Enmedex - Health Effects of Indoor Mould

Health Effects of Indoor Moulds

Medical science has overwhelming yet inconclusive evidence that moulds effect health. Many are directly beneficial, but here we will limit our discussion to moulds that are linked to negative effects.

We are exposed to moulds and their byproducts through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact, each of which can have very different outcomes. The major effects of mould exposure are infection, allergic reactions, and irritations. Ingestion and inhalation of some mycotoxins have been linked to cancers, however far more investigation is needed in this area.

Infection

The incidence of human infection by mould is still rare compared to the number of viral and bacterial infections. The following list shows known fungal infections with well-documented outcomes ranging from mild to fatal.

>>>>> ~ Aspergillosis
>>>>> ~ Histoplasmosis
>>>>> ~ Coccidiomycosis
>>>>> ~ Blastomycosis
>>>>> ~ Crytococccosis
>>>>> ~ Sporotrichosis

Allergic or Hypersensitivity Reactions

Allergic and hypersensitivity reactions are by far the most common negative manifestation of contact with moulds. The difficulty in diagnosing mould related illnesses stems from the similarity of symptoms associated with other infections, such as cold and flu. Furthermore, new research from CMHC indicates that other indoor contaminants, such as gases and particulates, can heighten an individuals sensitivity to mould. These synergistic combinations may explain why some individuals experience mould-like reactions indoors, while scoring relatively low on an allergy test.

Some known symptoms of mould sensitivity include:

Allergic Asthma and Rhinitis – runny congested nose, irritated throat, inflamed eyes and throat, sneezing.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary/Allergic Sinusitis – irritation of upper respiratory system.

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis – acute recurrent pneumonia with fever, cough, tightness in chest, short of breath, fatigue.

Irritations & Summary (next>)

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(Sources: Webster's Dictionary, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Canadian Journal of Public Health, BC Center for Disease Control.)