What is Mold?
A fungus that eats and grows on and in damp or high moisture or decaying
organic matter. Mold (fungi) is present every- where -
indoors and outdoors. There are more than 100,000 species of mold. At
least 1,000 species of mold are common in the U.S. Some of the most
commonly found species are Stachybotrys Cladosporium, Penicillium, and
Aspergillus. Mold is most likely to grow where there is water or dampness
- such as in bathrooms and basements. Synonym: mould.
How can mold affect
your health?
Most types of mold that are routinely encountered are not hazardous to
healthy individuals. However, too much exposure to mold may cause or
worsen conditions such as asthma, hay fever, or other allergies. The most
common symptoms of overexposure are cough, congestion, runny nose, eye
irritation, and aggravation of asthma. Depending on the amount of exposure
and a person s individual vulnerability, more serious health effects -
such as fevers and breathing problems - can occur but are unusual.
How can you be exposed
to mold?
When moldy material becomes damaged or disturbed, spores (reproductive
bodies similar to seeds) can be released into the air. Exposure can occur
if people inhale the spores, directly handle moldy materials, or
accidentally ingest it. Also, mold can sometimes produce chemicals called
mycotoxins. Mycotoxins may cause illness in people who are sensitive to
them or if they are exposed to large amounts in the air. Large exposures
are typically associated with certain occupations.
How does mold grow?
All molds need water to grow. Mold can grow almost anywhere there is
water damage, high humidity, or dampness. Most often molds are confined to
areas near the source of water. Removing the source of moisture - such as
through repairs or dehumidification - is critical to preventing mold
growth.
What is Stachybotrys
chartarum?
Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) is a type of mold
that has been associated with health effects in people. It is a
greenish-black mold that can grow on materials with a high cellulose
content - such as drywall sheetrock, dropped ceiling tiles, and wood -
that become chronically moist or water-damaged, due to excessive humidity,
water leaks, condensation, or flooding.
How can you
tell if Stachybotrys chartarum is present in your home?
Many molds are black in appearance but are not Stachybotrys. For
example, the black mold commonly found between bathroom tiles is not
Stachybotrys. Stachybotrys can be positively identified only by specially
trained professionals (e.g., mycologists) through a microscopic exam.
How can
Stachybotrys chartarum affect your health?
Typically, indoor air levels of Stachybotrys are low; however, as with
other types of mold, at higher levels health effects can occur. These
include allergic rhinitis (cold-like symptoms), dermatitis (rashes),
sinusitis, conjunctivitis, and aggravation of asthma. Some related
symptoms are more general - such as inability to concentrate and fatigue.
Usually, symptoms disappear after the contamination is removed.
There
has been some evidence linking Stachybotrys with pulmonary hemosiderosis
in infants who are generally less than six months old. Pulmonary
hemosiderosis is an uncommon condition that results from bleeding in the
lungs. In studied cases of pulmonary hemosiderosis, the exposure to
Stachybotrys came from highly contaminated dwellings, where the infants
were continually exposed over a long period of time.
Courtesy
of:
New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
Environmental & Occupational Disease Epidemiology
|
Dangerous
Penicillium
mold as seen
under a microscope |
Deadly
Stachybotrys chartarum found on drywall. |
Unhealthy
Alternaria
mold viewed
through a microscope |
|
