Is Your Home Healthy?

People at Greatest Risk from Mold

People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. People with immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections.

People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs. If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health care provider.

Toxins from mold (called Mycotoxins) can cause serious health effects in almost anybody. These agents are fungal metabolites that have toxic effect ranging from short-term irritation to immunosuppression and even cancer. Virtually all the information related to diseases caused by Mycotoxins concerns ingestion of contaminated food. However, Mycotoxins are contained in some varieties of fungus spores, and these can enter the body through the respiratory tract. Skin is another route of Mycotoxins. Toxins of several fungi have caused cases of severe dermatosos. In view of the serious nature of the toxic effects reported for Mycotoxins, exposure to mycotoxin-producing agents should be minimized.

According to California Health Dept.

Yes. During the cleaning process, you may be exposed to mold, strong detergents, and disinfectants. Spore counts may be 10 to 1000 times higher than background levels when mold-contaminated materials are disturbed. Take steps to protect you and your family's health during cleanup:

When handling or cleaning moldy materials, it is important to use a respirator to protect yourself from inhaling airborne spores.

Respirators can be purchased from hardware stores; select one that is effective for particle removal (sometimes referred to as an N-95 particulate respirator). However, respirators that remove particles will not protect you from fumes (such as bleach). Minimize exposure when using bleach or other disinfectants by ensuring good ventilation of the area.