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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.
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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
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