Mould Health Hazards Water damaged buildings whether
from a leak, penetrating damp or flooding will result in biological
amplification.
Although
mould will usually develop within 48 hours of a building being wet,
bacteria is the first life form to multiply and as we know mould
(penicillium) are natural enemies. Moulds and bacteria release various
chemicals to defend their growth areas and the longer materials are wet
the greater risk of increased human exposure from both levels (dose) and
types of contaminates.
Typically mould will move through three different phases
of development, primary, secondary and tertiary growth. While
all moulds are allergenic and may trigger asthma and various type 1
allergies, the tertiary slow growing moulds are more likely to develop
into toxic moulds. While these may be recognised as "Toxic
Mould" they do not necessarily produce toxins unless under stress or
threat from other moulds, bacteria, or fungicides, (bleach etc)
Apart from mould and bacteria many
other contaminates are likely to be present in a damp or wet building
and these can include chemicals released from wet building materials,
dust and particulates , specifically the size which are inhalable to
lower respiratory system and may be contaminated with toxins.
The WHO have stated that fragments
of dead mould and bacteria may be up to 40 times more hazardous and
harmful than active viable mould growth. (see WHO evidence) There are many reasons for this and
Mould Busters will provide economic solutions.
Mould is everywhere on the planet
and we are all exposed to
mould on a daily basis.
The levels of normal mould spore
exposure are called ambient and these
are what would normally be counted as spores per cubic meter and these
would
usually be made up of different types or genus /species. Some types of
mould found
in water damaged or damp homes are not usually present at
detectable levels in
ambient air, so when found in a home may point to possible health
hazards.
There are over 100,000 types of
mould but generally only 30
which have been identified as possible health
hazards and these all grow in damp homes.
Some moulds are recognised as toxic but toxic moulds do not always
produce
toxins. All moulds are allergenic and it is generally accepted that
exposure to
higher than average mould levels can cause or trigger asthma in
susceptible
people.
Susceptible people are
considered to be the very young (under 11 who′s immune system has
yet to develop or over 60 which is in decline. Also those on
long
term prescription drugs or chemotherapy or may even be genetically
predisposed.
Health Issues
Exposure to mould can
cause allergic reaction and sometimes when toxins are produced serious
health
consequences may follow.
Exposure is based on either
quantity of spores in single
events or chronic exposure of lower spore counts but over longer periods
such
as living and sleeping in mould contaminated homes.
Why is mould a health
hazard?
Mould is the planets clean up
system where it is always
present and waiting to digest dead cellulose and organic materials. Our
homes are
made of these materials in the form of wall paper, plasterboard,
furniture, clothing
even dust which is often dead skin. Different moulds compete with each
other
and bacteria to grow and digest these dead materials. When
challenged by other organisms or fungicides they may produce very potent
toxins to fight off competitors.
When mould growth is attacked it
can in some circumstances release a defence chemical called "mycotoxin
These mycotoxins are amongst the most toxic substances known to man and
are used as reference points against other poisons for lethality.
Medical products made from mould
include "Statins antibiotics, and drugs to turn off the immune system
typically prior and post to transplant surgery
and these same chemicals may be present in mould affected
homes..
Mycotoxins
are usually only released when specific moulds are under attack in
situations such as competition with other moulds or bacteria, and of
course drying out or killing mould with fungicide or bleach type
products.
Dead
mould can be a greater health threat than live spores because they sub
micron fragments of dead spores can be covered in chemical mycotoxins
for inhalation to deep or lower lung where blood oxygen transfer occurs
and toxins can enter blood stream making even small amounts very
harmful.
Mould
producing Mycoxtoxin and effects Aspergillus various
species but some can produce Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin and these are
carcinogens Penicillium can produce Ochratoxin and is linked
specifically to damage of kidneys and liver and depleting the immune
system. Stachybotrys
and Fusarium can produce Trichothecenes which are known
to be used in weapons of mass destruction and the pharmaceutical
industry Trying to kill mould may cause the release of
chemicals mycotoxins and no fungicide is likely to neutralise these
chemicals.
Spores
can grow in the lungs of susceptible people and the
toxins released can be on surfaces or in the air on fragments of dead
mould.
Typical Health consequence from mould exposure
Itchy eyes Flu like symptoms Achy joints Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Tingling lips Skin irritation and rings Nose and lung bleeds Headache Blurred vision Vertigo Static electric shock Metalic taste Some papers of interest and confirming the health hazards and
risk moulds and water damaged buildings
Mycotoxins and why dead mould is more hazardous Why its impossible to destroy (Kill or neutralise) mould WHO IAQ Dampness and Mould 2009 A
table of mycotoxins and possible health impact