Mold Allergies

Molds

The dark brown spores a common outdoor mold. Found on rotten wood, decaying vegetables (compost), birds nests and soil. It appears as a velvety tuft with long soft hairs and its color ranges from dark olive green to brown. Seen as black spots on tomatoes and potatoes. Spores of Alternaria species are dry and commonly dispersed by air currents and are usually a major component of outdoor air.

Also, a common indoor allergen. Causes mildew on textiles (cotton and wool) and butter. Often found growing on carpets, textiles and horizontal surfaces such as window frames in water-damaged buildings.

 

Aspergillus

Aspergillus: A hardy, common group of indoor molds -  found world-wide, especially in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere.  Peaks during hot, humid, rainy weather and in harvest season.  It is widespread in the soil and on plants – such as damp grains and hay.  It is also considered a common contaminant of food… particularly in canned commercial and home canned foods.  Occurs on spoiled foods, such as bacon, chicken, sausage as well as dried fruits as a bluish color and on onions as a black mold.  Seen in damp buildings as well as humidifiers and dehumidifiers.  Thought to contribute to sick-building syndrome.  It grows on cloth and leather products.  It has a musty odor.

Aspergillus is the most common genus of fungi in our environment with more than 160 different species of mold. Sixteen of these species have been documented as causing human disease. Aspergillosis is now the 2nd most common fungal infection requiring hospitalization in the United States

The fungus causes allergic diseases in asthmatics and patients suffering from cystic fibrosis.  It takes advantage of people with weak immune systems by growing in their lungs.  It can infect the skin.  Many species produce mycotoxins which are suspected to be human carcinogens.

Aspergillus fumigatus: The most encountered species causing infection. It is seen abundantly in compost piles. People who handle contaminated material often develop hypersensitivity to the spores of Aspergillus and may suffer severe allergic reactions upon exposure.

Aspergillus flavus: The 2nd most encountered fungi in cases of Aspergillus infection. It is also known to produce the mycotoxin aflatoxin, one of the most potent carcinogens known to man. Most countries have established levels for aflatoxin in food.

Aspergillus niger: The 3rd most common Aspergillus fungi associated with disease and the most common of any Aspergillus species in nature due to it’s ability to grow on a wide variety of substrates. This species may cause a “fungal ball”, which is a condition where the fungus actively proliferates in the human lung, forming a ball. It does so without invading the lung tissue.
 
Candida

Chaetomium

Commonly found on deteriorating wood products, chaetomium species frequently emits a musty odor and is frequently found on plant compost and cellulose products, such as paper, straw, cloth and cotton.  It thrives in water-damaged homes, especially drywall, wallpaper, baseboards, carpets and window frames and other lower cost construction products often used in the United States.

This fungus is reported to be an allergen and a toxin.  It is a known agent of skin and nail infections in humans and is more rarely a cause of cerebral and systemic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Although chaetomium  spores are allergens, the spores are not easily aerosolized and hence exposure to airborne spores may be rather limited.  Unlike most other mold pathogens, there is medical evidence to suggest that the chaetomium mycotoxins may predispose people to permanent neurological damage of the myelin sheath. Also, autoimmune diseases have been linked to exposure of this mold… such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.  This mold has also been linked to certain forms of cancer by causing permanent DNA damage.  Some authorities argue that this common house mold may rank in human health risk only behind aspergillus and Stachybotrys.
 

Fusarium is a filamentous fungus widely distributed on grasses and the roots of fruits and vegetables –strawberries, bananas, watermelon and tomatoes - and commonly in the soil. Often airborne. Seen as slime in river beds. Also found in rice, bean, soybean. While most species are more common at tropical and subtropical areas, some inhabit soil in cold climates. Peaks in summer and fall.

As well as being a common contaminant and a well-known plant pathogen (wilt disease), Fusarium species may cause various infections in humans.

 

Penicillium: These fungi are commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, grains, paint, carpet, wallpaper, interior fiberglass duct insulation, and decaying vegetation. Penicillium may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, and allergic lung reactions in susceptible individuals.

This fungi has been isolated from patients with eye, ear, lung, heart and urinary infections. Penicillium infections are most commonly exhibited in immunosuppressed individuals.

This fungus has some species that produce mycotoxins. The mycotoxin, known as Ochratoxin A, injures the kidney and may promote cancer. Another mycotoxin Verrucosidin may injure the nervous system.  And  Penicillic acid is another mycotoxin that may cause kidney and liver damage.
 

Water infiltration with mold growth (Stachybotrys, the most deadly indoor mold species)

This slow-growing, black, slimy fungus shares many of the  characteristics of the chaetomium species, but may pose a greater health risk.  It colonizes cellulose (wood and paper) materials, such as sheet rock, ceiling tiles, insulation and wallpaper that have been wet for several days or more. The mold does not grow on concrete, linoleum or tile.

Chronic exposure to this mold may cause an allergic reaction that is similar to a cold.  Symptoms include a sore throat, a chronic cough, headaches, fever, rash, fatigue, sneezing, itching and burning sensations of the eyes and nose.  Stachybotrys is suspected to be a primary cause of sick building syndrome. Nonetheless, this mold is rarely found outdoors and is not usually a problem indoors unless the colony is physically disturbed.

There are many molds that produce toxic substances, but generally not a serious problem for humans. However, in the case of this particular mold, where it can become concentrated, it produces toxins that can be inhaled and ingested and suspected to cause serious illness in immunocompromised patients as well as inducing cancer.
 

What should I do about mold?

Any mold can cause a health effect under the right conditions. While some reports exaggerate the severity of possible health effects, it is important to handle all molds with caution. Testing for molds is very difficult and expensive, and it cannot determine whether health effects will occur. Due to these uncertainties, it is not recommended to test for molds in most cases. If you can see or smell mold, testing is not necessary; it needs to be cleaned up. Answers to many common questions are available on : www.doctorfungus.org/mycoses/environ/homeowner_faq.htm

How can I clean moldy surfaces?

It is important to make sure that the source of moisture is stopped before the mold is cleaned up. If this is not done, the mold will grow again. How you clean up areas contaminated with mold depends on the surface where the mold is growing. A professional should be consulted if large areas (more than 30 square feet) are contaminated with mold. If the surface is non-porous (varnished wood, tile, etc.), you can take the following steps.

1. The surfaces first need to be cleaned with soap. • Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent in hot water and scrub the entire area affected by the mold. Never mix bleach with ammonia; the fumes are toxic.

• Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on block walls or uneven surfaces.
• Rinse clean with water.

 2. The next step is to disinfect the surfaces to help prevent mold from coming back.

• Disinfect the area with a solution of household bleach (½ cup of bleach per gallon of water). Straight bleach will not be more effective. When mixing or using the solution, make sure the windows are open.
• For spraying large exterior areas, a garden hose and nozzle can be used.
• Let disinfecting areas dry naturally. This extended time is important to kill all the mold.

How can I reduce my exposure to the mold while cleaning it up?

• Anyone with a chronic illness, such as asthma or emphysema, should not do the cleanup.
• Use a HEPA filter respirator purchased from a hardware store to reduce the mold spores you breathe in.
• Wear protective clothing that is easily cleaned or discarded.
• Wear rubber gloves.
• Do not allow family members or bystanders to be present when you are doing the cleanup.
• Work over short time spans and take breaks in a fresh air location.
• Open the windows in your house during and after the cleanup.
• Shut off heat or air conditioning to prevent mold spores from being spread around the home.
• Tightly cover the air return vent if there is one in the affected area.
• Turn on an exhaust fan or place a fan in a window to blow air out of the affected room to the outside (make sure the air is being blown outside the home, not into another room).
• Double bag materials before you remove them from the contaminated area.

Source of cleaning information:

Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Environmental Health
525 W. Jefferson St.
Springfield, IL 62761
217-782-5830 TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466

more information about molds:
inspect-ny.com/sickhouse/mold.htm
mold-help.org
sick building syndrome: www.doctorfungus.org/mycoses/environ/sick_building.htm

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