Mold Health Problems in the USA,
Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Asia, New
Zealand, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
Exposure to Toxic
Black Mold
Destroys Both
Your Home and Your Health!
"Most homeowners believe that as long as they do not see visible signs of
mold, 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] mold 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 Mold and Mildew,"
N.Y. TIMES,
9/12/99.
"Fifty percent [50%] of homes contain problem molds.
A new medical study
attributes nearly 100% of chronic sinus infections to mold. A 300%
increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years has been
linked to molds," as
reported in USA
WEEKEND, Dec. 3-5,
1999.
"Exposure to certain types of
fungi, known as toxic mold, can cause a serious [allergic] reaction. If
you're unlucky, this is the kind of mold you have. If you're really
unlucky, your toxic mold 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 Mold,"
NEW YORK TIMES,
Aug. 13, 2001.
"All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds can
produce allergens that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma
attacks in people allergic to mold. 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 mold 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 mold
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.
"Mold problems have become more prevalent because of increased
use of cheaper building materials like plasterboard and plywood, which are
more prone to growing mold when wet...Mold, as always, is spreading. But
so is mold 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 mold 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 mold claim and committed fraud in its handling of her
claim," noted Christopher Oster, "Insurers Blanch At Proliferation of Mold
Claims," Wall Street
Journal, June 6, '01.
For in
depth information about the health effects of exposure to toxic mold and
how to diagnose and treat mold illnesses, read our new book
Mold Health Guide.
For more mold
health information, please visit the
following pages, as well as read the rest of this page below---
[ Breathing-Problem ]
|
The Top Health Symptoms of Mold Affecting
Your Health
The top
health symptoms that you or a family member may be suffering from allergy
to mold, animal dander, or dust--- or having asthma triggered by mold
exposure (listed in alphabetical order: note that you may suffer one or
several of these symptoms)---
a
memory loss or memory
difficulties/Alzheimers-like symptoms
a learning
difficulties or mental functioning problems
a feeling lost or "disconnected" from what's happening around you
a headaches
a seizures
a runny nose (rhinitis)
a clear, thin, watery mucus from your nose may appear suddenly
a sinus congestion and sinus problems
a thick, green slime coming out of nose (from sinus cavities)
a coughing and resulting sore lungs/chest from excessive coughing
a coughing up blood
a bleeding lungs
a difficulty breathing
a hives
a itching of the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
a redness of the sclera (white of your eyes)
a skin rashes
a skin redness
a open skin sores and lacerations
a sneezing
a sneezing fits (more than three sneezes in a row, happening often)
a vomiting
a diarrhea
a chronic, excessive, or continued fatigue
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
aEyes, ears, nose and/or throat (especially the palate or roof of the
mouth) are itchy.
aEyes may also be red and watery.
aSneezing is often repetitive.
aNasal discharge is usually clear and thin.
aFever and achiness are typically absent.
a Symptoms tend to be seasonal and are often at their worst during pollen
season (from spring to the first frost in the fall).
aSymptoms may last for weeks or months, or may be chronic, depending upon
exposure to offending allergen(s),
Colds
aNasal discharge is usually clear initially, but may become thick
and yellow after several days.
aSneezing is usually sporadic and non-repetitive.
aFever and aches may be present
aEyes, ears, nose and/or throat have no or minimal itching.
aSymptoms typically end within 3 to 10 days.
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. |
|
HEALTH EFFECTS [from Minn.
& Cal. Health Depts.]
How am I exposed to indoor molds?
Mold is found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It is
common to find mold spores in the air of homes and growing on damp
surfaces. Much of the mold found indoors comes from outdoor sources.
Therefore, everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis without
evident harm. Mold spores primarily cause health problems when they enter
the air and are inhaled in large number. People can also be exposed to
mold through skin contact and eating.
How much mold can make me sick?
It depends. For some people, a relatively small number
of mold 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 mold.
Who is at greater risk when exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold 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 molds:
-
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 mold 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 molds more hazardous than others?
Allergic persons vary in their sensitivities to mold,
both as to amount and type needed to cause reactions. In addition, certain
types of molds can produce toxins, called mycotoxins, that the mold
uses to inhibit or prevent the growth of other organisms. Mycotoxins are
found in both living and dead mold spores. Materials permeated with
mold 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 molds. Mycotoxins have been found in homes,
agricultural settings, food, and office buildings. |
|
[Home] [Up] [Mold-Inspection] [Mold-Inspector] [Health-Problem-and-Mold] [Mold-Removal] |
|
