host posted on August 20, 2008 13:39
Concerns about the presence of indoor mold have grown in recent years. About 5 to 10% of U.S. homes have problems with excessive mold growth. Home mold growth usually follows water damage caused by heavy rains, leaking pipes, sewage infiltration, and moisture condensation. Stale food can also produce heavy mold growth. Heavy mold growth can often occur in hidden areas of the house such as drywall, crawlspaces, air ducts, and carpet bases. Especially common indoor molds include species from the Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Mucor, and Rhizopus genera. Stachybotrys is a black mold, which grows under wet conditions and eats cellulose-containing materials like wood, paper, and drywall.
Indoor mold exposure can cause a wide variety of health problems. Many studies have documented that the allergens produced by indoor molds can significantly worsen asthma and nasal congestion. Allergens from Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are common allergic triggers. Indoor mold produces a wide range of toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. Molds such as Stachybotrys, Fusarium, and some Aspergillus species are especially heavy producers of mycotoxins. Such mycotoxins can remain toxic for years after the mold that produced them has died. Heavy indoor mold infestations can produce significant levels of airborne or dust-borne mycotoxins which can cause a wide range of health problems such as poor concentration and attention, nausea, headaches, tremors, skin rashes, and chronic fatigue. Exposure to Stachybotrys has been linked to significantly higher risk of lung hemorrhage in infants. Common indoor molds such as Candida and Aspergillus can produce life threatening infections in persons with impaired immune systems such as bone and organ transplant patients, AIDS patients and patients with certain types of cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma. There is also growing awareness that extended exposure to molds, even in those with strong immune systems, can contribute to health problems.
Homeowners should be especially suspicious of mold problems in their homes if there have been any water damage in their house, any musty odors, of if anyone has recently developed new onset respiratory problems such as asthma, or has recently developed neurological problems like headaches, poor concentration/attention or tremors. Households with infants younger than 1 year old, persons with chronic lung diseases, (such as Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma or Emphysema), or persons with impaired immune systems, (such as HIV, bone or organ transplants or cancer), should be especially alert for possible mold problems.
Generally, the best way to control mold growth in the house is to control water, as the limiting factor for mold growth is water, (not food). Molds can grow on such diverse food sources as wood, drywall, carpets, paper, sewage and crude oil. If the source of mold is not obvious, a study by an industrial hygienist or experienced mold sampler may be able to find and correct the mold source. Trained dogs have also been successfully employed to find hidden mold sources in homes. Non-porous materials like ceilings, walls, and countertops, which are infested by molds, can often be cleaned by using detergents or diluted bleach solutions. Heavily mold infested porous materials such as carpets, drywall and furniture may have to be thrown out and replaced. Homes with heavy mold infestation may require the use of facemasks and other protective clothing during cleanup operations. Heavily mold infested buildings may also require professional clean up. Professional cleaning services are also available for cleaning up high value mold infested items such as paintings, antiques, rare books, and important documents.
Luke Curtis MD, MS, CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist)
Norwegian American Hospital (Chicago, IL USA)
LukeTCurtis@aol.com