Archive for February, 2010

The Presence of Toxic Mold

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Toxic Mold can cause a serious health ailment. A microbiologist can only determine differences between just mold and toxic mold. Common symptoms of toxic mold exposure include memory loss, allergies, and breathing difficulties. People with existing respiratory illness, asthma, and infants should be especially careful because of the fever and mold infections that can be suffered within their lungs due to toxic mold exposure. There are some toxic molds that are so dangerous that once inside human tissue could grow in masses in your lungs or kidneys and other that can grow along walls of arteries, veins, and heart valves. Toxic mold can be difficult to treat in some instances. Allergies are probably the most common reaction to contact with molds. Atopic individuals (those who experience allergic reactions that is often hereditary) who are exposed to mold, mold spores, or mold byproducts may manifest allergic reactions once they become vulnerable (sensitized) to the particular mold. The reactions can run the spectrum, from very mild and temporary reactions to acute, chronic illness. Of course, molds are simply one of the causes of indoor allergens. Other common causes include dust mites, cockroaches, effluvia from domestic pets and other microorganisms (molds are included in this category). Molds also produce secondary metabolites such as antibiotics and mycotoxins (a poisonous substance produced by a fungus). Toxic conditions exist when a human has exposure to these mycotoxins—either through ingesting mycotoxin-containing mold spores or with skin contact to mold itself. Mycotoxins are nearly all cytotoxic (substances produced by microorganisms that are toxic to individual cells), which disrupt various cellular structures such as membranes, and interrupt important processes, including protein, RNA and DNA synthesis.Numerous mold types produce mycotoxins, including some found indoors in contaminated homes and office buildings. Recently, researchers have become more concerned with multiple mycotoxins that derive from many types of mold spores growing in moist indoor environments. The following provides possible poor health effects from mycotoxin exposure to multiple molds indoors: Problems with vascular system, digestive system, respiratory system, nervous system, cutaneous system, reproductive system, and many mycotoxins can produce changes or a weakening of the immune system.

About Toxic Mold

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Mold is a microscopic organism or fungi that grows in damp environments. There are about 200,000 harmless types of mold; they pose no threat to our health. It can be found in soil, in the air, and wherever there is moisture, oxygen, and some organic matter. There are four environmental factors that must exist in order for mold to thrive. If you remove any of these items, mold would not be able to survive. Mold Spores that are circulating in the environment (Use a good filtration system on your HVAC),food (organic matter), temperature - mold likes to live in the same temperatures that people like, so our homes will usually provide a very cozy place for mold, Moisture - mold likes it wet. A humidity level of about 70% is required for most molds to grow. A handful of mold types are dangerous and they present a serious health threat if they take hold and multiply in your home. This type of mold is referred to as toxic mold or toxic black mold, and when it multiplies, it sends dangerous spores called mycotoxins into your living environment. These mycotoxins interfere with cell and DNA function, resulting in serious health problems. A few of the most dangerous molds are named: stachybotrys mold or black mold, penicillium, and aspergillus; and they have been associated with respiratory illness, skin rashes, memory problems, and brain damage. Diseases are also associated with toxic mold exposure: kidney cancer, esophagus cancer, leukemia, and liver cancer. When you combine building materials like sheetrock with moisture from a plumbing leak, you have a fertile breeding ground for mold. Even without household leaks, contemporary building practices that utilize air-tight construction and energy conservation techniques create a more fertile ground for mold to multiply, since houses such as this do not allow air to readily flow in and out. To make matters worse, modern central heating and air conditioning systems circulate mold spores very efficiently, greatly facilitating their ability to reproduce. Repair water problems quickly, measure the humidity in your home, check for water stains, clean up any mold you find, and find a good mold test from a Certified Mold Inspector.