Understanding Mould Exposure

Mould & Health Issues - Mould Exposure

• By understanding how exposure to mould might cause or contribute to illnesses. Therefore, it is useful to distinguish among the meanings of the words allergenic, pathogenic, and toxic effects that exposure to something might explain.
• Allergenic – causing allergic Reactions – including rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, skin problems, and others.
• Pathogenic – Produces Infections, caused by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses.
• Mould Smell Illnesses – headaches, vomiting, nausea, blocked noses, and asthmatic.
• Toxic Illnesses – where mould is involved, maybe produced by mycotoxins that are produced by some, not all, mould species.

Mould Species 

Primarily, note that even for a “toxic” mould species. Hence, the actual level of toxicity can vary significantly. Depending on the growing conditions. Such as growth substrate (what the mould feeds on), humidity, moisture, and other factors.

• Respiratory Illnesses
• Digestive Tract Illnesses. Liver diseases: fibrosis and necrosis; vomiting, diarrhoea, intestinal bleeding.
• Reproductive Illnesses – infertility, variations in reproductive and hormonal cycle.
• Highly Serious Illnesses – Cancer, Tuberculosis, Lupus, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Chronic Fatigue Disorder (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Epstein-Barr, Aspergillosis.

Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds:

• MVOCs & Mouldy Odours
• Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) are gases produced by mould. The musty odour which you might smell from mould is caused by MVOCs. These odours are chemicals which are produced by my moulds during some parts of the mould’s growth cycle.
• Laboratory experiments have identified over 200 compounds as MVOCs. They are commonly made up of strong chemicals such as aldehydes, benzenes, and many more.

When Does the Mould Produce MVOCs

Some moulds produce different MVOCs. Depending on conditions such as how much moisture is available and what material the mould is growing on.

However, MVOCs are only produced when mould is actively growing. This depends on certain conditions such as humidity, temperature, air pressure and light. This is because MVOCs are the waste products created by mould as it grows.

So, if you can smell MVOCs from mould it is a sign that mould is actively growing in your home and that you should remediate the mould problem as soon as possible.

Mould Signs - Mould Exposure

Even if you cannot see mould, the musty smell of MVOCs can alert you to the presence of mould growing in your home hidden from view. MVOCs can do damage to your health even if no mould growth is visible in your home.

Symptoms Caused by MVOCs

MVOCs can cause symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue.

In addition, it may also irritate the eyes and the mucous membranes of the nose and throat. However, because research on MVOCs is still at an early stage, not everything is yet known about MVOCs and our reactions to them.

Mycotoxins - Mould Exposure

These are toxins produced by some species of mould (myco means fungal). This type of fungi is some of the most toxic substances in existence.

Mycotoxin Types

• Some of the different types of mycotoxins are:
• Aflatoxins (produced by Aspergillus) – include Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2, M1 and M2
• Ochratoxin – includes Ochratoxin A, B, and C
• The trichothecene (produced by Stachybotrys) – includes Satratoxin-H, Vomitoxin and T-2 mycotoxins
• Fumonisins – includes Fumonisin B1 and B2
• Zearalenone
• Killing Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins aren’t alive like mould spores. So, when we talk about “killing mycotoxins” it really means breaking down mycotoxins and their toxicity. Hence, they are no longer dangerous to humans.

Additionally, it takes fire at 500 degrees Fahrenheit. For half an hour or a fire at 900 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to destroy the trichothecene mycotoxins.

How do Mycotoxins Enter the Human Body?

When people are around toxic mould they are usually exposed to airborne mycotoxins. By breathing them in. These mycotoxins end up in the lungs. This causes breathing problems and other severe symptoms.

What are VOCs?

Primarily, volatile organic compounds are chemicals used to manufacture them. Maintain building materials, interior furnishings, cleaning products and personal care products.

“Volatile” means that these chemicals evaporate or can easily get into the air at room temperature. “Organic” means these chemicals are carbon-based. The term “chemical emissions” refers to VOCs as they evaporate into the air from products.

Studies by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.EPA) and other researchers have found that VOCs are common in indoor environments.

That their levels maybe two to a thousand times higher than outdoors. There may be anywhere from 50 to hundreds of individual VOCs in the indoor air at any one time.

Some may produce objectionable odours. Although at very low levels, but many have no noticeable smell.

Many VOCs are irritants and can cause headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation and dizziness. Long-term exposure to certain VOCs may lead to chronic diseases. Or even cancer. At high concentrations, some VOCs are toxic.

Where are VOCs Found?

Clearly, most VOCs are found in indoor environments and originate from building materials, indoor furnishings, cleaning supplies, consumer products and processes.

Such as printing, cooking, hobbies, cleaning, interior renovations and pesticide applications.

Therefore, results from studies conducted as part of the state of Washington’s East Campus Plus Program. They showed that 96 per cent of VOCs found in the large office buildings following construction resulted from the materials used to construct and furnish the building.

Means of Chemical Exposure 

There are three ways in which people are exposed to chemicals: ingestion, dermal absorption and inhalation.

Additionally, ingestion occurs when materials that have chemical content are eaten or placed in the mouth.

Next, dermal absorption occurs when chemicals come into contact with the skin.  While these are both significant forms of chemical exposure, the majority of everyday chemical exposure occurs. This is through the air we breathe in our homes, offices, schools and other indoor environments.

These airborne chemicals are commonly referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOC’s).

Health Problems Caused by Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Many factors determine if people get sick from exposure to indoor pollutants, including the type of pollutant, its concentration, the duration of exposure, the method of exposure. Including the individual sensitivities of those exposed. Also, building conditions, such as the amount of ventilation, age of the building, indoor temperature and humidity levels, can also have an impact.

Health Impacts

Indoor Air Quality and Your Health

People spend most of their time indoors, where they face significant health risks due to repeated exposure to air pollutants in their homes, offices, schools and other indoor environments. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to numerous immediate and long-term health problems. Common pollutants include respirable particles, chemical emissions, mould spores, animal allergens, radon, combustion gases, smoke and pesticides.

Immediate or Acute Health Effects:

• Headaches •Eye, nose and throat irritation •Allergic skin reaction •Difficulty breathing •Nausea and/or vomiting
• Confusion •Loss of coordination •Dizziness •Fatigue •Nosebleeds

Health Problems Associated with Mould Exposure

Health problems caused by mould exposure may be acute, which occur immediately, or within a few days of exposure. Health problems may also be chronic, which are long-term health effects that might not occur immediately.

Acute health problems associated with indoor mould exposure include:

• Irritated eyes, nose and throat
• Headache
• Difficulty with concentration or short-term memory

These symptoms together are often called sick building syndrome but are more correctly referred to as building-related symptoms. Generally, acute symptoms resolve when the person is removed from exposure. However, mould exposure may also aggravate chronic conditions, such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and hypersensitivity pneumonitis and may trigger asthma and allergy attacks.

Overview of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Indoor Air is 2 to 5 Times More Polluted Than Outdoor Air

Most of our exposure to environmental pollutants occurs by breathing the air indoors. These pollutants come from activities, products and materials we use every day. The air in our homes, schools and offices can be 2 to 5 times more polluted, and in some cases 100 times more polluted, than outdoor air.

People Spend 90 Per cent of Their Time Indoors

Indoor air quality is a significant concern, because when the hours spent sleeping, working in offices or at school are added up, people on average spend most of their time indoors where they are repeatedly exposed to indoor air pollutants. In fact, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that the average person receives 72 percent of their chemical exposure at home, which means the very places most people consider safest paradoxically exposes them to the greatest amounts of potentially hazardous pollutants.

What Contributes to Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Chemicals

The primary sources of indoor exposure to airborne chemicals are products used in interior environments, including furnishings, building materials and other household and office products, that can emit thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particles into the air. Of all the culprits that can affect IAQ, chemical emissions are the most harmful as they can contribute to a wide range of health effects.

Mould

Moisture problems are another common source of indoor air pollution as they can lead to indoor mould growth. Mould can also emit VOCs and particulates, compromising indoor air quality and leading to negative health effects.  Since it is impossible to eliminate mould spores, the best way to reduce the impact of mould exposure on indoor air quality is to prevent or promptly repair the moisture problems that enable mould growth.

Particulates

The particles emitted from products such as furnishings, building materials and other household and office products are another source of indoor air pollution. Airborne particulates can also come from dirt and dust that is tracked in from outdoors. Particulates can trigger allergies and other respiratory problems in many people.  Installing walk-off mats at doorways and changing air filters regularly are both good strategies to limit these pollutants.

Poor Ventilation

Most of the buildings in which people spend most of their time are tightly sealed and insulated to keep out unconditioned outdoor air. Furthermore, most ventilation systems are designed to bring in very little outdoor air and instead recirculate the indoor air that has already been heated or cooled. While this strategy is effective for minimizing energy costs, it can have a negative impact on indoor air quality.