Molds or fungi can be found in at least small amounts almost anywhere due to their release of tiny spores. Spores can be hazardous to human health and potentially cause allergic reactions, fungal infection (mycosis) or release mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites (toxic chemical products) that can be present with the spores, the mycelium of fungi and even the surface where the fungi grow. Not all fungi however produce mycotoxins and, specific environmental conditions are required … [Read more...]
Any Input Relative To The Spore Levels Identified?
January 22, 2011 By
Question: My daughter and her room-mate have been housed in a room that has an elevated mold count. The outside mold count on the day of the test was 2,600 spores per cubic meter of air while the count in the dorm in the dorm room was 10,300. The preliminary test identified three different types of mold spores with readings elevated above outdoor readings. These spore types and readings were as follows: Penicillium/Aspergillus: Outdoor count: 907 spores/cubic meter of air Dorm room … [Read more...]
Mold And Health
July 14, 2007 By
Mold Allergy, Mycotoxins And Mold Infections How Do Moulds Affect Our Health? There are three ways in which mold can affect our health. These include allergy, mycotoxin poisoning and infections. Allergenic Reactions An allergy is an acquired sensitivity to allergenic particles such as mold spores and pollen. Allergy acquired from a single exposure is specific to one or to closely related species. Multiple exposures may result in multiple sensitivities. Alternaria and Cladosporium are … [Read more...]
Chaetomium species as indoor contaminants
June 26, 2007 By
Chaetomium species Chaetomium species are found worldwide in soil, dung, or decaying plants. Most species are prolific producers of the enzyme cellulase that breaks down cellulose. Destruction of paper and other materials containing cellulose (including foods, feeds, paper, textile, bird feathers, seeds and military equipment) by species of this mould is well documented. Due to their strong ability to destroy material, Chaetomium species are often used in testing materials for resistance to … [Read more...]
What Are Acceptable Levels Of Mould Spores And What Are The Effects Of Spores On The Human Body?
April 4, 2006 By
After analysing air samples for total spore counts, we often get asked whether there are acceptable levels of mould concentrations in air and what effects mould spores have on human health. Unlike many other indoor pollutants, there are currently no set acceptable levels for mould spores. The scientific community including medical doctors is polarized on the effects of mould on human health. However, it is generally accepted that mould can: Elicit allergic reactions to sensitized (or atopic) … [Read more...]
Alternaria alternata as a cause of allergic diseases
November 28, 2005 By
Alternaria alternata is a fairly common indoor mould. In one study it was found in 87% of the homes examined. It is considered one of the most important fungal allergens. Alternaria alternata has been implicated as the cause of allergic diseases in people exposed to wood and sawdust during paper production in paper mills. It is regarded as the main cause of allergy and asthma in children aged 6–11 years. It is known to produce over 70 various mycotoxins with tenuazonic acid being the most … [Read more...]
What Are the Health Effects of Eating Mouldy Food and Feed?
September 19, 2005 By
Recently we received the following questions and comments. “Eating mouldy bread is discouraged. Where can I find the facts that prove this? Are there moulds that grow on bread that are harmless? Some of my patients that survived food shortages in The UK during World War II by eating mouldy bread and other foods insist that such fears about mould are unfounded”. Why Is Eating Mouldy Food Discouraged? It is true that people may eat mouldy food without any harm. In many cases, children … [Read more...]
Stachybotrys chartarum: is it deadly?
July 12, 2005 By
Stachybotrys chartarum, also known by an old name as Stachybotrys atra, is a cellulose degrading fungus commonly found in soil and on materials rich in cellulose such as hay, straw, cereal grains, plant debris, wood pulp, paper, and cotton. It produces a mass of wet spores sticking together giving the appearance of black pin-heads. The spores (referred to as conidia) are single-celled and ornamented. In indoor environment Stachybotrys thrives on wet cellulose containing material such as drywall … [Read more...]
Mould and food spoilage
July 8, 2005 By
Mould not only contaminates our air but also contaminate our food. As the mould grows on food it produces enzymes that break down the food resulting to spoilage. In addition to enzymes, some moulds such as Aspergillus flavus also produce mycotoxins onto the food. Ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated food is fatal. Hundreds of people in developing countries die every year after consuming grains contaminated with mycotoxins. Food spoilage due to mould includes off-flavours, mycotoxins … [Read more...]
The Mould Stachybotrys chartarum: Why Is It So Feared?
June 23, 2005 By
The health effects due to the mould Stachybotrys chartarum are controversial. Stachybotrys chartarum, also known by an old name as Stachybotrys atra, is a cellulose degrading fungus commonly found in soil and on materials rich in cellulose such as hay, straw, cereal grains, plant debris, wood pulp, paper, and cotton. Although Stachybotrys chartarum mainly survives as a saprophyte (i.e., by feeding on dead organic material), it has also been reported to cause root lesions on soybean. Why is … [Read more...]