large scale epidemiological survey

and evacuation of the building. Mold problems can be extremely

difficult to pinpoint due to the multiple factors involved. For

example, if the evidence indicates that mold is the potential source

of the symptoms there are a number of ways to test for and remedy

the mold with conflicting theories on the best method.

Dr. Redd opened his testimony by stating that: " While there remain

many unresolved scientific questions, we do know that exposure to

high level of molds causes some illnesses in susceptible people.

Because molds can be harmful, it is important to maintain buildings,

prevent water damage and mold growth, and clean up moldy materials. "

Doctors testified that studies show mold infections occurring in

susceptible people such as immunosupressed individuals in hospitals

and that mold is associated with some cancers. There are two

mycotoxins produced by mold that are classified as human

carcinogens: aflatoxin and ochratoxin A. Ingestion of these toxins

has been associated with liver and kidney tumours. Other respiratory

infections, such as hypersensitivity, pneumonitis, as well as

allergic reactions due to mold exposure have been reported.

However, mold growth should be prevented because some people are, or

may become, allergic to molds.

Widespread contamination poses much larger problems that must be

addressed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with a health and

safety specialist. Effective communication with building occupants

is an essential component of all remedial efforts. Individuals with

persistent health problems should see their physicians for a

referral to practitioners who are trained in

occupational/environmental medicine or related specialties and are

knowledgeable about these types of exposures.

Shalim Uddin is a city research scientist in USA, e-mail:

Msuddin6813@...