Mold: Frequently Asked Questions

The information found in the following Frequently Asked Questions was developed through a joint effort between the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association whose contributions are kindly acknowledged.

Health

How can mold affect me?

Health effects associated with airborne mold exposure are allergic reactions, eye and respiratory irritation, infection and toxicity. About 10% of the population is allergic to one or more types of mold. Many of these people will be affected by outdoor as well as indoor exposures to mold.

Respiratory mold infection (growth in the lungs) can occur, but is rare. Occurrence is limited almost exclusively to immune-compromised patients, including those with transplants, chemotherapy, AIDS, neonates, etc. Toxicity is related to the ability of some molds to produce mycotoxins.  Anyone suspecting they are ill from environmental indoor mold exposure should seek treatment and advice from a medical doctor. It should also be noted that other factors can influence indoor air quality such as other organisms, chemicals such as solvents and pesticides, or gases such as carbon monoxide.

When is mold considered toxic?

 Molds may produce substances called mycotoxins that modify their environment. Some of these substances are useful as antibiotics; but others are potentially harmful, especially if eaten. However, there is some evidence that breathing mycotoxins in mold-contaminated buildings represents a health hazard.  One mold, Stachybotrys, is frequently singled out. Initially thought related to cases of a lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis among infants, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has stated, "In a further review of our first investigation, CDC reviewers and an external panel of experts determined that there was insufficient evidence of any association between exposure to S. atra or other toxic fungi and idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in infants." Current guidance of federal and professional organizations is that mold growth should be controlled in an appropriate manner, regardless of the type of mold

Can mold affect people with allergies and asthma?

A person with asthma who is sensitive to molds could have an asthma attack triggered by either indoor or outdoor exposures. People with mold allergies have frequently been overprescribed antibiotics at some point. With respect to allergy, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) states, "While indoor molds are well-recognized allergens, outdoor molds are more generally important

For people with asthma, controlling allergies is paramount!  A common health strategy is to avoid exposure by minimizing the amount of dust in the home. Humidity control is also very important. ACOEM supports indoor moisture control and the broad array of indoor respiratory challenges it affects. Moisture control is also strongly supported by the National Academy of Sciences as outlined in its report, Damp Indoor Spaces and Health.

For those with depressed immune systems, it is important to minimize exposure to dust & mold both at work and at home.  Care should be taken to minimize dust using wet cleaning methods and HEPA vacuuming. In particular, exposure to soil and plant materials such as compost should be avoided as they can have large numbers of mold.  Raking leaves should also be avoided.

If your seasonal allergies are acting up, NOW is a great time to schedule an appointment to get them under control with supplements and/or acupuncture, before your respiratory tract becomes more chronically inflamed.

Call us at 847-577-4455 to schedule an appointment TODAY!  We also have a variety of homeopathics appropriate to desensitize people to environmental mold counts that cannot be avoided.

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Best of Health!

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