Mold's health risks examined

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Mold's health risks examined

By Mahr

The Desert Sun

April 22, 2002

Chamberland experienced difficulty breathing and a burning

sensation in her throat and eyes.

Palmer suffered headaches and breathing problems.

Both valley residents attributed their health problems in the last year to

exposure to mold in their homes.

" I just can't be here (at home) without being sick, " Chamberland said. " If

you're susceptible to it, it affects your lungs, your throat, your eyes. "

Just how strong a link exists between mold and health problems still is

being researched.

Legislation Gov. Gray signed last year requires the California

Research Bureau to conduct a comprehensive study of the health problems

related to toxic mold.

Also, the national Centers for Disease Control and other research groups

continue to study how indoor molds affect the health of children and adults,

particularly those molds such as stachybotrys chartarum, which may produce

toxins.

Indoor mold exposure does not always present health problems, although some

people are more sensitive to molds and may experience symptoms such as nasal

stuffiness, eye irritation and wheezing, according to the CDC's National

Center for Environmental Health division.

A California Department of Health Services report on mold says some people

may have more severe symptoms or become ill more rapidly than others when

exposed to indoor mold.

They include infants and young children, the elderly, people with weakened

immune systems and people with existing respiratory conditions such as

allergies.

According to the report, stachybotris chartarum does not always produce

toxins, and whether it does depends on what the mold is growing on as well

as such conditions as temperature, humidity and other unknown factors.

At present, no environmental test exists to determine if stachybotrys found

in buildings is producing toxins, the report says.

Nor is there a blood or urine test that can establish whether an individual

has been exposed to the mold or its toxins.

The CDC says it currently does not have accurate information about how often

stachybotrys is found in buildings and homes.

While it is less common than other mold species, it is not rare, according

to the CDC.

Mahr covers courts and higher education for The Desert Sun. She

can be reached at (760) 775-4207 or via e-mail at

.Mahr@....