Re: How The Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure Often Go Unrecognized

[Guest guest]

Sorry, for the following diatribe but I have a lot of concern about

this article. Every section offers mis-statements as truth and states

unfounded conclusions as definitive. It is misleading in all the

wrong ways. Statements from article are followed by my indented

comments.

Recent studies have shown that sinus trouble is almost always caused

by environmental factors. And, the number one environmental factor is

exposure to black mold.

The first is partly true because the irritation or allergic reaction

can create the conditions for bacterial and/or fungal infections. Or,

at least, swelling from the physical irritation. But the second is

absolutely false. Dander, pollen, dust mite and cockroach exposure is

at least as culpable as molds in general. And most molds are not

black mold. Yes, mold exposure is a large part but the reader is

misled into thinking that if they have sinus problems they are

exposed to black mold.

Everyone is allergic to these spores in varying degrees.

Categorically false and misleading in opposite ways. Those that are

allergic are so in varying degrees but not everyone is allergic to

mold spores. Spores are but one component of mold growth to which

people can react. On the other hand, you don't have to be allergic to

be reactive.

There is a link between exposure to black mold in early life and the

development of asthma later on.

This is not anywhere close to being decided. For every study that

claims an association there are others that show the opposite. The

" hygiene hypothesis " is one of those. It says the LACK of exposure in

early life fails to properly prepare the immune system to defend

against environmental exposures.

....but spores enter the body through the respiratory system. From

there, the microtoxins can go anywhere.

Other than the misspelling of " mycotoxins, " most spores are too big

to get beyond the upper respiratory system. Fragments are another

matter. As are the chemical components. But not all spores (or

fragments) have mycotoxins.

If someone you know is suffering neurological damage due to toxic

black mold exposure, you should seek medical help immediately.

This is a scare statement. 1. You will have no way of knowing if

there is damage, neurological or otherwise. The statement assumes if

there is concern, then there is damage. Yes, you will know if they

are suffering but that could be from many sources other than mold,

toxic and black or toxic and green or white and non-toxic. And it may

be temporary, not damage. 2. Black mold is not always toxic.

Stachybotrys, which is not always toxic, is but one of an estimated

20,000 different black molds. Stachybotrys is usually greenish-black

and sometimes other colors. 3. Seeking medical help, as most of us

know, is not as simple as calling any doctor. Most don't understand

or care. Finding the right one is key. But this statement misleads

the reader to think otherwise.

These symptoms are elusive, and that is why you should make sure your

house is mold free.

1. Symptoms ARE elusive. I AGREE with that. 2. Making your house

" mold free " is impossible. Making your house free of mold-growth is

more reasonable., Better yet, make your house moisture free with

humidity below 55-60% (there are variables to this that make this not

always true) and quickly fixing and cleaning up leaks from outside

the house and from pipes and sewers backups inside the house.

Have your house tested, either by a professional or do it yourself

with a mold testing kit from your hardware store. Keeping the mold

out of your house will greatly reduce the risk of developing these

symptoms of black mold exposure.

Testing, as has been debated to death here, is NOT definitive even by

professionals. And self-testing with a hardware store kit is even

less so. Will testing give you information? Yes. Is it reliable and

representative of the structure? A few times, maybe. Are there better

ways of determining is the cause of complaints are mold or chemicals

or dander or pollen? Yes. But mold testing rarely can make that

determination. Assuming mold first and only mold is usually the first

mistake.

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----------------

<Undisclosed-Recipient:;@...>

From: " Lourdes Salvador " <salvadorlourdes@...>

Date sent: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 10:51:39 -1000

Subject: [] How The Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure Often

Go Unrecognized

Send reply to:

> 07 October 2007

> How The Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure Often Go Unrecognized

> http://pr-gb.com/index.php?option=com_content & task=view & id=27875 & Itemid=9

>

> Mold is a serious health problem, but the health risks of exposure to black

mold have only recently come to light. Before, doctors thought that these were

symptoms of other illnesses. The role that black mold exposure plays in these

symptoms is just beginning to be fully studied.

>

> Here are some common symptoms of black mold exposure that are often mistaken.

>

> Chronic Sinus Trouble

>

> More than 35 million Americans suffer from chronic sinus trouble. This means

that you have congestion, runny nose, sinus headaches and other symptoms. You

don't have a cold or hay fever; you just have " bad sinuses. " It's something

genetic that's been passed down, or a seasonal allergy. Most people leave it at

that.

>

> Recent studies have shown that sinus trouble is almost always caused by

environmental factors. And, the number one environmental factor is exposure to

black mold.

>

> Mold releases spores which become airborne. Everyone is allergic to these

spores in varying degrees. When you come into contact with airborne spores, they

irritate your sinuses and produce these symptoms.

>

> Asthma

>

> It has traditionally been accepted that asthma was genetic. It seemed that it

was passed down from one generation to the next, and if it was in your family

tree, you would be more likely to develop it.

>

> However, in the last few years studies have shown that asthma is due more to

environmental factors than it was previously believed. There is a link between

exposure to black mold in early life and the development of asthma later on.

>

> It is difficult to carry out a study on the effect of mold on the development

of asthma, but the anecdotal evidence out there is overwhelming. Hopefully in

the next few years, a definite link will be established.

>

> Flu Symptoms

>

> Some varieties of toxic mold can produce flu-like symptoms. This includes

nausea, fever and headaches. It is difficult to diagnose as black mold

poisoning, however, because it could be so many other things.

>

> Toxic mold spores can cause problems for any part of the body, including the

digestive tract. We usually think of mold having an effect on breathing, but

spores enter the body through the respiratory system. From there, the

microtoxins can go anywhere.

>

> Mental Illness

>

> It is hard to believe that something as seemingly harmless as mold could have

an effect on our brains, but it does. Exposure to toxic mold can have

neurological effects, as spores enter the body and release toxins into the

bloodstream.

>

> Common symptoms include chronic fatigue, hearing and memory loss, and mild

symptoms of dementia. These are symptoms of the very advanced stages of toxic

mold poisoning. If someone you know is suffering neurological damage due to

toxic black mold exposure, you should seek medical help immediately. For more

info see http://www.toxicblackmoldhelp.org/symptoms/symptom_Of_Toxic_Mold.html

on symptom of toxic.

>

> These symptoms are elusive, and that is why you should make sure your house is

mold free. Have your house tested, either by a professional or do it yourself

with a mold testing kit from your hardware store. Keeping the mold out of your

house will greatly reduce the risk of developing these symptoms of black mold

exposure.

>

> Article Source:

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-the-symptoms-of-black-mold-expos\

ure-often-go-unrecognized-225777.html

>

> About the Author:

> You can also find more info on bleach and detergent and black mold smell.

>

[Guest guest]

Great comments, Carl. Are you going to send these comments to the author of the

article in order to help educate him?