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Health Effects
What symptoms are commonly seen with mold
exposure?
Molds produce health effects through inflammation, allergy, or infection.
Allergic reactions (often referred to as hay fever) are most common following
mold exposure. Typical symptoms that mold-exposed persons report (alone
or in combination) include:
• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, and
shortness of breath
Nasal and sinus congestion
• Eye irritation (burning, watery, reddened eyes)
• Dry, hacking cough
• Nose or throat irritation
• Skin rashes or irritation
Headaches, memory problems, mood swings, nosebleeds, body aches and
pains, and fevers are occasionally reported in mold cases, but their cause is
not understood.
How much mold can make me sick?
It depends. For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can
trigger an asthma attack or lead to other help problems. For other persons,
symptoms may occur only when exposure levels are much higher.
Nonetheless, indoor mold growth is unsanitary and undesirable. Basically, if
you can see or smell mold inside your home, take steps to identify and
eliminate the excess moisture and to cleanup and remove the mold.
Are some molds more hazardous than others?
Allergic persons vary in their sensitivities to mold, both as to the amount and
the types to which they react. In addition to their allergic properties, certain
types of molds, such as Stachybortis cartarum, may produce compounds
that have toxic properties, which are called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are
not always produced, and whether a mold produces mycotoxins while
growing in a building depends on what the mold is growing on, conditions
such as temperature, pH, humidity or other unknown factors. 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. While Stachbotrys is growing, a wet slime layer covers its spores,
preventing them from becoming airborne. However, when the mold dies and
dries up, air currents or physicalhandling can cause spores to become
airborne.
Who is at greater risk when exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone inside buildings. Therefore, it is
always best to identify and correct high moisture conditions quickly before
mold grows and health problems develop.
Some people may have more severe symptoms or become ill more rapidly
than others:
• Individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies,
chemical sensitivities, or asthma
• Persons with weakened immune systems (such as people with HIV
infection, cancer chemotherapy patients, and so forth)
• Infants and young children
• The elderly
Anyone who believes they are having symptoms due to mold should consult
a medical professional immediately
HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE MOLD IN MY HOUSE?
You may suspect you have mold if you see discolored patches or cottony or
speckled growth on walls or furniture or if you smell an earthy or musty odor.
You also may suspect mold contamination if mold allergic individuals
experience some of the symptoms listed above in the house. Evidence of
past or ongoing “water damage” (make link) should also trigger more
thorough inspection. You may find mold growth underneath water damaged
surfaces or behind walls, floors, or ceilings.
What symptoms are commonly seen with mold
exposure?
Molds produce health effects through inflammation, allergy, or infection.
Allergic reactions (often referred to as hay fever) are most common following
mold exposure. Typical symptoms that mold-exposed persons report (alone
or in combination) include:
• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, and
shortness of breath
Nasal and sinus congestion
• Eye irritation (burning, watery, reddened eyes)
• Dry, hacking cough
• Nose or throat irritation
• Skin rashes or irritation
Headaches, memory problems, mood swings, nosebleeds, body aches and
pains, and fevers are occasionally reported in mold cases, but their cause is
not understood.
How much mold can make me sick?
It depends. For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can
trigger an asthma attack or lead to other help problems. For other persons,
symptoms may occur only when exposure levels are much higher.
Nonetheless, indoor mold growth is unsanitary and undesirable. Basically, if
you can see or smell mold inside your home, take steps to identify and
eliminate the excess moisture and to cleanup and remove the mold.
Are some molds more hazardous than others?
Allergic persons vary in their sensitivities to mold, both as to the amount and
the types to which they react. In addition to their allergic properties, certain
types of molds, such as Stachybortis cartarum, may produce compounds
that have toxic properties, which are called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are
not always produced, and whether a mold produces mycotoxins while
growing in a building depends on what the mold is growing on, conditions
such as temperature, pH, humidity or other unknown factors. 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. While Stachbotrys is growing, a wet slime layer covers its spores,
preventing them from becoming airborne. However, when the mold dies and
dries up, air currents or physicalhandling can cause spores to become
airborne.
Who is at greater risk when exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone inside buildings. Therefore, it is
always best to identify and correct high moisture conditions quickly before
mold grows and health problems develop.
Some people may have more severe symptoms or become ill more rapidly
than others:
• Individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies,
chemical sensitivities, or asthma
• Persons with weakened immune systems (such as people with HIV
infection, cancer chemotherapy patients, and so forth)
• Infants and young children
• The elderly
Anyone who believes they are having symptoms due to mold should consult
a medical professional immediately
HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE MOLD IN MY HOUSE?
You may suspect you have mold if you see discolored patches or cottony or
speckled growth on walls or furniture or if you smell an earthy or musty odor.
You also may suspect mold contamination if mold allergic individuals
experience some of the symptoms listed above in the house. Evidence of
past or ongoing “water damage” (make link) should also trigger more
thorough inspection. You may find mold growth underneath water damaged
surfaces or behind walls, floors, or ceilings.
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Mold Remediation
