Toxic and Health Effects of Mold - Stachybotrys

Very large doses of certain molds, whether inhaled or ingested, can result in poisoning caused by toxins, called mycotoxins, in the mold cells. It is not clear whether an individual can receive a high enough exposure to mold growing indoors to experience these toxic effects.One particular type of mold that has been recently highlighted in the media is Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra). Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that grows on materials with high cellulose content (drywall, wood, paper, ceiling tiles) that are chronically wet or moist. It is one of several molds that can produce mycotoxins under certain environmental conditions. The health effects of breathing mycotoxins are not well understood, but we do know that most molds can present some health risks, such as allergic reactions. Therefore, any mold growth in a building should be cleaned up, regardless of the type of mold.

For additional information on this issue see Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds on the National Center for Environmental Health website.

Source: http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/oii/mold/healtheffects.html

Mold: A Health Hazard - Info From FEMA

One of the worst effects of water damage comes in the form of mold. Following a hurricane or severe floods, mold may develop, causing serious health problems. The state and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working to inform the public as to the health hazards associated with mold, what can be done to minimize mold, and what ways can be effective in cleaning up mold.

If your home has water damage, mold could develop in as short of a time as 24 - 48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it may continue to grow until steps are taken to thoroughly dry out the premises and eliminate the source of moisture. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that you may recognize mold by the sight-wall and ceiling discoloration, and smell-a musty, earthy odor.

Although mold is a naturally existing substance, it can be harmful to humans. When airborne mold spores are present in large quantities, they can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections, and other respiratory problems. Continued exposure to mold may result in nasal or sinus congestion, eye, nose, or throat irritations, and adverse effects to the nervous system.
Individuals who are at the greatest risk are infants and children, the elderly, those with immune-compromised related diseases, pregnant women, and those with existing respiratory conditions. Anyone falling into these categories should consult a physician if they are experiencing health problems. Follow these five steps to dry your home and combat health problems associated with mold:

• Open up the house-if the humidity outside is lower than indoors, and if the weather permits, open all the doors and windows to exchange the moist indoor air for drier outdoor air. If you have a thermometer with a humidity gauge, you can monitor the indoor and outdoor humidity. On the other hand, when temperatures drop at night, an open home is warmer and will draw moisture indoors. At night and other times when the humidity is higher outdoors, close up the house.
• Open closet and cabinet doors-remove drawers to allow air circulation. Drawers may stick because of swelling. Don't try to force them. Speed up the drying process by opening the back of the cabinet to let the air circulate. You will probably be able to remove the drawers as the cabinet dries out.
• Use fans-fans help move the air and dry out the home. They will blow out dirty air that might contain contaminants from sediment in the duct work; clean or hose out any ducts.
• Do not use central air conditioning or the furnace blower if the ducts were under water.
• Run dehumidifiers-dehumidifiers and window air conditioners will reduce the moisture, especially in closed up areas.
• Use desiccants-desiccants (materials that absorb moisture) such as silica gel are very useful in drying closets or other enclosed areas where air cannot move through. These types of materials may be purchased at hardware stores or home and garden stores.

If mold becomes an issue in your household, here are some of the ways to clean it out:

• Most household cleaners will be good enough to cleanse walls and wood furniture.
• Be aware that wallpaper paste can harbor mold, and therefore wall coverings may have to be removed and replaced.
• After cleaning a room or item, go over it again with a disinfectant to kill the germs and odors left by the floodwaters.
• Be careful of fumes; wear rubber gloves and a dust mask. Read any safety instructions in order to properly handle cleaning materials.

Drying your home could take several weeks. While it may seem that your house is safe from mold, your health may still be at risk because of the lingering effects of mold. When water damage infiltrates a structure, the long lasting effects can be detrimental to the composition of the building. If you believe that your health has been affected by exposure to mold, you should contact your physician and have your house checked.

If you have further questions concerning mold and your health, you may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or 800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. You can also call the American Red Cross at 866-GET-INFO or the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO.

Source: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=20379

Questions That May Assist in Determining Whether a Mold Problem Currently Exists

Do you think you have mold, mildew or a moisture issue? As per OSHA, some Questions That May Assist in Determining Whether a Mold Problem Currently Exists are:

• Are building materials or furnishings visibly moisture damaged?
• Have building materials been wet more than 48 hours?
• Are there existing moisture problems in the building?
• Are building occupants reporting musty or moldy odors?
• Are building occupants reporting health problems that they think are related to mold in the indoor environment?
• Has the building been recently remodeled or has the building use changed?
• Has routine maintenance been delayed or the maintenance plan been altered?

Always consider consulting a health professional to address any employee health concerns.

Source: http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention - Mold Information

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided a website resource for many answers to what is mold, heath related exposure issues, how to decrease exposure and many other questions and answers. The website is located at http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

EPA Funded Studies Link Dampness and Mold to Significant Respiratory Problems and to High Costs of Medical Treatment

EPA Funded Studies Link Dampness and Mold to Significant Respiratory Problems and to High Costs of Medical Treatment

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory conducted a meta-analysis which suggests that building dampness and mold are associated with increases of 30%-50% in respiratory and asthma related health outcomes. EPA funded this study, and a related analysis which estimates that 21% of asthma in the US is linked to exposures to mold and dampness in homes, and that this costs the nation an estimated $3.5 billion annually in treatment costs.

Access the Articles and Read the Abstracts online

Meta-analyses of the associations of respiratory health effects with dampness and mold in homes W. J. Fisk, Q. Lei-Gomez, M. J. Mendell, Indoor Air July 2007
www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2007.00475.x

Public health and economic impact of dampness and mold D. Mudarri and W. J. Fisk Indoor Air 17:3;226-235, June 2007www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2007.00474.x

Source: http://www.epa.gov/asthma01/news.html

Hurricane - Mold Prevention, Control, Cleanup

Keeping mold under control

Mold can cause serious health problems. The key to mold control is moisture control. After a flood, remove standing water and dry indoor areas. Remove and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24-48 hours.

Safely cleaning a flood-damaged home (cdc.gov)

repair your flooded home (redcross.org)

Mold cleanup in schools and commercial buildings. information for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance.

General - Mold, moisture, and your home

Basics

Cleaning up mold

What to Wear

Mold - Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects BrochureMold Remediation in schools and Commercial Buildings Brochure

Source: http://www.epa.gov/hurricanes/what_to_do.htm#mold

Can Mold Cause Health Problems

Can mold cause health problems?

Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department.

Source: www.epa.gov/mold/moldbasics.html