Health
and Mold
The effects of mold exposure have been linked to
allergic reactions such as nasal stuffiness and
eye irritation, asthma, respiratory difficulties,
and skin irritation. More severe reactions, such
as fever and shortness of breath, have occurred
among those exposed to large amounts of molds in
occupational settings. Some people with chronic
respiratory conditions, such as obstructive lung
disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.
EPA's publication entitle
Indoor
Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals
assists
health professionals in determining if symptoms
are related to an indoor air pollution problem.
It addresses the health problems that may be caused
by contaminants encountered daily in the home and
office. This booklet is organized according to pollutant
or pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco
smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building
syndrome. It lists key symptoms caused by exposure
to these pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist
and quick reference summary, and includes suggestions
for remedial action. This booklet was developed
by the American Lung Association, the American Medical
Association, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
and the EPA. EPA Document Reference Number 402-R-94-007,
1994.
Allergic
Reactions
- excerpted from Indoor Air Pollution:
An
Introduction for Health Professionals section on:
Animal Dander, Molds, Dust Mites, Other Biologicals.
\"A
major concern associated with exposure to biological
pollutants is allergic reactions, which range from
rhinitis, nasal congestion, conjunctival inflammation,
and urticaria to asthma. Notable triggers for these
diseases are allergens derived from house dust mites;
other arthropods including cockroaches; pets (cats,
dogs, birds, rodents); molds; and protein-containing
furnishings including feathers, kapok, etc. In occupational
settings, more unusual allergens (e.g., bacterial
enzymes, algae) have caused asthma epidemics. Probably
most proteins of non-human origin can cause asthma
in a subset of any appropriately exposed population.\"
Consult
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website
* CDC's National Center for Environmental Health
(NCEH) has a toll-free telephone number for information
and FAXs, including a list of publications: NCEH
Health Line 1-888-232-6789.
* CDC's \"Molds in the Environment\" Fact
sheet
* Stachybotrys or Stachybotrys atra (chartarum)
and health effects CDC's \"Questions and Answers
on Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds
