By Julie S. Hurst- Nicoll, MBA, CMI, CMR – President, American Mold Experts
Sneezing is not always the symptom of a cold. According to United States Department of Health & Humans Services, sometimes, it is an allergic reaction to something in the air. Health experts estimate that 35 million Americans suffer from upper respiratory tract symptoms that are allergic reactions to airborne allergens. Worldwide, airborne allergens cause the most problems for people with allergies. The respiratory symptoms of asthma, which affect approximately 11 million Americans, are often provoked by airborne allergens.
What is mold allergy? When inhaled, tiny fungal spores, or sometimes pieces of fungi, may cause allergic rhinitis. Because they are so small, mold spores also can reach the lungs. In a small number of people, symptoms of mold allergy may be brought on or worsened by eating certain foods such as cheeses processed with fungi or mushrooms, dried fruits, and foods containing yeast, soy sauce, or vinegar will produce allergy symptoms.
Where do molds grow? Molds can be found wherever there is moisture, oxygen, and a food source. In the fall, they grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, especially in moist, shady areas. In gardens they can be found in compost piles and on certain grasses and weeds. Some molds attach to grains such as wheat, oats, barley, and corn, which makes farms, grain bins, and silos likely places to find mold. Hot spots of mold growth in the home include damp basements and closets, bathrooms (especially shower stalls), places where fresh food is stored, refrigerator drip trays, house plants, air conditioners, humidifiers, garbage pails, furniture or the many other materials in a home.
What molds are allergenic? Like pollens, mold spores are important airborne allergens only if they are abundant, easily carried by air currents, or concentrated in the indoor environment. Found almost everywhere, mold spores in some areas are so numerous they often outnumber the pollens in the air. In general, Alternaria and Cladosporium (Hormodendrum) are the molds most commonly found both indoors and outdoors in the United States. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aureobasidium (Pullularia) are common as well. Are mold counts helpful? Similar to pollen counts, mold counts may suggest the types and number of fungi present at a certain time and place.
Are there other mold-related disorders? Mold may cause other health problems similar to allergic diseases. Some kinds of Aspergillus may cause several different illnesses, including both infections and allergies. These fungi may lodge in the airways or a distant part of the lung and grow until they form a compact sphere known as a “fungus ball.” Aspergillus may grasp the opportunity to invade the lungs or the whole body. In some people, exposure to these fungi also can lead to asthma or to a lung disease resembling severe inflammatory asthma called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This latter condition causes wheezing, low-grade fever, and coughing up of brown-flecked masses or mucus plugs. Skin testing, blood tests, X Rays, and examination of the sputum for fungi can help establish the diagnosis.¹
What about Mold Toxins? There are also poisons released by some molds called mycotoxins, these molecules are typically smaller than the mold spore itself making it even more difficult to detect and requires special indoor testing. These poisons can cause neurological health affects and will typically be present even after a mold remediation. In fact the latest research has shown that traditional remediation process can increase the mycotoxins in the indoor environment.
American Mold Experts
Call today to schedule an assessment!
239-572-2216 or visit www.AMEswfl.com
Julie S. Hurst – Nicoll,
MBA, CMI, CMR
President, American Mold Experts
Serving Central Indiana & Southwest Florida
(Other States for Mold Toxic Patients/Clients Upon Arrangement)
Mold Inspections, Testing & NON-Destructive Remediation
Clearance Testing is ALWAYS INCLUDED in Warranted Jobs (excluding States that forbid clearance by Remediation
Company, ie Florida)
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FL License MRSA 3097, MRSR 3248
If you have questions reach us at
info@americanmoldexperts.com
References:
1 Info provided by U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
NIH Publication No. 03-7045 April 2003 www.niaid.nih.gov