The Presence of Toxic Mold
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.