|
WHAT IS MOLD?
The fungus kingdom consists of eukaryotic
organisms. Fungi are subdivided into four phyla based on their reproduction mode: ascomycetes,
basidiomycetes, zygomycetes and mitosporic fungi.
The word "mold"
is a non-scientific term that in popular parlance generally refers to members of a few dozen filamentous fungi. Such fungi
are often visible as colonies on food and building materials, appearing on close inspection as mulicellular filaments called
"hyphae". Mold growth on building material surfaces can influence air quality because both spores and mycelial fragments
are dispersed into the air and can be inhaled, dependingon their size.
Three features of mold biochemistry are
of special interest in terms of human health. First, mold cell walls contains (1->3)-B-D-glucan, a compound with inflammatory
properties. Second, spores and mycelial fragments contain allergens, few of which have been chemically charaterized. Many
of the known fungal allergens are serine proteases, or proteins, which are present in fairly
high concentrations in the spores. These have been described mainly from work done in phylloplane species and ASPERGILLUS fumigatus. Third, spores of some species contain low molecular weight chemicals that are cytotoxic or have other toxic properties
produced by STACHYBOTRYS chartarum. Some molds, such as ASPERGILLUS fumigatus, can cause opportunistic infection
in immunocompromised individuals and severe allergic diseases in people with underlying respiratory
conditions, such as asthma or cystic.
| CERTIFIED BY : |
|
| AND |
|
|
|
How can molds
affect my health?
If you have allergies or asthma, you may experience skin rash and itching, running
nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. Also, if you have an immune suppression or underlying
lung disease, you may be at increased risk for infections from molds.
Just because you live in a dry climate,
don't think you're off the hook. You may experience a reduced incidence of mold growth, but by no means is your environment
immune to infestation.
Severe effects
Some researches
believe more serious effects may result from mold exposure, including fever, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, respiratory dysfunction
(including coughing-up blood), frequent and excessive nose bleeds, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, vomiting, and liver damage.
Severe reactions may also occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers
working around moldy hay. Such symptoms may disappear when exposure to mold no longer exists. Other health problems may be
permanent
Some people reportedly have taken extreme measures to combat severe mold reactions. One California family
claimed that exposure to mold infestation caused a number of their illnesses, including respiratory problems, nose bleeds
and rashes. They burned their home to the ground, believing that it would cost less to simply rebuild than to remove the mold.
In Texas, a couple’s 11,500 square-foot home was quarantined after molds were thought to have caused stomach problems,
diarrhea, vomiting, severe respiratory scarring, and other illnesses in their son, as well as severe memory loss in the husband,
ultimately resulting in his inability to work.
Microbial volatile organic compounds
Substances known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) are another source of health problems
caused by mold exposure. These compounds are produced by fungal metabolism and are released directly into the air, often giving
off strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to mVOCs from molds can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and cause headaches,
dizziness, fatigue, nasal irritation and nausea. It's important to realize that research in this area is still in the early
stages.
Mycotoxins
When necessary, some
resourceful molds produce toxins in defense against other molds and bacteria called mycotoxins. Depending on exposure level,
these mycotoxins may cause toxic effects in people, also. Some symptoms may include fatigue, nausea, headaches, and respiratory
and eye irritation If you or your family members have health problems that you suspect are caused by exposure to mold, you
should consult with your physician.
Is there a test to determine f I have been exposed to mold?
Some physicians recommend testing for mold-specific
antibodies. The presence of antibodies only indicates that you have been exposed to a substance at some time. However, it
does not tell you when you were exposed, where the exposure took place, or how much of the mold you were exposed to. Having
a positive test for mold-specific antibodies alone is generally not sufficient to prove that any health effects were in fact
caused by exposure to mold.
Are there any medical tests available to determine
if I am allergic to mold?
There are medical tests to determine if you are allergic to a particular
substance, such as mold. These can be performed on skin or blood, although skin tests are considered more reliable, yield
results more quickly, are less expensive than blood tests and are generally considered more sensitive. Skin testing may be
recommended for individuals with year-round symptoms thought to be caused by an indoor allergy.
The RAST (radioallergosorbent)
test is a blood test that detects levels of antibodies to particular allergens. The test is expensive to perform, and results
are usually not available for about two weeks.
What type of doctor should I
see concerning mold exposure?
You should first consult a family or general health care provider who
will decide whether you need referral to a specialist. Such specialists might include an allergist who treats patients with
mold allergies or an infectious disease physician who treats mold infections. If an infection is in the lungs, a pulmonary
physician might be recommended. Patients who have been exposed to molds in their workplace may be referred to an occupational
physician.
Sources: Washington State Department of Health; California
Research Bureau, California State Library; National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention;
Illinois Department of Public Health
|
