It is estimated that mold is present in much larger quantities than bacteria and viruses. If so,
there may be much more disease by mold than we have come to learn so far.
Human Disease Caused by Mold:
Michigan Mold Inspections Company
Located in Birmingham and serving Southeast
Michigan
Telephone: 248 321 4437
For ease of understanding we can organize the health problems caused by mold in three main groups:
- Allergic reactions; from simple allergies to asthma and anaphylactic shock
- Poisoning type disease, caused by mold produced toxins
- Diseases caused by mold living in the human body; called mycoses as a group, they are usually chronic
This classification is only made in attempt to help the reader understand problems caused by mold;
in reality there is no clear separation of the above three groups of
health problems.
Further on, for better understanding we can also classify mold as external and internal
in reference to the human body. Health problems caused by external mold would then refer
to the situation where the individuals suffer due to mold present in the house or building,
and internal mold would refer to the situation where the individuals suffer due to mold
living inside their own body.
Allergic Reactions Caused by Mold
All known species of mold are considered to be allergenic. The range goes from simple
allergic reactions to asthma attacks and anaphylactic shock. The anaphylactic shock is a sudden,
intense allergic reaction that can cause death in a few minutes.
The allergic reactions result from the interaction of the immune system with inhaled mold spores
or fragments of mold. This is why mold has to be removed from living environments even if it is dead
or only remnants of a mold colony have been found.
The amplitude of the allergic reaction depends on individual immune system and not
on the amount of mold spores present in the environment; some people react quick and to small amounts,
others react in time to larger amounts, and some may not react at all.
Poisoning by Toxic Mold
Readers may find in classifications the term potentially toxic mold,
this is because toxic mold does not produce toxins at all times. It is not well understood what are the factors that trigger more or less toxin production by mold cells.
The effects of mold toxins on the human body is not completely understood,
however extensive observations have been done on animals.
Mold toxins can cause non-specific illness symptoms (form lack of energy and appetite
to headaches and lethargy), internal bleeding (in the lungs, liver, digestive tract and so on),
neurological affections (from tremor and lack of coordination to permanent neuronal damage),
and many more. In general lines, these health problems resemble
poisoning.
There is a large number of toxins produced by different species of mold, probably the most
potent is aflatoxin produced by Aspergillum; it causes severe damage throughout the body,
including cancer.
The gravity of poisoning is directly dependent to the quantity of toxin inhaled or ingested,
and it is not dependent on the individual immune system as is the case with allergic reactions.
In case of poisoning all individuals exposed will suffer.
Chronic Disease Caused by Mold; Mycoses
Mycosis is the general term for chronic disease caused by species of mold
capable of inhabiting the human body or specific organs of, and therefore causing disease.
Mycosis are of long duration and very difficult to treat. The most often affected are;
airways, lungs, eyes, digestive tract, and skin. Ultimately they can spread throughout the
body, especially when the immune system is weak.
Occupational medicine describes a large number of mycosis
affecting people who work in environments
with mold such as: Alternaria, wood-pulp worker's lung. Aspergillum, malt worker's lung.
Penicillium, asthma of the cheese worker, and many others. These diseases are not
necessarily specific
to occupations and anyone can be affected. Children growing up in houses with
moldy basements tend to develop a large array of health problems and unfortunately
many will suffer permanent health damage.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Mold cells release in the air volatile organic compounds. These are responsible for the musty odor present in mold infested
houses or spaces. Volatile organic compounds are not mycotoxines, but they can cause symptoms
of intoxication such as; headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue. The symptoms vanish after the
person leaves the mold infested environment and are not known to leave consequences.
The Sick Building Syndrome
Building Related Illness and Sick Building Syndrome are two different terms
used to describe environmental health problems.
The term Sick Building Syndrome refers to illness where no specific cause
has been identified to explain the health complaints.
In other words, we do not understand, or cannot find the cause.
The symptoms of sick building syndrome such as: acute discomfort, headache, respiratory irritations, allergies, dry or itchy skin, cough, fatigue, and others
disappear soon after leaving the building.
The term Building Related Illness implies the same type of health problems.
However, they do not disappear soon after leaving the building, but persist for a long time afterwards.
In either of the two conditions symptoms appear to be directly influenced or exacerbated by indoor
air quality problems.
Mold is a biological contaminant, and probably the most frequent factor identified in
connection with Building Related Illness. Toxic mold is frequently found in the
building or house where inhabitants have been diagnosed with either Sick Building Syndrome
or Building Related Illness.
Besides mold there are other biological contaminants e.g. bacteria, viruses, pollens,
and bird droppings, that contribute to building related illness or were found in cases of
sick building syndrome complaints. Also, involved could be chemical contaminants originating
in the building or entering from nearby outdoor sources.
Michigan Mold Inspections Company: Mold Inspections and Testing Service Area:
I have developed a good methodology for search and
identification of mold and other environmental factors hazardous
to health. My service area is southeast Michigan.
Call any time for an appointment: 248 321 4437
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