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Effects of Household Mold on Humans
Mold is a fuzzy-looking fungi that grows on damp, porous surfaces such as wood, plaster, wall board, flooring and behind ceiling tiles. Humans come into contact with mold in three chief ways: inhalation, eating moldy food or through contact with the skin.
Mold in homes is apparently quite common. A 1994 Harvard University School of Public Health study of 10,000 homes in Canada and the United States found that half had water damage and mold. Areas of the country with a lot of moisture such as Florida, Oregon, Texas and Louisiana often experience infestations of milder molds like helminthosporium and cladosporium. However, even milder forms of household mold have been blamed for many health problems, including chronic sinus infections, upper respiratory infections and an increase in asthma cases.
The amount of mold required to initiate symptoms varies greatly from person to person and is dependent upon your respiratory system or immune system. Though not all household mold is toxic to humans, there are several strains that are associated with serious illnesses and health risks.
Allergic Responses to Mold
Breathing in mold spores can cause an immediate sneeze or a delayed allergic reaction, as long as six hours later. Respiratory reactions may include coughing, sneezing, nasal congestion or infections, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Other common symptoms are watery or burning eyes, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal bleeding, skin rashes and tiredness.
Toxic Black Mold
What If There Is Black Mold in Walls?
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A mold becomes toxic when it multiplies and sends dangerous mycotoxins into the air. The most toxic and dangerous molds for humans are stachybotrys (black mold), penicillium and aspergillus 2. Toxic molds have been linked to memory problems, brain damage, cancer of the kidneys, esophagus and liver, and leukemia. Toxic molds can weaken your immune system and even damage cellular and DNA structure, resulting in recurring major illnesses, infertility, miscarriage, and birth defects.
Black mold has been the subject of hundreds of legal settlements and sizable awards around the United States against builders, insurers and corporations. An Eagle Lake, Florida woman who had contracted pneumonia six times in a year and a half due to mold in her new house was awarded $903,000 by a jury. An employee of a computer company suffered permanent and irreversible damage to his inner ear and vestibular system, resulting in a permanent loss of balance. A North Carolina jury awarded him $1.6 million for his injuries, and $200,000 to his wife for loss of his company and services.
- A mold becomes toxic when it multiplies and sends dangerous mycotoxins into the air.
- Toxic molds can weaken your immune system and even damage cellular and DNA structure, resulting in recurring major illnesses, infertility, miscarriage, and birth defects.
How Household Mold Forms
The secret to formation of mold is water; without moisture mold cannot form nor spread. Mold is likely to be present in any place in your home where water has been sitting for 24 hours or more. Stachybotrys typically grows in moist environments on materials high in cellulose such as wallpaper, ceiling tile, stacks of paper, insulation and wood. However, any area of your home soaked with water is likely to allow toxic mold to form. Moisture may also be trapped behind shower walls, in carpets, under toilets or cabinet sinks, behind ceiling tiles, and in or around air-conditioning and heating ducts or joints.
- The secret to formation of mold is water; without moisture mold cannot form nor spread.
- Stachybotrys typically grows in moist environments on materials high in cellulose such as wallpaper, ceiling tile, stacks of paper, insulation and wood.
To Prevent Mold Infections
Diseases Linked to Black Mold
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To reduce opportunities for mold in your home, clean and sanitize refrigerator drip trays, garbage pails, humidifiers and air conditioners regularly. Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated with a working fan or open window. Inspect attics and crawl spaces, furniture cushions, foam pillows and mattresses, closets, basement walls and air conditioning ducts for moisture often. Take immediate corrective action to eradicate all water leaks and moisture. Clean away mold as soon as it is visible. Use a soapy detergent and water solution that contains an anti-fungal such as chlorine bleach (1 cup per gallon of water). Rubber gloves should be worn to protect your skin from exposure to the mold. Dry the cleaned area thoroughly and dispose of all cleaning cloths.
- To reduce opportunities for mold in your home, clean and sanitize refrigerator drip trays, garbage pails, humidifiers and air conditioners regularly.
Related Articles
References
- AllergyEscape.Com—The Truth About Toxic Mold
- Awardspace—Toxic Black Mold Symptoms
- Borchers AT, Chang C, Eric gershwin M. Mold and Human Health: a Reality Check. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2017;52(3):305-322. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8601-z
- Balmes JR. Chapter 107. Molds. In: Olson KR. eds. Poisoning & Drug Overdose, 6e, New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
- Bozek A, Pyrkosz K. Immunotherapy of mold allergy: A review. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017;13(10):2397-2401. . doi:10.1080/21645515.2017.1314404
- Cipriani F, Calamelli E, Ricci G. Allergen Avoidance in Allergic Asthma. Front Pediatr. 2017;5:103. doi:10.3389/fped.2017.00103
- Chinoy B, Yee E, Bahna SL. Skin testing versus radioallergosorbent testing for indoor allergens. Clin Mol Allergy. 2005; 3:4. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol (2017) 52:305–322. doi:10.1186/1476-7961-3-4
- Edmondson, DA. Allergy and “toxic mold syndrome.” Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005 Feb;94(2):234-9. doi:10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61301-4Get
- Coop, CA. Immunotherapy for Mold Allergy. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol (2014) 47:289–298. doi:10.1007/s12016-013-8389-4
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods. Published June 9, 2006.
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Writer Bio
Deborrah Cooper is an ISSA-certified trainer and ACE lifestyle consultant specializing in women, sports nutrition, program design and post-rehab fitness. She is also a dating coach and advice columnist. In 2007 she wrote "Sucka Free Love!" a hilarious guide to smarter dating for modern singles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from the University of Houston.