Black Mold Symptoms

Thursday, April 09, 2009 by Michael-Bains

Most people concerned about mold related health problems think in terms of "black mold symptoms" or "toxic mold symptoms".  Rather than focusing on those terms specifically, this document will outline potential health problems from mold exposure in general.

Health problems from molds can be broken down into four categories: allergies, infections, irritations, and toxicities.

Allergies

Allergies are probably the most common reaction to contact with molds. Atopic individuals (those who experience allergic reactions that is often hereditary) who are exposed to mold, mold spores, or mold byproducts may manifest allergic reactions once they become vulnerable (sensitized) to the particular mold. The reactions can run the spectrum, from very mild and temporary reactions to acute,
chronic illness. Of course, molds are simply one of the causes of indoor allergens. Other common causes include dust mites, cockroaches, effluvia from domestic pets and other microorganisms (molds are included in this category).

However, according to The Institute of Medicine:

- 1 in 5 Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis, the most
common chronic disease in humans.

- 1 in 9 Americans suffer from allergy-related sinusitis.

- 1 in 10 Americans have allergic-related asthma.

- 1 in 11 Americans experience allergic dermatitis.

- Less than 1 in 100 Americans suffer from serious  chronic allergic diseases.

These statistics indicate that allergic reactions are extremely common in humans. Often times, the specific cause of the allergies is in question. Recently, the existence of mold in homes and workplaces has cropped up as a very real possibility as the cause of some of these allergic reactions.

Many different types of molds can put their spores and byproducts into the air, but only a few purified mold allergens are available for allergy tests. Atopic individuals can become sensitized to certain molds, but this may not always be cited by a health care professional as a mold-related allergy. A positive mold allergy test indicates that an individual is susceptible to a specific allergen, but testing negative doesn't necessarily rule out mold allergy for atopic individuals.

Irritations

Fungal exposure can also come from any volatile compounds (VOCs) that a fungi/mold creates through primary or secondary metabolism that then becomes airborne. (Primary metabolic processes are those necessary to sustain the life of an organism.) These volatile compounds may be constantly created as the fungus
consumes its food source during the primary metabolic process. VOCs can irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory system.

Fungi that consume certain organic sources can release highly toxic gases. For instance, a fungus that grows on wallpaper often releases toxic gas arsine directly from the wallpaper that contains arsenic pigments. Thus, fungi and molds can release dangerous materials when they break down the host material. This can cause mucous membrane irritation in sensitized individuals.

Fungal volatile compounds may impact the "common chemical sense" which senses pungency and responds to it. This sense is primarily associated with the trigeminal nerve. The sensory and motor nerves respond to pungency by trying to hold the breath, discomfort, or through sensations such as itching, burning, and skin crawling.  Changes in sensation, swelling of mucous membranes, constriction of
respiratory smooth muscle, or dilation of surface blood vessels may be part of fight or flight reactions in response to trigeminal nerve stimulation. Reactions often include a reduced attention level, general disorientation, lowered reflex time, dizziness, etc.

Volatile Compounds found in or around homes can be responsible for mucous membrane irritants. It is thought that fungi can add to the already existing compounds when breaking down certain organic substances. A mold-contaminated building may have a significant contribution from its fungal contaminants that is added to common VOCs---building materials, paints, plastics and cleaners. VOCs in
general can result in symptoms that include lowered attention span, headaches, lack of concentration, and dizziness.

Some individuals have very strong reactions to the smells given off by molds. Among humans, there is a high degree of variation in ability to detect these odors. Certain individuals can detect low levels of VOCs, while others can only detect relatively high levels. Those individuals who are particularly susceptible to mold odors may react with headache, nasal stuffiness, nausea or even vomiting. Asthmatics often exhibit symptoms when exposed to certain odors.

Infections

This type of reaction from indoor mold is fairly rare, occurring primarily in those individuals who are susceptible. Aspergillus types of mold have been known to be pathogenic (a disease producing microorganism) For instance, Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is a fairly weak pathogen thought to cause infections in vulnerable
individuals. A. fumigatus is also fairly commonly implicated in ABPA and allergic fungal sinusitis.

Other fungi that cause infection include Coccidioides, Histoplasma, and Blastomyces. However, these fungi are rarely found indoors, growing instead in soil and dirt. Human contact is usually due to contact with animals.

Toxicities

Molds also produce secondary metabolites such as antibiotics and mycotoxins (a poisonous substance produced by a fungus).  Sometimes it is possible to isolate antibiotics from the molds  themselves in order to utilize some of their properties in fighting  infections. Secondary metabolisms are not necessary for maintaining
the existence of a mold---either by creating energy or synthesizing  structural components, informational molecules or enzymes. They do,  however, function to provide molds with advantages over other mold  and bacteria and are toxic to certain plant and human cells.

Toxic conditions exist when a human has exposure to these mycotoxins---either through ingesting mycotoxin-containing mold spores or with skin contact to mold itself. Mycotoxins are nearly all cytotoxic (substances produced by microorganisms that are toxic to individual cells), which disrupt various cellular structures such as
membranes, and interrupt important processes, including protein, RNA and DNA synthesis.

Mycotoxins vary in how dangerous they are for humans. Mycotoxins pose a threat to larger organisms not because they are specifically targeting them, but rather because these large organisms inadvertently come across the byproduct of the competing molds all vying for the same ecological niche. Numerous mold types produce mycotoxins, including some found indoors in contaminated homes and
office buildings. Another factor that determines the mycotoxins that are produced by specific molds usually depends on the materials or organisms that they grow on.

It used to be thought that dangerous molds were primarily contaminants in foods. This notion is quickly changing. Recently, researchers have become more concerned with multiple mycotoxins that derive from many types of mold spores growing in moist indoor environments. Health effects from exposures to such mold mixtures can differ from those related to single mycotoxins in controlled laboratory exposures. Although it is difficult to predict how exposure to multiple toxigenic molds can affect an individual (they can synergize the effects), the following provides possible poor health effects from mycotoxin exposure to multiple molds indoors.

-Problems with the vascular system. Increased vascular fragility,
possibility of hemorrhaging into body tissues. Possible molds
include aflatoxin, satratoxin, roridins.
-Problems with digestive system. Diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal
hemorrhage, liver effects (such as necrosis and fibrosis).
Aflatoxin results in deleterious effects on mucous membranes.
-Problems with respiratory system. Including respiratory distress,
and bleeding from the lungs.
-Problems with nervous system. Tremors, lack of coordination,
depression, and headaches.
-Problems with cutaneous system. Symptoms include rash,
burning sensation, and sloughing of skin.
-Problems with urinary system.
-Problems with reproductive system. Including infertility, changes
in reproductive cycles, etc.
-Many mycotoxins can produce changes or a weakening of the
immune system.

Unfortunately, not all types or species of molds have been tested for the presence of mycotoxins. The production of toxins varies according to the type of mold, the substrate on which it grows, and seasons of the year.