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About Moulds in
General:
Molds can be found almost anywhere;
they can grow on virtually any substance when moisture is present.
Outdoors, many molds live in the soil and play a key role in the
breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Without molds we
would all be struggling with large amounts of dead plant matter.
Molds break down plant materials by digesting them, using the plant
material for food.
The Difference Between
Molds - Indoors vs. Outdoors:
In the outdoor environment there are
often many different species of molds all competing for space and
food. Through natural competition these different species keep each
other 'under control' and this prevents any one species from
becoming over dominant. This means that the outdoor air that you
breathe contains a small amount of a large number of types of
spores. In the indoor environment the fungal ecology is often very
different. Indoor mold growth is often limited to a much fewer
number of species than outdoors, but in much larger amounts. This
means that the indoor air can be contaminated with a large number of
spores from only a few species of molds. Remember, the dose makes
the poison - if you rinse your mouth with mouthwash you will kill
the bacteria in your mouth leaving you with fresh breath, if you
drink the whole bottle, however, you will need to call poison
control! Mold is no different - if you are exposed to high levels
of a particular type of mold you stand a much higher chance of
having health related issues as a result.
Mold Spores:
Molds produce tiny spores, that are
invisible to the naked eye, as part of their reproduction, just as
plants produce seeds. Mold spores waft through the indoor and
outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot or
wet area indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they
are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow
on wood, paper, plastics, carpet, foods, and even dynamite!
There is no practical way to eliminate
all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to
control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
Mould Photographs Courtesy of
EMC Scientific Inc.
Mold Spores and Your
Health:
All molds can cause health problems
such as asthma episodes in individuals with an allergic reaction to
mold, but the effects of mold on the human body are not fully
understood. The Center for Disease Control in the USA states, "The
hazards presented by molds that may contain mycotoxins should be
considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your
house". Even people who seem to be immune to the effects of mold
can become sensitized and start showing symptoms after repeat
exposures.
Mold Heath
Problems can be Broken Down into 3 Groups:
-
Allergenic-
Causing allergy and asthma symptoms. Up to 32% of all asthmatics
are sensitive to molds. A study performed by the Mayo Clinic
found 93% of patients with chronic sinusitis was caused by mould.
-
Pathogenic-
A disease caused by mould. Diseases associated with mold are
usually caused by high exposure or found in immune compromised
individuals.
-
Toxic-
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites (toxins not necessary for
survival) produced to kill other fungi competing for the mould's
food and water. Mycotoxins are highly carcinogenic and can cause
serious health effects in almost anybody. They are neurotoxins
(cause neurological damage) which can enter the body through
digestion, skin or the respiratory system. There is an ever
growing list of moulds that produce mycotoxins.
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