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RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MOLD
Every person is at risk to become infected with a mold-related illness; however, there is a wide variability in how different people are affected by indoor mold. The following people are more likely to be affected more severely and sooner than others:
• Infants and children
• Elderly people
• Individuals with respiratory conditions
or allergies and asthma
• Person with weakened immune system
Anyone who feels that his or her health has been affected by indoor mold - especially the types of people mentioned above, should contact a medical professional so the condition does not worsen.
SENSITIZATION & ALLERGIC REACTIONS
There are several diseases that are correlated with the sensitization of the human body to a wide range of species of molds that are inhaled. This section covers only a few of the more common diseases caused by sensitization and, in turn, allergic reactions to inhaled molds.
First it is important to understand the basic pathology of sensitization and allergic reactions. When exposed to high enough concentrations of specific molds, the body sees the intruding mold as a harmful foreign body and begins to attack it through the production of antibodies. These antibodies attack the intruding body, called an antigen. The reactions of the antibodies attacking the antigens are considered allergic reactions. Once the body becomes sensitized to what it is that it is exposed to, antibodies are formed. These antibodies are programmed into the body's immune system to attack any repeat intruders' therefore, each time an individual is exposed to a contaminant he or she is sensitized to, an allergic reaction can be expected. This is the same case with mold exposures when the molds are inhaled. When molds are inhaled, they are filtered out at various stages of the respiratory system. The point, at which the molds begin to accumulate, or colonize, is considered the site of toxicity. The sites of toxicity are the exact locations that experience the physiologic side effects of the mycotoxins produced by the invading molds. Some molds cause sensitization in the upper respiratory system. Others pass through the respiratory system and enter the blood stream, potentially sensitizing internal organs. Following are brief discussions on diseases caused by inhalation of molds.
SINUSITIS
Sinusitis is caused from sensitization from inhaling mold spores into the Para nasal sinuses. There are four different pairs of sinuses that can be affected.
These include:
1. Frontal - over the eyes
2. Maxillary - inside the cheek bones
3. Ethmoid - bridge of the nose
4. Sphenoid - behind the ethmoid
Each of these four causes a different sensitization. However, each of these sinuses branches into the nasal passage for exchange of air and mucous. During this exchange mold spores can be taken into one of the four different regions of the sinus. Upon spores entering one of the sinuses, an allergic reaction takes place causing inflammation and closing of the sinuses to the nasal passages. Once this happens, pressure builds up within the sinus, causing a painful sensation to the individual. These infections can last from a couple of days to longer than a month. A specific type of sinusitis is allergic mycotic sinusitis, where colonies of mold adhere to the sinus wall, causing inflammation.
Signs & Symptoms:
• Headache and or pain over the upper jaw aggravated by coughing or chewing
• Fever
• Nasal discharge
• Feeling heaviness all over face
• Purulent discharge trickling into the throat leading to cough
HEALTH PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MOLD
Allergic Rhinitis
Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis develops after sensitization of individuals to airborne contaminants. Once a person is sensitized, antibodies are formed to fight specific allergens. The antibodies also attach to mast cells located in the nose and eyes, which then release histamines. These histamines cause itching of the eyes, sneezing, congestion and nasal discharge. Thus being exposed to certain airborne mold species, individuals can react within a short amount of time. One in five Americans is believed to have allergic rhinitis. Persistent allergic rhinitis may develop into sinusitis.
Bronchopulmonary Mycosis
Inhaled mold spores may sometimes establish colonies within the bronchial passageways. Once they colonize, mycotoxins are produced, and bronchopulmonary mycosis is diagnosed. If left untreated, this condition may develop into fibrosis of the lungs.
Allergic Asthma
Asthma is an inflammation or constriction of the lung airways. Reactions can take place that increase the severity of such inflammation and constriction. One such reaction is through allergic sensitization. In such cases, an individual inhales a mold toward which he or she has developed sensitivity. Upon entering the airways, the mold triggers an asthmatic response where the airways become inflamed, making it difficult to breathe.
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Molds have the potential to cause harmful side effects to humans. Before they can cause such side effects, they must first enter the human body and then be distributed to the appropriate site within the body. Once the molds reach their intended site, they go through a basic metabolic process. It should be noted that the metabolic processes that each mold experiences is typically the same. Molds colonize on an organic food source, consuming it. Within the human body, the byproduct of such process, typically a poison to humans, is called mycotoxin.
Mycotoxins are the reason for the adverse health effects in humans. These health effects include inflammations, allergies, and/or infections. Mold spores enter the body through inhalation and ingestion. They can also be absorbed into the body through the skin. Once they enter the body, they can become harmful depending on the sensitivity of the individual, toxicity of the mold, and susceptibility of the exposed individual. It has been found that mold spores that are inhaled have greater toxicity to humans than those absorbed by the skin or ingested. Molds can also be an antigen to the body.
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HOW MOLD AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH
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If you are exposed to mold, it can be very hazardous to your health depending on the type of mold and the severity of it. People are mostly exposed to mold by breathing the spores or other fragments. You can also be exposed through skin contact with mold contaminants by touching a moldy surface or by swallowing some mold.
The type and severity of health effects that mold can produce are usually difficult to predict. The risks can vary greatly from one location to another and from person to person. Certain people are more susceptible to illnesses caused by exposure to mold.
About 5% of individuals are predicted to have some allergic airway symptoms from molds over their lifetime. For almost all allergic individuals, the reactions will be limited to rhinitis or asthma; sinusitis may occur secondarily due to obstruction. To reduce the risk of developing of exacerbating allergies, mold should not be allowed to grow unchecked indoors.
When you discover mold colonization, it should be remediated after the source of moisture that supports its growth is identified and eliminated. Children living in damp or water-damaged homes are more susceptible to a variety of diagnosable respiratory illnesses such as asthma, wheezing, cough, phlegm, etc. although dampness may indicate potential mold growth, it is also a likely indicator of dust mite infestation and bacterial growth. The relative contribution of each is unknown; but mold bacteria, bacterial endotoxins, and dust mites can all play a role in the reported spectrum of illnesses and can all be minimized by control of relative humidity and elimination of water intrusion.
The health effects of mold are generally grouped into the following four categories:
Irritation - for some people, the mold odor can irritate mucous membranes and cause headaches and other symptoms. This odor comes from volatile organic compounds produced by mold as it degrades organic substrates and is generally considered one of the primary causes of irritation.
Allergy - Allergic reactions are typically the most common health problem. Symptoms include respiratory problems difficulty breathing, nasal and sinus congestion, burning/ watery or reddened eyes, dry hacking cough, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, skin irritation, headaches, memory problems, mood changes, aches and pains, and possible fever.
Infection - There are an estimated 100 species of mold known to cause infections in humans, and immune suppressed individuals are especially at risk. Infections can be localized or systemic. Aspergillosis is a common fungal infection requiring hospitalization. Other fungi can infect hair, skin, and nails.
Toxicosis - Many species of mold produce toxic metabolites called mycotoxins, which are believed to be most prevalent in spores. Mycotoxins are of special concern since some may pose a great hazard to humans. Mycotoxins have caused nerve damage, organ damage, and cancer. Symptoms of toxicosis from mold include cold and flu-like symptoms, headache, nosebleeds, memory problems, fatigue, dermatitis, and immune suppression.
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The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms.
Although other and more serious problems may occur, people exposed to mold commonly report problems such as these:
· Nasal and sinus congestion
· Cough
· Sore throat
· Upper respiratory · Burning or watery eyes · Skin and eye irritation
· Blurry vision or sensitivity
· Dry, hacking cough
· Chills/Fever
· Memory problems
· Nose bleeds
· Breathing difficulties
· Mood changes
· Aches and pains
· Dermatitis
· Immune suppression
· Fatigue
· Headaches
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MOLD HARMS BABIES
Babies growing up in damp homes where mold and mildew are present develop more respiratory illnesses such as croup, pneumonia, and bronchitis. The finding appears in the July issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Damp living conditions have long been linked with children's lower respiratory problems. But the role of mold and mildew in the home has never been clear, writes lead researcher Paul C. Stark, PhD, a professor of environmental health with Harvard University School of Public Health. It's an important issue, since young children with respiratory infections have significantly worse problems later on, he writes. Children's immune systems develop in the first year of life. In their study, investigators followed 499 infants during their first year -- all children of parents with asthma and allergies. Every two months, a researcher checked with the child's caregiver to see if there had been pneumonia, croup, bronchitis, or other respiratory problems. Mold and air samples were taken from each home throughout the study. Researchers found that 324 homes had high levels of more than one type of fungi. When factored with other environmental information, such as number of siblings, whether siblings attended daycare, water damage in the home, and number of units in their building, they found that children in homes with the most fungi -- mold, mildew, or water damage -- had an 86% higher risk of developing upper respiratory infections in the first year. Those children who did not wheeze but had respiratory problems were most affected by household fungus. For non-wheezing children, their sensitivity to fungus is likely not an allergy but an inflammation of small airways that can lead to respiratory problems.
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HOW MOLDS ATTACK
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| ARE SOME MOLDS MORE HAZARDOUS THAN OTHERS? |
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Molds tend to attack different systems of the human body depending on their form and how they enter the body, whether through ingestion or inhalation or absorption. In this section, the basic absorption/entrance, distribution to sites, and sites of toxicity are discussed.
Mold spores are probably most well known for their ability to cause sensitization and allergic responses. We are also exposed to their airborne byproducts. Either way, airborne exposure to mold remains the biggest concern when looking at molds and their effects on human health.
A vent contaminated by mold can easily spread thousands of mold spores through a house every time air is forced through the vent. This could cause health problems such as sensitization and allergic responses as well as reintroduce mold to areas of the home that may have had previous mold problems.
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Stachybotrys chartarum is a type of mold that produces the most dangerous mycotoxins.
Whether mold produces mycotoxins while growing in a building depends on what the mold is growing on and conditions such as temperature, pH, humidity, or other unknown factors. While stachybotrys is growing, a set slime layer covers its spores, preventing them from becoming airborne. However, when the mold dies and dries up, air currents or physical handling can cause spores to become airborne. When mycotoxins are present, they occur in both living and dead mold spores and may be present in materials that have become contaminated with molds.
Yes, some molds are more hazardous than others; however, any type of mold found indoors should be considered serious and removed promptly. Not all molds produce the same, but some types of molds can produce chemical compounds called mycotoxins, which are the cause of most mold-related problems.
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HYPERSENSITIVITY PNEUMONITIS
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), also called extrinsic allergy alveolitis (EAA), is a sensitization reaction to repeated inhalation of organic dusts. The organic dusts contain specific antigens, causing a variety of of reactions. Sources of such organic dusts include grains, animal dander and decaying vegetation. Over 300 sources of HP have been identified, not all of which are mold related. Each sensitization is coined with a different name such as bird fancier's lung and farmer's lung to name a couple. These are often named after the occupational exposure, but typically have the same health effects. Once inhaled, these dusts pass through the respiratory system. Those particles that reach the small airways and alveolar level are the particles of concern. When sensitized to particular dust, the lower portion of the lungs releases enzymes and leukotienes. The effects of these degrade the functionality of the lungs over time.
Acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis may have the following symptoms:
• Cough
• Fever
• Chills
• Shortness of breath
• Malaise (feeling ill)
Chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis may have the following symptoms:
• Breathlessness, especially with exertion
• Cough, often dry
• Loss of appetite
• Unintentional weight loss
BYPRODUCT REACTIONS
In our everyday environment, fungi break down a wide range of organic material to produce byproduct of carbon dioxide, water and chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are volatile because they evaporate at room temperature, thus mixing easily into the ambient air. VOCs enter the body through the respiratory system via inhalation. Some compounds are absorbed by the upper respiratory system causing irritation and inflammation through sensitization and allergic reactions. Other compounds, depending on the size and mass, are able to reach the respirable levels of the lung, down into the alveoli where they may enter the blood stream. Upon entering the blood stream, VOCs can be carried to a variety of organs or systems depending on their chemical properties. Since these chemicals are inhaled, they typically cause irritation to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory system. However, they can also affect the central nervous system (CNS) if present in large enough concentrations and they are able to enter the blood stream. Effects on the CNS include headaches and a lack of concentration. VOCs also affect the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response, by slowing down the necessary reactions.
INGESTION EXPOSURES
Ingestion of mold occurs primarily by accident. Accidental ingestion of mold can occur through hand-to-mouth activity or accidental ingestion of spoiled food. The majority of people do not attempt to eat spoiled food. If it is questionable whether the food is spoiled (moldy) or not, we inspect it using sight and smell. Food appearing to be spoiled is then thrown out. Purdue researcher Tesfaye Mengiste has identified the gene responsible for causing a fuzzy, gray mold that attacks fruits such as strawberries and tomatoes. Ingested molds can cause many of the diseases inhaled molds do if they can enter the bloodstream. The typical health effects occur in the digestive system (stomach and intestine). Molds can irritate the digestive system causing diarrhea, dehydration, nausea or stomach cramps. No specific diseases related to mold ingestion were identified.
DERMAL ABSORPTION EXPOSURES
By far the least common route of exposure to mold, absorption of mold through the skin, does occur. Humans commonly come into contact with molds in the natural environment. These molds are present on nearly every surface we come into contact with during a normal day. However, through personal hygiene, we are able to remove any mold contamination from ourselves before I t becomes a health problem. When we do not or are unable to clean our skin surface regularly, some mold-related diseases can exist.
CAUSE & EFFECT
Molds, yeasts, and mildews are included in the approximately 70,000 species of fungi that have been identified. All fungi can cause health problems, but only about 100 species are thought to cause disease in humans; these are called toxic molds.
Fungi are found everywhere, both indoors and out. Fungi break down organic matter such as cellulose, and either absorb or eat the nutrition. Volatile organic compounds are airborne and may be evidenced by odors caused by fungi, some of which cause irritation and upper respiratory tract problems. Certain cancers can also be caused where exposure occurs over extended periods of time. Anyone can be at risk for health problems from exposure to indoor mold. Different people have different tolerances, so there is no set "time table" within which health problems become apparent. The type and severity of health effects from exposure to mold are difficult to predict. Whether or not symptoms are caused by mold can be determined only by a complete medical diagnosis by a physician.
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"A new study attributes nearly 100% of chronic sinus infections to mold"
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For immediate assistance with mold remediation issues, a free estimate and an onsite inspection please call 1-888-460-7325 Today
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