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"Most
homeowners believe that as long as they do not see visible signs of mould,
that is, patches of green, blue, or black discoloration on surfaces, their
environment is free of contamination. What they don't realize, however, is
that large accumulations of [hidden or concealed] mould may be growing in
areas that they cannot see, like air ducts, remote attic or basement
spaces, or wall cavities. Left to multiply, these
infestations may produce enough organic compounds to cause allergic
reactions, sickness and, in extreme cases, death (a possibility with
infants)," Edward R. Lipinski, "HOME CLINIC: The Battle Against
mould and Mildew,"
N.Y.
TIMES, 9/12/99.
"Fifty
percent [50%] of homes contain problem moulds.
A
new medical study attributes nearly 100% of chronic sinus infections to
mould. A 300% increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years has been
linked to moulds," as
reported in USA
WEEKEND, Dec. 3-5,
1999.
"Exposure
to certain types of fungi, known as toxic mould, can cause a serious
[allergic] reaction. If you're unlucky, this is the kind of mould you have.
If you're really unlucky, your toxic mould will gird for battle and go to
war, secreting chemicals called mycotoxins, which can find their way into
your body, entering through your nose, mouth, and skin, lodging perhaps in
your digestive tract, your lungs, or your brain. Among these toxins are trichothecenes, which were rumored to have been used as a biological
weapon during the wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam," warned Lisa
Belkin, "Haunted by Mould,"
NEW
YORK TIMES, Aug.
13, 2001.
"All moulds have
the potential to cause health effects. Moulds can produce allergens that can
trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic to
mould. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants. Potential
health concerns are an important reason." The
U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
March, 2001.
"Even if mould
in your house doesn't cause you any medical problems, if it becomes
established in the wood in your home, 'dry rot' may form. Dry rot can
result in a homeowner's nightmare. When the mould dies, the wood dries and
then shrinks, breaking up into irregular chunks. Cracks in the wood fiber
then act like straws, siphoning up moisture and carrying it to undamaged
portions of the wood. Left unchecked, this process keeps recurring,
continually rotting more wood, and can cause severe structural damage to
your home," warned Vicki Lankarge, on the website
insure.com.
"Mould problems have
become more prevalent because of increased use of cheaper building materials
like plasterboard and plywood, which are more prone to growing mould when
wet...Mould, as always, is spreading. But so is mould litigation, to the
consternation of the insurance industry. Last week a state court in Austin,
Texas, awarded Melinda Ballard and her family $32.1 million in a case
involving allegedly extensive mould damage to their Dripping Springs, Texas,
house. The jury ruled that Farmers Insurance Group had failed to properly
address Ms. Ballard's original water-damage and mould claim and committed
fraud in its handling of her claim," noted Christopher Oster, "Insurers Blanch At Proliferation of Mould Claims,"
Wall Street Journal,
June 6, '01.
Attention Canadian Mould Health Victims:
You can learn in depth information about the health effects of exposure to toxic mould
and
how to diagnose and treat mould illnesses, read our new book
Mould Health Guide.
BACK TO TOP
More Information About Mold and Health---
[Alzheimer's
Disease & Mould][Asthma and
Mould
][Mould
Antibody Blood Testing & Other Mould Medical Diagnostic Test
][Mould Prevention:
Landscaping ----- ][Mould
Scientist ]
[Skin Diseases][Stachybotrys
Information][Mould Headache]
[Pregnancy and Mould
Problems
]
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The Top Health Symptoms of Mould Affecting Your
Health
The top health
symptoms that you or a family member may be suffering from allergy to
mould, animal dander, or dust--- or having asthma triggered by mould
exposure (listed in alphabetical order: note that you may suffer one
or several of these symptoms)---
-
memory loss or memory difficulties/Alzheimers-like
symptoms
-
learning difficulties or mental functioning problems
-
feeling lost or "disconnected" from
what's happening around you
-
headaches
-
seizures
-
runny nose (rhinitis)
-
clear, thin, watery mucus from your nose may
appear suddenly
-
sinus congestion and sinus problems
-
thick, green slime coming out of nose
(from sinus cavities)
-
coughing and resulting sore
lungs/chest from excessive coughing
-
coughing up blood
-
bleeding lungs
-
difficulty breathing
-
hives
-
itching of the nose, mouth, eyes, throat,
skin, or any area
-
redness of the sclera (white of your eyes)
-
skin rashes
-
skin redness
-
open skin sores and lacerations
-
sneezing
-
sneezing fits (more than three sneezes
in a row, happening often)
-
vomiting
-
diarrhea
-
chronic, excessive, or continued
fatigue
BACK TO TOP
Is it a cold or allergies?
Some tips to help
you tell the difference, courtesy of the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology [U.S.A. Today, "All About Allergies and
Asthma," March 16,2001]
Allergies
Eyes, ears, nose and/or throat (especially
the palate or roof of the mouth) are itchy.
Eyes
may also be red and watery.
Sneezing is often repetitive.
Nasal discharge is usually clear and thin.
Fever and achiness are typically absent.
Symptoms tend to be seasonal and are often
at their worst during pollen season (from spring to the first frost in the
fall).
Symptoms may last for weeks or months, or
may be chronic, depending upon exposure to offending allergen (s).
Colds
Nasal discharge is usually clear
initially, but may become thick and yellow after several days.
Sneezing is usually sporadic and
non-repetitive.
Fever and aches may be present
Eyes, ears, nose and/or throat have no or
minimal itching.
Symptoms typically end within 3 to 10 days.
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Top Ten Triggers for Seasonal
Allergies
Precautions to Take
to Reduce the Impact of the "Top Ten Triggers for Seasonal
Allergies," courtesy of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology [U.S.A. Today, "All About Allergies and
Asthma," March 16,2001]
Up to 20% of the
U.S. population suffers from allergic diseases, including 35 million who
suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergists recommended avoidance as the
first line of defense against seasonal allergies. Here are the ten ways
you can reduce your seasonal allergy symptoms:
1. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high and on windy days when pollen
and dust are blown about.
2. Use air conditioning and a dehumidifier to clean, cool and dry the air.
3. Shower or bathe and change clothes following outdoor activity to remove
pollen and fungal spores from your hair skin and clothing.
4. Don’t hang clothes to dry outside; instead, dry them in a vented
dryer.
5. Have a friend or a family member do yard work.
6. Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollen and fungal spores from
drifting into your home. Instead, if needed, use air conditioning which
cleans, cools and dries the air.
7. Minimize activities when pollen counts are high. Peak pollen times are
usually between 2-4 p.m., but differ for trees, grasses, and weeds.
8. Keep your car windows closed when travelling.
9. Try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be
high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.
10. Take your vacation to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or
sea.
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Health
Effects
[from Minn. & Cal. Health
Depts.]
How am I exposed to indoor moulds?
Mould is found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It is
common to find mould spores in the air of homes and growing on damp
surfaces. Much of the mould found indoors comes from outdoor sources.
Therefore, everyone is exposed to some mould on a daily basis without
evident harm. Mould spores primarily cause health problems when they enter
the air and are inhaled in large number. People can also be exposed to
mould through skin contact and eating.
How much mould can make me sick?
It depends. For some people, a relatively small number
of mould spores can cause health problems. For other people, it may take
many more. The basic rule is, if you can see or smell it, take steps to
eliminate the excess moisture, and to cleanup and remove the mould.
Who is at greater risk when exposed to mould?
Exposure to mould is not healthy for anyone inside
buildings. It is important to quickly identify and correct any moisture
sources before health problems develop. The following individuals appear
to be at higher risk for adverse health effects of moulds:
-
Infants and children
-
elderly
-
immune compromised patients (people with HIV
infection, cancer chemotherapy, liver disease, etc.)
-
pregnant women
-
individuals with existing respiratory conditions,
such as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma.
People with these special concerns should consult a
physician if they are having health problems.
What symptoms are common?
Allergic reactions may be the most common health
problem of mould exposure. Typical symptoms reported (alone or in
combination) include:
-
respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and
difficulty in breathing
-
nasal and sinus congestion
-
eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision,
light sensitivity
-
dry, hacking cough
-
sore throat
-
nose and throat irritation
-
shortness of breath
-
skin irritation
-
central nervous system problems (constant
headaches, memory problems, and mood changes)
-
aches and pains
-
possible fever
Are some moulds more hazardous than others?
Allergic persons vary in their sensitivities to mould,
both as to amount and type needed to cause reactions. In addition, certain
types of moulds can produce toxins, called mycotoxins, that the mould
uses to inhibit or prevent the growth of other organisms. Mycotoxins are
found in both living and dead mould spores. Materials permeated with
mould need to be removed, even after they are disinfected with cleaning
solutions. Allergic and toxic effects can remain in dead spores.
Exposure to mycotoxins may present a greater hazard than that of
allergenic or irritating moulds. Mycotoxins have been found in homes,
agricultural settings, food, and office buildings.
BACK TO TOP
You can also visit
http://www.allergy-asthma-sinusitis.com for related
topics.
For information on how to
test for mould, please click:
Mould
Testing
For information on mould removal, please click:
Mould
Removal
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