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The Human Health Effects of Mold Exposures

Molds have the potential to cause harmful side effects to humans. Before they can cause such side effects, they must first enter the human body and then be distributed to the appropriate site within the body.
Once the molds reach their intended site, they go through the basic metabolic process. It should be noted that the metabolic processes that each mold experiences is typically the same.
Molds colonize on an organic food source, consuming it. Within the human body, the byproduct of such process, typically a poison to humans is called mycotoxin.
Mycotoxins or the reason for the adverse health effects in humans. These health effects include inflammations, allergies, and/or infections. Mold spores enter the body through inhalation and indigestion. They can also be absorbed into the body through the skin. Once they enter the body, they can become harmful depending on the sensitivity of the individual, toxicity of mold, and susceptibility of the exposed individual.
It has been found that mold spores that are inhaled have greater toxicity to humans than those that are touched by the skin or ingested. Molds can be an antigen to the body.

How molds attack

Molds tend to attack different systems of the human body depending on their form and how they enter the body, whether through ingestion, inhalation or absorption.

Mold spores are probably most well known for their ability to cause sensitization and allergic responses. We are also exposed to their airborne byproducts. Either way, airborne exposure to mold remains the biggest concern when looking at molds and their effects on human health.
A HVAC vent contaminated by mold can easily spread thousands of mold spores through the building every time air is forced through the vent. This could cause health problems such as sensitization and the allergic responses as well as reintroduce mold to areas of the building that may have had previous mold problems.

There are several diseases that all are correlated with the sensitization of the human body to a wide range of species of molds that are inhaled. First, it is important to understand the basic pathology of sensitization and allergic reactions.
Acceptance, when exposed to high enough concentrations of specific molds, the body sees the intruding mold as a harmful foreign body and begins to attack it through the production of antibodies. These antibodies attack the intruding body, called an antigen. The reactions of the antibodies attacking the antigens are considered allergic reactions. Once the body becomes sensitized to what it is exposed to, antibodies are formed. These antibodies are programmed into the body's immune system to attack any repeat intruders; therefore, each time an individual is exposed to a contaminant he or she is sensitized to, an allergic reaction can be expected. This is the same case with mold exposures when the molds are inhaled.
When molds are inhaled, they are filtered out at various stages of the respiratory system. The point, at which the molds begin to accumulate, or colonize, is considered the site of toxicity. The sites of toxicity are the exact locations that experience the physiologic side affects of the mycotoxins produced by the invading molds.
Some molds cause sensitization in the upper respiratory system. Others pass through the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream, potentially sensitizing internal organs. The following (below) are brief discussions on diseases caused by inhalation of molds.

Sinusitis is caused from sensitization from inhaling mold spores into the para nasal sinuses. There are four different pairs of sinuses that can be affected. These include the frontal (over the eyes), maxillary (inside the cheekbones), ethmoid (at the bridge of the nose between the eyes) and the sphenoid (behind the ethmoid).

Each of these four causes a different sensitization. However, each of these sinuses branches into the nasal passage for exchange of air and mucous. During this exchange mold spores can be taken into one of the four different regions of the sinus.

Upon spores entering one of the sinuses, an allergic reaction takes place causing inflammation and closing of the sinuses to the nasal. Once this happens, pressure builds up within the sinus, causing a painful sensation to the individual.
These infections can last from a couple of days to longer than a month. A specific type of sinusitis is allergic mycotic sinusitis, where colonies of mold adhere to the sinus walls, causing inflammation.

Affects on the Brain (Mold Neurotoxicity), while this is a somewhat recent "discovery" in regards to adverse health effects of elevated mold exposures; it is controversial largely due to the sums of money that it involves from legal, insurance, government and commercial industries; .

The sad part is that on one hand you have personal injury attorneys attempting to gain larger settlements from mold cases. On the other hand business, government and industry leveraging suppression on the possibilities of Mold Neurotoxicity. I can tell you from personal experiences in the mold profession, that exposures to elevated mold levels do affect the brain. I have visited many clients in their homes that have been exposed to elevated mold levels for quite some time and they are lethargic and generally not processing normally. I personally have experienced temporary effects myself days after exposures.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), also called extrinsic allergy alveolitis (EAA), is a sensitization reaction to repeated inhalation of organic dust.
The organic dust containing specific antigens, causing a variety of reactions. Sources of such organic dust include grains, animal dander, and decaying vegetation.
Over 300 sources of HP have been identified, not all of which are mold related. HP sensitization is coined with a different name such as a bird fanciers lung and farmer’s lung to name a couple. These are often named after the occupational exposure, but typically have the same health effects.
Once inhaled, these dusts pass through the respiratory system. Those particles that reached the small airways and alveolar level are the particles of concern. When sensitized to a particular dust, the lower portion of the lungs releases enzymes and leukotrienes. The effects of these degrade the functionality of the lungs over time.

Health problems associated with mold

Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis develops after sensitization of individuals to airborne contaminants. Once a person is sensitized, antibodies are formed to fight specific allergens.
The antibodies also attached to mast cells located in the nose and eyes, which then release histamines. These histamines cause itching of the eyes, sneezing, congestion, and dripping of the nasal. Those sensitive to certain airborne mold species, individuals can react within a short amount of time. One in five Americans is believed to have it allergic rhinitis. Persistent allergic rhinitis may develop into sinusitis.

Inhaled mold spores may sometimes establish colonies within the bronchial passageways. Once they colonize, mycotoxins are produced, and bronchopulmonary mycosis is diagnosed. If left untreated, this condition may develop into fibrosis of the lung.

Asthma is an inflammation or constriction of the lung airways. Reactions can take place that increase the severity of such inflammation and constriction.
One such reaction is through allergic sensitization. In such cases, an individual inhales a mold toward which he or she has developed sensitivity. Upon entering the airways, the mold triggers and asthmatic response where the airways become inflamed.

In our everyday environment, fungi break down a wide range of organic material to produce byproducts of carbon dioxide, water, and chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOC's). These chemicals are volatile because they evaporate at room temperature, thus mixing easily into the ambient air. VOCs enter the body through the respiratory system via inhalation. Some compounds are absorbed by the upper respiratory system, causing irritation and inflammation through sensitization and allergic reactions.
Other components, depending on the size and mass, are able to reach the respirable levels of the lung, down into the alveoli where they may enter the bloodstream. Upon entering the bloodstream, VOCs can be carried to a variety of organs or systems depending on their chemical properties. Since these chemicals are inhaled, they typically cause irritation to the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory system.
However, they can also affect the central nervous system (CNS) if present in large enough concentrations and they will be able to enter the bloodstream.
Effects on the CNS include headaches and a lack of concentration. VOCs also affect the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for the bodies "fight or flight" response, by slowing down the necessary reactions.

Ingestion of mold occurs primarily in by accident. Accidental ingestion of mold can occur through hand to mouth activity or accidental ingestion of spoiled food. The majority of people do not attempt to eat spoiled food. If it is questionable whether the food is spoiled (moldy) or not, we inspect it using sight and smell. Food appearing to be spoiled is then thrown out.
Purdue researcher Tesfaye Meengiste has identified the gene responsible for causing a fuzzy, gray mold that affects fruits, such as strawberries and tomatoes.
Ingested molds can cause many of the diseases inhaled molds do if they can enter the bloodstream. The typical health effects occur in the digestive system (stomach and intestine).

By far the least common route of exposure to mold, is distortion of mold through the skin. Humans commonly come into contact with molds in their natural environment. These molds all are present on nearly every surface we come into contact with during a normal day.
However, through personal hygiene we are able to remove any mold contamination from ourselves before it becomes a health problem. When we do not or are unable to clean our skin surface regularly some mold related diseases can exist.

Molds, yeast, and mildews are included in the approximately 70,000 species of fungi that have been identified. All fungi can cause health problems, but only about a hundred species are thought to cause disease in humans; these are called toxic molds.
Fungi are found everywhere, both indoors and out. Fungi breakdown organic matter such as cellulose and either absorb or eat the nutrition. Volatile organic compounds (VOC's) are airborne and may be evidenced by odors caused by fungi, some of which cause irritation and upper respiratory tract problems. Certain cancers can also occur because exposure occurs over extended periods of time.

Anyone can be at risk for health problems from exposure to indoor mold. Different people have different tolerances, so there is no set "timetable" within which health problems become apparent.
The type of severity of health effects from exposure to mold are difficult to predict. Whether or not symptoms are caused by mold can be determined only by a complete medical diagnosis by a competent physician.

Treatment and Prevention

Mold sometimes can be cleaned off surfaces with water mixed with chlorine bleach, diluted 10 parts water to one part bleach. This treatment should be promptly made following flooding or discovery of moisture accumulation. This is not a substitute for professional mold remediation and should only be used in emergency, short term situations.
Molds that can create health problems are not always visible. However, large infestations can usually be either seen or smelled. A dark, powdery substance visible on a wall or other surface is one example of visible mold.
Any situation that is conducive to mold growth should be promptly corrected. An inspection & testing for mold and is causes is performed by House To Home Inspections for a fee. Please call 513-255-0298 for our rates and availability.

The following are some methods that can be utilized to minimize or prevent mold growth:

Ohio Mold Testing & Inspection Services

The Human Health Effects of Mold Exposures

How molds attack

Health problems associated with mold

Treatment and Prevention