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Q 1. I heard about
toxic molds that grow in homes and other buildings. Should
I be concerned about a serious health risk to me and my
family? |
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A. YES. The biohazards presented by
molds that may contain mycotoxins should be considered the same as
other common molds which can grow in your house. There is always a
little mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. There
are very few case reports that toxic molds (those containing
certain mycotoxins) inside homes can cause unique or rare health
conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case
reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the
toxic mold and these conditions has not been proven. A commonsense
approach should be used for any mold contamination existing inside
buildings and homes. The common health concerns from molds include
hay fever-like allergic symptoms. Certain individuals with chronic
respiratory disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder,
asthma) may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with
immune suppression may be at increased risk for infection from
molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a
qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and
treatment. For the most part, one should take routine measures to
prevent mold growth in the home. Free BIOHAZARD labels from New
Jersey Mold Inspection.
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Q 2. How common is mold,
including Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonym
Stachybotrys atra) in buildings? |
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A.
Molds are very common in buildings and homes and will grow
anywhere indoors where there is moisture. The most common indoor
molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium,
Aspergillus, and Alternaria. We do not have accurate
information about how often Stachybotrys chartarum is found
in buildings and homes. While it is less common than other mold
species, it is not rare.
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Q 3.
How and why are children so susceptible to mold related
illness? |
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A. Children given their years have not had an
opportunity to fully develop their immune systems. Recent studies
indicate a large variety of illnesses associated with mold in recent studies. |
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Q 4. What is
Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys
atra)? |
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A.
Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonym
Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on
material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as
fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Growth occurs
when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity,
water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding.
Constant moisture is required for its growth. It is not necessary,
however, to determine what type of mold you may have.
All molds should be treated the
same with respect to potential health risks and
removal.
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Q 5. Are there any
circumstances where people should vacate a home or other building
because of mold? |
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A.
Absolutely. Although some will tell you these decisions have to be
made individually if you believe you are ill because of exposure
to mold in a building, you should consult your physician to
determine the appropriate action to take. If you are experiencing
discomfort and have a severe reaction we will tell you to leave
such a building until there has been a health
investigation.
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Q 6. Who are the people
who are most at risk for health problems associated with exposure
to mold? |
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A.
Infants are most at risk. Then people with respiratory problems
and allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune
suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to
fungal infections.
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Q 7. How do you know if
you have a mold problem? |
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A.
Large mold infestations can usually be seen or smelled. In most
cases when visiting guests start with an allergic type
reaction that is often wrongfully attributed to a pet cat or
dog. |
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Q 8. Does Stachybotrys
chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) cause acute idiopathic
pulmonary hemorrhage among infants? |
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A.
The 1997 Cleveland cases were attributed to Stachbotrys but that
has since been reconsidered. To date, a possible association
between acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants and
Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) has not
been proved. Further studies are needed to determine what causes
acute idiopathic hemorrhage.
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Q 9. What if my child has
acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage? |
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A.
Parents should ensure that their children get proper medical
treatment.
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Q 10. What are the
potential health effects of mold in buildings and
homes? |
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A.
Mold exposure does not always present a health problem indoors as
it may not be in the active spore producing stage. However some
people are sensitive to molds. These people may experience
symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing
when exposed to molds. Some people may have more severe reactions
to molds. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to
large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers
working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and
shortness of breath. People with chronic illnesses, such as
obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their
lungs.
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Q 11. How do you get the
molds out of buildings, including homes, schools, and places of
employment? |
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A.
In most cases mold can be removed by a thorough cleaning with
bleach and water. If you have an extensive amount of mold and you
do not think you can manage the cleanup on your own, you may want
to contact a professional who has experience in cleaning mold in
buildings and homes.
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Q 12. What should people
to do if they determine they have Stachybotrys chartarum
(Stachybotrys atra) in their buildings or
homes? |
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A.
Mold growing in homes and buildings, whether it is Stachybotrys
chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) or other molds, indicates
that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first
problem that needs to be addressed. Mold can be cleaned off
surfaces with a weak bleach solution. Mold under carpets typically
requires that the carpets be removed. Once mold starts to grow in
insulation or wallboard the only way to deal with the problem is
by removal and replacement. We do not believe that one needs to
take any different precautions with Stachybotrys chartarum
(Stachybotrys atra), than with other molds. In areas where
flooding has occurred, prompt cleaning of walls and other
flood-damaged items with water mixed with chlorine bleach, diluted
10 parts water to 1 part bleach, is necessary to prevent mold
growth. Never mix bleach with ammonia. Moldy items should be
discarded.
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Q 13. How do you keep
mold out of buildings and homes? |
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A.
As part of routine building maintenance, buildings should be
inspected for evidence of water damage and visible mold. The
conditions causing mold (such as water leaks, condensation,
infiltration, or flooding) should be corrected to prevent mold
from growing.
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Specific Recommendations:
- Keep humidity
level in house below 50%.
- Use air
conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
- Be sure the
home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans in kitchen and
bathrooms.
- Use mold
inhibitors which can be added to paints.
- Clean bathroom
with mold-killing products.
- Do not carpet
bathrooms.
- Remove and
replace flooded carpets.
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Q 14. I found mold
growing in my home; how do I test the mold? |
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A
14. Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold
growing in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine
sampling for molds. Current evidence indicates that allergies are
the type of diseases most often associated with molds. Since the
susceptibility of individuals can vary greatly either because of
the amount or type of mold, sampling and culturing are not
reliable in determining your health risk. If you are susceptible
to mold and mold is seen or smelled, there is a potential health
risk; therefore, no matter what type of mold is present, you
should arrange for its removal. Furthermore, reliable sampling for
mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what
is not an acceptable or tolerable quantity of mold have not been
established.
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Q 15. A qualified
environmental lab took samples of the mold in my home and gave me
the results. Can CDC interpret these
results?
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A
15. Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable, or
normal quantity of mold have not been established. If you do
decide to pay for environmental sampling for molds, before the
work starts, you should ask the consultants who will do the work
to establish criteria for interpreting the test results. They
should tell you in advance what they will do or what
recommendations they will make based on the sampling results. The
results of samples taken in your unique situation cannot be
interpreted without physical inspection of the contaminated area
or without considering the building’s characteristics and the
factors that led to the present condition.
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Summary: In summary,
Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) and other
molds may cause health symptoms that are nonspecific. At present there is no
test that proves an association between Stachybotrys chartarum
(Stachybotrys atra) and particular health symptoms.
Individuals with persistent symptoms should see their physician.
However, if Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra) or
other molds are found in a building, prudent practice recommends
that they be removed.
Use the simplest and most expedient method that properly
and safely removes mold. |
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January
2004 : New Jersey Mold Inspection Services
Mold, Your Health
and the Workplace
March 10, 2000 :
MMWR Update: Pulmonary Hemorrhage/Hemosiderosis
Among Infants ---
Cleveland, Ohio,
1993-1996
Report to the CDC Working Group on Pulmonary
Hemorrhage/Hemosiderosis - June 17, 1999
Some additional
information on fungi and fungal diseases at the CDC Web
site:
CDC/NCID Division
of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases: Fungal Diseases
NIOSH publication: HISTOPLASMOSIS: Protecting Workers at Risk
Emerging
Infectious Diseases article: "Emerging Disease Issues and Fungal Pathogens
Associated with HIV Infection" by Neil M. Ampel, M.D.
University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson Veterans Affairs
Medical Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Emerging
Infectious Diseases article: "Coccidioidomycosis: A Reemerging Infectious
Disease" by Theo N. Kirkland, M.D., and Joshua Fierer,
M.D., Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of
California, San Diego School of Medicine and Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Diego, California,
USA
California Department of Health Services
Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet
Mold in My Home:
What Do I Do? July 2001 |
