Symptoms of Toxic Mold Illness

Jun 18, 2018 by

Symptoms of Toxic Mold Illness

Human bodies can tolerate molds and mycotoxins in small quantities, but common molds are a very common allergen. Because exposure to mycotoxins is relatively rare, allergic effects are more common than toxic effects, but flooding such as is caused by hurricanes or other storms have led to some serious dangers from Mycotoxin, or what is commonly called Black Mold or Toxic Mold.

Image: Mold toxins can cause flu-like symptoms, especially in children and people with allergies.

Stachybotrys mold spores are toxic because they produce a poisonous substance called mycotoxin. When these spores are inhaled they can cause many unpleasant, and even very serious, symptoms and conditions.

The health effects of mycotoxin exposure are different from allergic reactions to mold spores. Toxic effects can include flu-like symptoms, respiratory problems, headaches, memory and cognitive problems, and skin irritation.

Another and more dangerous health threat from mold exposure is systemic fungal infection. Individuals with compromised immune systems, exposed to high levels of mold, or possibly individuals with chronic exposure paired with mycotoxic exposure may become infected. Sinuses and digestic tract infections are most common. Lung and skin infections are also possible.

Systemic fungal infection can be a serious health problem. Alcohol and mycotoxin production may result from the fungal growth, leading to a myriad of symptoms. Sudden food allergies and digestive problems can mislead diagnosis. Treatment can be long-term (many years).

Systemic infection may be of the environmental mold itself, or by other common food-related molds consumed under an weakend immune system. A weakened immune system may also result in other opportunistic infections, for example bacterial infection.

Environmental illnesses can be difficult for healthcare practitioners to diagnose. Because those who are living in houses comntaminated by the mold generally can’t smell the mildewy odor, they tend to be in denial that the problem exists.

MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF TOXIC MOLD EXPOSURE

Symptoms of black mold or toxic mold exposure may not seem life threatening at the onset. Over time more serious illnesses may develop.

People with chronic illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. Mycotoxin poisoning by the Stachybotrys fungus is called stachybotryotoxicosis.

A few of the possible symptoms of mold allergy:
Nasal Congestion
Irritation of the eyes
Inflammation of the sinuses
Irritation of the skin
Breathlessness
Headache
Runny nose
Fatigue
Cough
Sore throat
Hoarseness

MORE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS
You may develop a skin rash.
Flu like symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, fever, headaches, abdominal pain and diarrhea may occur.
Can induce serious respiratory problems.
May cause wheezing or shortness or breath.
Inflammation of the ear
Bleeding Lungs
Nose Bleeds
Memory Loss
Arthralgia ( Pain in the joints without swelling )

Below Are A Few News Items About this Problem

Asthma from Mold Exposure in Infancy. “Recent studies have confirmed what scientists have suspected for years: that asthma is an immune system reaction to dust, pollution and other allergens [e.g., airborne mold spores] in the environment, which trigger spasms and tightening of the airways of some people who also have a genetic predisposition. Now they’re zeroing in on the genetic vulnerability. The new thinking is that asthma isn’t simply a matter of having the wrong genes. Instead, at some point in early childhood, or possibly in the womb, an event takes place that turns a person into a lifetime asthmatic. Scientists think the fetus or infant is somehow exposed to a critical dose of pollutants that cause the immune system to overreact, permanently narrowing the airways and making them more sensitive to irritants. It might be possible to inoculate children against the condition before this even occurs, preventing asthma entirely.”—from “Waiting to Inhale,” NEWSWEEK, March 14, 2005.

“Fungi are also being recognized more frequently as a factor in chronic sinusitis, and the importance of fungi in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis is a subject of increasing research interest.”—“A Practical Approach to the Patient with Sinusitis” on Medscape, November, 2005.

Deadly Tsunami and Hurricane Fungal Infections. Survivors of the Asian tsunami could be at risk of the deadly fungal infection Mucormycosis, Australian researchers said on Jan. 28, 2005. Doctors at Sydney’s St George Hospital treated the Mucormycosis infection in an Australian man who was injured in the disaster. Doctors fear it could be the first case of many. This fungal disease is caused by the Mucor mold species, which is a very common mold species that readily grows in water-damaged buildings worldwide, and which is commonly found in the soil and in decaying vegetation. Mucormycosis affects the sinuses, brain, lungs, skin and kidneys. People with immune disorders are more susceptible to the infection.

Coccidioides immitis mold [the cause of widespread “Valley Fever” in the southwestern USA desert cities] is on the U.S. Dept. of Human Service list of biological agents and toxins that have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety, and that can potentially be utilized by terrorists to infect and kill Americans.

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Types of Molds and Harm They Cause

Jun 18, 2018 by

Types of Molds and Harm They Cause

There are over 100,000 mold species, some more harmful than others. Mold spores are less than 4 microns in size. They are so small that as many as 250,000 spores can fit onto the head of a pin. If mold is growing in your home, in one minute your lungs can breathe in over 700,000 of these spores!

Mold Growth

Mold infestation may be obvious, or it can be hidden in places like behind walls and underneath appliances or carpet pads. Family members often become sick from exposure to mold spores before a mold problem is even suspected.

COMMON HOUSEHOLD MOLDS

Cladosporium (Hormodendrum sp.)

This is the most commonly identified outdoor fungus. It is a common allergen. Indoor Cladosporium sp. may be different than the species identified outdoors. It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts. It can cause mycosis. A common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I), acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Penicillium

Identification to species is difficult. Often found in aerosol samples, and commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, and grains, as well as paint and compost piles. It may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals. It is reported to be allergenic to the skin. It is commonly found in carpet, wallpaper, and in interior fiberglass duct insulation. Some species can produce mycotoxins. A common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Aspergillus

A genus of fungi containing approximately 150 recognized species. Members of this genus have been recovered from a variety of habitats, some species are parasitic on insects, plants and animals, including man. Various Aspergillus species are a common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, and a variety of opportunistic infections of the ears and eyes. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema, and severe pulmonary infections may also occur. Many species produce mycotoxins which may be associated with disease in humans and other animals. Toxin production is dependent on the species or a strain within a species and on the food source for the fungus. Some of these toxins have been found to be carcinogenic in animal species, and several toxins are considered potential human carcinogens.

Alternaria

Alternaria is very widespread and common. It is often found in carpets, textiles, and on horizontal surfaces in building interiors, and is common on window frames. The species Alternaria alternata is capable of producing tenuazonic acid and other toxic metabolites which may be associated with disease in humans or animals. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumoniti, sinusitis, deratomycosis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, and invasive infection. Common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, and chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Mucor

Often found in soil, dead plant material, horse dung, fruits, and fruit juice; it is also found in leather, meat, dairy products, animal hair, and jute. May be allergenic. May cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. The sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

TOXIC MOLDS

There are two types of black mold that are normally less common but are considered very serious health hazards. Molds that are capable of generating toxins (called “toxigenic mold”) do not always produce them in every situation. Scientists believe that certain very specific conditions must be present for a toxigenic mold to actually produce toxins, such as the right combination of temperature, moisture, type of material the mold is growing on and, perhaps, competition from other microorganisms.

Stachybotrys

Stachybotrys chartarum is a fungus that has become well known as a mycotoxin producer that can cause animal and human mycotoxicosis. Evidence has accumulated showing this fungus as a serious problem in homes and buildings and one of the causes of the “sick building syndrome.”

This is one of many types of black mold that may grow on water-damaged building materials. This mold requires a lot of water or moisture to grow, and it only grows on materials with high fiber and low nitrogen content, such as wallpaper and the paper covering of wallboard (sheetrock), wood , or jute such as is frequently used for the backing of older carpets. Areas with relative humidity above 55% and are subject to temperature fluctuations are ideal for toxin production. This mold does not grow on shower tile or plastic. In the outdoor environment it is found in soil, rotting hay and leaf debris.

This mold, among others, may produce mycotoxins – chemicals that discourage growth of other microorganisms and that may also cause health problems in people. In recent years toxic molds have been front page stories in newspapers and on television shows all over the world. The fungus has led to multi-million dollar litigations and caused serious problems for schools, homeowners and building managers who have had to deal with the consequences of this problem.

Individuals with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by this fungus reported cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, and generalized malaise. The toxins produced by this fungus will suppress the immune system affecting the lymphoid tissue and the bone marrow. Animals injected with the toxin from this fungus exhibited the following symptoms: necrosis and hemorrhage within the brain, thymus, spleen, intestine, lung, heart, lymph node, liver, and kidney. The mycotoxin is also reported to be a liver and kidney carcinogen. Illnesses caused by absorption of the toxin in the human lung are known as pneumomycosis.

Memnoniella

Memnoniella echinata is particularly toxic and irritating. It’s considered a member of the Stachybotrys family but unlike Stachybotrys chartarum, a sticky spore that tends to stay in its place, M. echinata is easily airborne and is often found in the air when it’s growing in the building. It’s actually more of a problem than its famous brother, Stachybotrys.

Toxic mold such as Stachybotrys and Memnoniella need water-soaked wood, paper, and cotton products to grow.

These mold types may appear slimy when wet – with white edges. When dry they are powdery, and hence can easily become airborne. The presence of black mold does not necessarily mean Stachybotrys mold is present, but some experts believe that from thirty to fifty percent of all homes and buildings may have some level of Stachybotrys infestation, even without flooding and other catastrophic problems. They are Serious problems in areas where homes have been flooded, and particularly in the warm southern states after the hurricanes and other summer storms.

Dr. Eckardt Johanning, an environmental health specialist at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center, has found that black mold toxins can cause mood changes, memory loss, and immune dysfunction, besides sore throats, headaches, upper and lower respiratory ailments, dermatitis, eye irritation and general tiredness. In 1999, the Kansas City Star quoted Susan Flappan saying, “I think it’s a missing link to a lot of questions we’ve had. We’ve had patients go from doctor to doctor without any explanation of what is wrong. Once they get rid of the Stachybotrys problem, their life gets better.”

Though scientists don’t understand all the effects of black mold, Sidney Efross of the EPA in San Francisco says, “There’s probably nothing we can call a safe level” of Stachybotrys.

You cannot determine the mold genera and species just by looking at it on the wall or even with a do-it-yourself mold test kit. For small mold problems, use bleach, soap and water instead. For larger problems hire an expert to survey your home, or send your own mold sample to a competent testing laboratory. The services of an experienced mycologist or aerobiologist are necessary to know what you’ve got.

If you suspect that you may be dealing with a toxic mold you should vacate the premises and have a professionals remove the mold before anyone comes back into the house. You can get quite ill yourself if you inhale a large quantity of the fungal dust or get it on your skin.

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