Indoor Mold

Fungal growth is often not visible to the naked eye. Indicators of mold may include a musty smell, and areas showing signs of water infiltration. Moldy odours are not only unpleasant, but they are known to attract insects that help disperse mold spores.

Exposure to mycotoxins may induce:

1. Asthma
2. Rhinitis (ie. Allergic reaction in upper respiratory tract: running nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip)
3. Sinusitis
4. Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (fever, shivering pains in muscles and joints)
5. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

 (cough, dyspnea, fever, restrictive ventilatory defect, etc)

Reasonable medical and biological certainty that mycotoxins can be:

1. Carcinogens
2. Immune suppressants
3. Neurotoxic agents

Mold growth is often accompanied by bacterial growth. The presence of indoor mold has been linked to discomfort and many health problems including “allergic reactions, asthma symptoms, irritant effects, respiratory problems, headaches, lack of concentration” and a host of other non-specific health issues.

A great deal of homes that we have visited have typical construction defects, and/or inadequate water-management systems, resulting in a damp indoor environment. A common and often misdiagnosed illness known as Sick Building Syndrome can be caused by excessive dampness within a building. According to Dr. Schaller, the most common cause of learning and behavioural problems in the children and adolescents that he has treated has been indoor mold contamination.

The Institute of Medicine affirms what we have been telling clients for years: in order to prevent mold and associated creatures (such as sow bugs) in a building, you must keep materials dry, or use building materials that “offer a poor substrate for growth” in places where wetting is unavoidable.

 

 

 

Rosen, G. 2006. Mold & mold toxin remediation. Hope Academic Publishing. Tampa, Florida. p.31

May, J.C., and C.L. May. 2004. The mold survival guide for your home and for your health. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore & London. p. 44

Reijula, K. Occupational exposure to molds, diseases and diagnosis. In ‘Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health effect, Assessment, Prevention and Control. Edited by Johanning, E. pp.38-47

Fung F, Clark R. 2004. Health effects of mycotoxins: a toxicological overview. J Toxicol; 42:217--34.

Reijula, K. 1999. Occupational exposure to molds, diseases and diagnosis. In ‘Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health effect, Assessment, Prevention and Control. Edited by Johanning, E. pp.38-47

Gray, M. 2005. Molds and Mycotoxins: Beyond Allergies and Asthma. Managing Biotransformation: The Metabolic, Genomic, and Detoxification Balance Points. 13th International Symposium of The Institute for Functional Medicine. p147

Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. 2004. Damp indoor spaces and health. National Academies Press, Washington D.C. p. 1

Rosen, G. 2006. Mold & mold toxin remediation. Hope Academic Publishing. Tampa, Florida. p.3

Rosen, G., Schaller, J.  2006. Your guide to mold toxins. 2nd ed. Hope Academic Publishing. Tampa, Florida. p.i

Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. 2004. Damp indoor spaces and health. National Academies Press, Washington D.C. pp. 270-271

 

 

 

 

 

Available in the Montreal, Canada region only. Call 514 422-8457