Toxic Mold

[Lori Anne]

Mold is common in all our homes and can cause any severe health problems. It stuffs you up, makes your eyes red, gives you a cough or a headache.  And sometimes it can be downright lethal.   Not all mold is likely to cause sever allergic reaction though. 

However, there are some varieties of black mold that have toxicity. Prolonged exposure to toxic mold can lead to serious, life-threatening problems. This is why you need to be aware of the symptoms of black mold toxicity.

- Sinus trouble. The most common symptom of exposure to black mold is sinus trouble. This includes nasal congestion, runny nose and sinus headaches. These sinus symptoms are caused by both non-toxic and toxic mold, so with this symptom alone it may be difficult to tell for sure.

- Skin rashes and hives. Your skin doesn't like toxic mold and will do anything it can to resist it. This is why some people experience rashes and other skin problems when they are exposed to toxic mold. It is a natural reaction to the black mold's toxicity, and you should see a doctor immediately.

- Cough and sore throat - If you have a cough or sore throat that just won't go away, you may be suffering from black mold exposure. Regular mold is hazardous to health and can cause some coughing and throat irritation, but if it is ongoing, that is a sign that the black mold contains some toxicity.

- Asthma. The exact causes of asthma are unknown, but studies have shown that exposure to toxic mold, especially in youth, can lead to the development of asthma. If you find yourself developing asthma-like symptoms, it may be an indication that there is toxic black mold present.

- Dizziness or light-headedness. This often goes with the sinus symptoms, and is an indication that the mold in your home contains some toxicity. It means that the mold spores that have entered your body have released toxins that are disturbing your whole system.

- Nausea - Regular mold produces cold or sinus symptoms, but toxic mold may affect your stomach and digestive system. This is because the toxicity can affect any part of your body. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you have been poisoned by toxic black mold and should seek medical help.

- Fatigue - Toxic black mold can make you feel tired and lethargic all the time, even when you've had a good night's sleep. Black mold's toxicity has an effect on your immune system, breaking down your body's natural defenses, and this can lead to excessive fatigue.

- Memory loss or trouble hearing. If spores enter your respiratory system, the toxicity of the mold can work on your brain. Once the toxins are in the bloodstream, they can go to any part of your body. This is why some people who have been poisoned by black mold lose their memory or hearing.

- Bleeding Lungs - In severe cases of toxic black mold poisoning, you may suffer bleeding in the lungs. This is very severe and will require hospitalization. At this point, the toxicity is well inside your system.

If you suffer any of these symptoms, or suspect that you may have toxic black mold, you should hire an inspector to test your home. They can take samples from the mold itself, or test the air for spores. They will send these samples to a lab for analysis and tell you what they find. If you find any mold at all in your house, you should remove it as quickly as possible and remove the conditions that allow it to grow.

[Lori Anne]

In the outdoor environment molds are ubiquitous. Moist conditions involving drywall, wood, carpeting, or paper material are the proliferation medium in the indoor environment for toxic molds. Since Americans spend 75 to 90% of their time indoors, the risk of exposure to toxic molds that may grow indoors is increased. [1] Toxic molds enter the indoor environment through doorways, windows, heating and ventilation systems, and air conditioning systems, given the appropriate circumstances. Spores from toxic molds in the air deposit on people, animals, clothing, shoes, and bags, turning them into common and potential carriers of toxic molds into the indoor environments (home and office). [2] Indoor environments that contain excessive moisture such as leakage from roofs, walls, plant pots, or pet urine cause proliferation and development of molds. The most common molds which are found indoor are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. In order to proliferate, molds need nutrients which are commonly present in building environments such as cellular substrates in paper, paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, wood products, drywall, carpet, fabric, insulation materials, wallpaper, paints, and dusts.

Depending on the quantities produced and consumed, mycotoxins can cause acute or chronic toxicity in animals and humans. Home dampness with resulting mold growth may be associated with several medical conditions (one or sometimes all) including immediate hypersensitivity reaction, hypersensitivity pneumonia, or what has been described as "humidifier fever". I see these patients with recent onset asthma, and/or recent onset sinusitis. [3],[4] Several studies have suggested a correlation between the occurrence of molds in the inside air environment, dampness in the indoor environment, and the symptomatology of the skin, and respiratory tract, especially in children. This has been summarized in an interesting study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology by Robert E. Dales. [5] Since the symptoms in this study were comparable to the symptoms described with humidifier fever and mycotoxicosis, the authors suggested a common pathogenic and etiological mechanism, toxic molds being one. [5],[6]

The role of indoor molds, especially the most toxic one - Stachybotrys, has been evaluated in a scientific paper published in the journal Pediatrics. [7]  The major criticism by the author of the e-mail communication is that there is no scientific paper which can address safe or minimal exposure levels to molds.

[dana]

I have had this mold problem on several occasions,  at different houses I've lived in over the years.   
Here is some more information on a silent but sometimes can be deadly killer,  which can infest our homes without us even knowing.

Black Mold
Mildew or mold (also known as black mold or toxic mold) is a type of fungi that develops and grows on surfaces in the form of powdery or downy substance. Humid/damp surfaces in combination with a very moderate temperature and sufficient amount of light provide the best conditions for mold growth. The toxic mold grows on walls, wood, clothes, food, carpets or any article such sofa (made of leather) etc. The mold growth is not confined only to walls, clothes and surfaces of furniture, it also can grow inside the equipments like air conditioners, HVAC systems etc.

The humidity level/dampness (which is the most important factor for mold growth) on the various surfaces is caused due to many conditions such as leak in the surface causing water to drip and form a damp surface, sufficient humidity in surrounding environment, condensation phenomenon etc.

What are the signs of Mold?
Moisture on the surfaces: Moisture or dampness on surfaces (of wall, wood, clothes etc.) can be treated as very first sign of mold growth (although moisture does not mean mold formation and growth, it is a very important condition for mold formation).
Stains on the wall: Yellowish stains on the wall caused due to moisture helps initial growth of mold. Look out for the greenish, blackish or brownish colored patches on the damp wall that characterizes mold growth.
Odor: Mildew or musty odors is one of the most prominent sign of mold growth. If you experience a musty odor near damp/humid surfaces, you should look out for the other signs of mold growth.
Respiratory system response in the people: If you or anyone staying in the house is hypersensitive to change in surrounding environmental conditions and experience some kind of allergic reaction or respiratory system related problems when you/the person is inside the house, then in that case there is a possibility of high mold growth.
Poisoning due to mold: Poisoning due to the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) formed by mold is one of the most prominent sign of potential mold growth.
Black Mold Poisoning
After mold formation, it needs nutrition to grow, which it obtains by degrading the surface it is growing on. During the process of degrading surface for nutrition, mold causes formation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These VOCs are harmful to human respiratory and nervous systems.

If a person is subjected to high exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) formed by mold, it affects human respiratory and central nervous systems and causes irritation to mucous membranes.

Symptoms of black mold poisoning:
Common symptoms of black mold poisoning are:
Uneasiness in respiration
Headaches
Cough
Red eyes
Development of rashes and hives on skin
Nausea
Memory loss
In some cases, people experience bleeding in lungs
Lethargy
Dizziness
Lack in concentration
Problem caused due to irritation in mucous membranes
Asthma
Allergic reactions (such as itching of nose, runny nose etc.) of respiratory and/or nervous system etc
Irregularity in blood pressure
Damaged digestion and respiratory system
Infections of urinary track, problems in urination etc.
Pain in liver and other internal organs
High level or prolonged exposure to mold can lead to infertility in the patient


How mold can be controlled? (Tips for controlling mold problem)
Moisture is one of the most important factor for the growth of mold. By making it sure that the level of moisture is under check you can keep molds at bay. (Relative humidity i.e. RH can help in finding out when you need to dehumidify your building/house)
If there is any water leakage/intrusion, pipe leak, roof leak, condensation problem etc; it should be prevented first.
Ensure the air conditioners, HVAC systems, and air/ventilation ducts are clean. Normally mold formed in these systems are more dangerous as it easily escapes the human eye inspection.

Bathrooms are the most prone places for mold formation and growth. The tiles, curtains and appliances inside the bathrooms should be properly cleaned/removed in order to avoid mold formation.
If possible, use air purifiers to cleanse the air inside your house. Air purifiers can help in reducing the airborne particles of mold spores.
Now a day, there are many paints/anti mold products available in market that can resist moisture and/or mold at certain level. Using such products can also help in prevention of mold.

By Nilesh Parekh
 
Source:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/toxic-black-mold-symptoms-poisoning.html