How am I exposed to indoor molds?
Mold is found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It is common to find mold spores in the air of homes and growing on damp surfaces. Much of the mold found indoors comes from outdoor sources. Therefore, everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis without evident harm. Mold spores primarily cause health problems when they enter the air and are inhaled in large number. People can also be exposed to mold through skin contact and eating.

How much mold can make me sick?
It depends. For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can cause health problems. For other people, it may take may more. The basic rule is, if you can see or smell it, take steps to eliminate the excess moisture, and to cleanup and remove the mold.

What is at greater risk when exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold is not health for anyone inside buildings. It is important to quickly identify and correct any moisture sources before health problems develop. The following individuals appear to be at higher risk for adverse health effects of molds:

• Infants and Children

• Elderly

• Immune compromised patients ( people with HIV infection, cancer, chemotherapy, liver disease, etc.)

• Pregnant Women

• Individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma.

Infection from Mold
Although many mold fungi are harmless, there are now over 100 identified species that are known to cause one of these types of infection of humans:

1. Systemic Infection;

2. Opportunistic Infection (Mold Parasites); and

3. Dermatophytes (a group of fungi that infects the hair, skin, and nails)

Opportunistic infection is usually a secondary result of some other primary disease. Systemic infection can be fatal to immune suppressed individuals. Infection by dermatophytes usually occurs through direct contact with an individual or indirectly by sharing clothes, grooming utensils, etc., and rarely from the environment.

Toxicosis from Mold
Many fungi produce toxic metabolites called mycotoxins. Dramatic and carcinogenic effects have been recorded for animals and humans exposed to high levels of mycotoxins in laboratory studies. Symptoms of exposure to mycotoxins may include cold and flu like symptoms, headache, nose bleeds, dermatitis, and immune suppression. Many mycotoxins are highly carcinogenic (disease causing).

Allergy from Mold
Allergy is the most common symptom associated with exposure to elevated levels of fungal spores or mold fragments. Any fungus can be allergenic., Symptoms include conjunctivitis rhinitis, bronchitis, asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonities.

Irritation from Mold
Fungi produced volatile organic compounds during degradation of substrates that cause the "moldy" odor associated with fungal contamination. These compounds can be irritating to mucous membranes, causing headaches and other symptoms.

Asthma from Mold
17.3 million Americans have asthma, a respiratory disease that leaves sufferers coughing, wheezing and gasping for air. Cases of asthma have risen about 75 percent since 1980, particularly among blacks and poor, inner-city populations, says the report released by the prestigious Institute of Medicine that studied just how big a role that air inside people's homes can play in the disease.