Are All Molds Bad for Your Health?

The science and understanding of mold grows every day. There are over 100,000 types of mold, and each one of them could affect each person differently. One thing you have to keep in mind is that it is not the molds themselves that can cause problems, but the mycotoxins that they release can.

The EPA states the individuals could experience these symptoms from mold exposure:

“Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.

Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.”

“Mold and Health” EPA, United States Enviromental Protection Agency

https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-and-health

The CDC has a similar opinion, and also addresses the affects of exposure to Stachybotrys, “Black Mold”.

“Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath.

In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.

In 2009, the World Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould . Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies.

A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.

There is no blood test for mold. Some physicians can do allergy testing for possible allergies to mold, but no clinically proven tests can pinpoint when or where a particular mold exposure took place.”

“Basic Facts About Mold and Dampness: How do Mold Affect People?” CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

People with a weakened immune systems (ie. individuals with cancer, lyme disease, organ or stem cell transplants, or are taking medicines that suppress the immune system), are more likely to have reactions to mold and mycotoxins.

If you believe your health is being affected by mold growth we advise to have your home’s air quality tested, so you can take the results to your doctor or allergist. From there they can help you build a treatment plan, and we can help you get your home’s air quality under control.

Call us at one of our offices (Central Florida: 813-606-6668, South Florida: 239-961-9995, North Florida: 904-397-4030. Alternatively, you can fill out our convenient online contact form and one of our experts will be in touch with you shortly.