What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Black Mold Health Issues
Black mold--the species Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra--has been blamed for health problems ranging from infant lung hemorrhaging to neurological effects. However, because scientists haven't conducted many human studies to assess the specific damage this variant of mold can do, many of the links between health problems and black mold remain unproven.
Allergies
Like any mold, the spores of black mold can cause allergies in susceptible individuals, according to the Environmental Protection Agency 2. The signs of a mold allergy include a runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, coughing and congestion. A black mold allergy may also lead to red, itchy or watery eyes. Skin irritation is another possibility, and can occur from mold spores in the air, even if the person doesn't directly touch the moldy surface.
- Like any mold, the spores of black mold can cause allergies in susceptible individuals, according to the Environmental Protection Agency 2.
- The signs of a mold allergy include a runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, coughing and congestion.
Respiratory Issues
Side Effects of Mold Inhalation
Learn More
In individuals with asthma, black mold may trigger an attack. People with other respiratory conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or emphysema, may notice an increase in symptoms during exposure to black mold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a 2004 study by the Institute of Medicine established a link between indoor exposure to mold and upper respiratory illnesses in otherwise healthy children and adults, as well as asthma symptoms in people with asthma 1.
Health Problems in Infants
The Cleveland Clinic states that babies living in a home with black mold may be more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, although scientists have not conducted sufficient research to label the mold as a cause. A condition in infants called acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage, characterized by bleeding in the lungs, also be linked to the inhalation of black mold spores, according to Berlin D. Nelson, a plant pathology professor at the University of North Dakota. In a 2001 article published by the American Phytopathological Society, Nelson noted that the release of mycotoxins into the air by mold colonies may be a potential mechanism for producing hemorrhagic symptoms. However, the studies suggesting this linkage have has methodological problems, so whether black mold truly causes lung bleeding in infants remains inconclusive, Nelson wrote.
- The Cleveland Clinic states that babies living in a home with black mold may be more likely to die of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, although scientists have not conducted sufficient research to label the mold as a cause.
- However, the studies suggesting this linkage have has methodological problems, so whether black mold truly causes lung bleeding in infants remains inconclusive, Nelson wrote.
Effects on the Brain
Diseases Caused by Black Toxic Mold
Learn More
However, these links between brain disease and black mold also remain unproven--and mostly unstudied.
Related Articles
- himalaja/iStock/Getty Images