Health Watch: Health Problems Related to Mold
By Erin Michaels
Tucson Green Times – July 2010
Common household mold causes a variety of health problems, but it is difficult to prove the exact cause of the symptoms.
Mold spores can become airborne and contribute to a variety of respiratory and eye problems.
Because the symptoms of mold allergy resemble those of sinusitis, common cold and asthma, it is often difficult to determine the exact cause of these symptoms.
It’s time to have your home inspected for mold when:
- You can see or smell mold.
- There has been a leak or excessive moisture in your home.
- There is indication of water damage in the past or present.
- Unexplained health problems of anyone living in the home, combined with a previous history of water damage or moisture in the home.
- During the inspection process when purchasing a new home.
Health Conditions Attributed to Mold
- Allergy to mold. Mold allergy has been well documented. Symptoms can include runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, and skin rashes. Allergic fungal sinusitis is also a form of mold allergy. Infections. Aspergillus is the most notable fungus to cause infection (aspergillosis), but others have been associated with infections also. Infection from mold usually occurs only in persons on chemotherapy or who have immune diseases which make them more susceptible to infection. Skin, eyes, and lungs are often affected. Mold can irritate mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory system.
- Trigeminal nerve effects have been associated with mold, and have been reported to cause decreased attention, disorientation, diminished reflex time, and dizziness.
- Volatile compounds (VOCS) produced by mold can cause headache, attention deficit, inability to concentrate, and dizziness.
- Some fungal molds produce toxins or poisons. Toxic molds can suppress the immune system, or damage intestines, skin, or lungs. They can increase susceptibility to cancer, and can cause blood vessels in the skin or lungs to rupture. Toxic molds are reported to cause nausea and diarrhea, depression, headaches, tremors, kidney problems, and infertility.
- Penicillium is a toxic mold which has been linked with kidney damage and has been shown to be carcinogenic (cancer-producing) in laboratory animals.
- Aspergillis is the most toxic mold according to some sources. Some of the toxins produced by aspergillis are reported to cause liver cancer and damage other vital organs.
- Stachybotrys is the mold usually thought of in “sick building syndrome.” It is being investigated as a cause of hemorrhage in the lungs of infants (acute pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis). It has been associated with runny nose, cough, flu-like symptoms, skin irritation in areas of heavy perspiration such as the armpits, headaches, hair loss, malaise, chronic fatigue, depression, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections. Stachybotrys is particularly difficult to test for, so is not usually available in commercial mold test kits.
- Fuusarium is another mold known to produce toxins.
- Insomnia has been reported as a symptom related to mold.
