Thursday, March 21, 2024

What Are The Side Effects Of Breathing Black Mold

What Happens When You Inhale Black Mold Spores

Health Effects of Mold Exposure

We live in a moldy world. Like it or not, mold is all around us, both outside and inside. Mold spores exist in practically every indoor environment, and according to the Environmental Protection Agency , eliminating them from indoors completely is impossible.

Like many other fungi and plants, mold spreads by producing spores that travel on the air. Everyone encounters mold spores, and the vast majority of time, they dont trigger adverse health effects. However, it depends on the type of mold spore.

Researchers have long established that Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly called black mold, is capable of harming human health. However, the specific effects of breathing black mold spores depend on several factors, including what those spores carry. If youre concerned about how breathing black mold might affect you, keep reading.

From chemicals and viruses to allergens and molds, a wide variety of contaminants harm indoor air quality. Luckily, you can address all of them by running a high-quality air purifier from Air Oasis. Visit us online to find the perfect air purifier for you.

Effects Of Black Mold

The effects of black mold can be harmful for you and your family, and there are many health problems caused by black mold. The health impact can vary depending on the severity of the mold growth as well as each persons sensitivity to mold. Sometimes mold will begin growing in an unnoticeable place within your home, resulting in a gradual increase of symptoms and other serious health problems as the mold spreads.

What Happens If You Breathe In Mold

Mold is commonly found both indoors and outdoors, and chances are that you breathe it in more often than you realize.

When mold spores make their way into your body, your immune system immediately tries to rid the body of the mold.

Physically, these symptoms could look like coughing or sneezing.

These symptoms could worsen, however, depending on the level of exposure and your sensitivity to mold.

Thankfully, these symptoms typically only last as long as you are exposed to the mold, or if the mold spores stick around in your body.

Everyone reacts differently to mold exposure, and there are several factors that come into play when gauging the severity.

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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a type of lung disease that affects breathing. Smoking tobacco is the main cause of COPD.

People with COPD can develop other conditions that worsen their symptoms, such as obstructive bronchiolitis or emphysema.

Breathing difficulties, including shortness of breath and difficulty exhaling, are the main symptoms of COPD.

Other symptoms may include:

It is vital to see a doctor about COPD. Treatment will primarily involve giving up smoking and avoiding exposure to smoke or other irritants.

In more serious cases, an oxygen tank may be necessary to help support the lungs.

Understanding The Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure

Health Side Effects of Black Mold

Black mold is more than just an unsightly nuisance in your home. When your property is affected by black mold, you and your loved ones could be at risk of developing black mold symptoms. Since black mold spores are highly toxic to humans, prolonged exposure to areas that are contaminated with mold could lead to serious health problems. If you or a loved one are experiencing mold symptoms , you should be sure to set up a mold inspection in San Francisco. To help you decide whether your home is in need of black mold testing, here is a closer look at some of the most

common mold symptoms.

Respiratory Symptoms Respiratory symptoms are among the most common indicators of a reaction to toxic black mold . When a person is sensitive to mold, he or she may develop problems breathing, as well as a continual cough. In certain cases, black mold has also been linked to other serious health issues, such as pulmonary edema and asthma. If you or a loved one is having difficulty breathing in your home, you may have a black mold issue.

Circulatory Symptoms Black mold can affect a persons circulatory system, as well as his or her breathing. Some of the common signs of circulatory issues include low blood pressure, difficulty with blood clotting, or internal bleeding. Since these circulatory problems can potentially become quite serious, it is a very good idea to set up a mold testing appointment at the first sign of black mold in your home.

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Can Air Purifiers Reduce Mold Spores

To really protect yourself from the effects of breathing black mold spores, you have to address it in the air. The best way to reduce and eliminate black mold spores from your indoor air is by running a high-quality air purifier for mold. Not sure where to look? Weve got you covered.

At Air Oasis, we create superior air purifiers by utilizing the top purification technologies: activated carbon filtration, HEPA filtration, UV light and two types of ionization. In a 2018 study, our iAdaptAir® was able to reduce the airborne fungus Aspergillus niger by 99.9% after 10 minutes.

When youre ready to get serious about mold elimination, let our top-of-the-line air purifiers do the heavy lifting. By reducing and eliminating mold spores in the air, our air purifiers can prevent mold from recolonizing and help you to breathe safer. If you have questions about our air purifiers, reach out to us online or give us a call at .

Can Black Mold Cause Respiratory Problems

In a residential setting, people are generally exposed to black mold through breathing in mold spores and mycotoxins. When ingested, mold spores have the potential to cause irritation and a burning sensation in air passages, such as the nasal cavity, mouth, and throat.

Some common symptoms of respiratory issues from black mold exposure include:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Runny, itchy, or stuffy nose
  • Burning sensation of the mouth
  • Bleeding or swelling in the lungs

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Black Mold Is Toxigenic

Certain molds prove toxigenic, which means that they produce mycotoxins that cause ill health effects. A little mold is everywhere, but not all mold is poisonous. That doesnt mean you should ignore mold.

Most are familiar with black mold, which is toxigenic and produces mold spores. These form colonies and grow with other spores. High concentrations of these mycotoxins can cause mold poisoning in healthy people, too.

Mold poisoning is also known as mycotoxicosis. This condition affects the upper respiratory system with harmful cold or flu-like symptoms. Additional symptoms due to mycotoxins can prove fatal. Thats especially true for those with severe allergies, asthma or other conditions.

Green-black mold is also harmful. Its found on paper, dust, lint, fiberboard and other low-nitrogen content materials. It can develop and spread after water leaks, floods and condensation.

Until you know more, treat all molds the same due to the potential long-term side effects and health risks. Take mold growth seriously. You will usually see the mold colony and smell the signature musty smell.

Is Everyone Vulnerable To Mold Exposure

Black Mold: Indoor Air and Health Effects

Sometimes inhaling or touching mold or mildew may have hazardous health effects. But, everyone may not be adversely affected by molds. People who have other allergies or existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, sinusitis, or other lung diseases are more susceptible to the effects of mold exposure. Also, those with an impaired or weakened immune system will have severe reactions to molds.2 Pregnancy, autoimmune disease, AIDS, or diabetes are medical conditions that can weaken your immune system. Infants, small children, and elderly people are also vulnerable to mold contamination.3

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How To Get Rid Of Black Mold

Trying to kill or remove toxic black mold yourself is not advisable. If not handled properly, you could end up disturbing the mold and releasing millions of spores and mycotoxins into the air. This could worsen you indoor air quality and cause damage to your home.

Since black mold is toxic, youre better off contacting a professional mold remediation company with experience in cleaning mold in buildings and homes.

Mold removal specialists will be able to accurately determine the extent of the mold infestation and can suggest the right course of action for your home. If you suspect that your home has black moldthat is, if you can see and/or smell it .

A healthy, mold-free home ensures a healthy, happy family.

What Is The Outlook For People Who Have A Mold Allergy

Mold allergy cant be cured, but it can be managed with efforts to reduce your exposure to mold and with taking suggested medications if needed.

There are certain types of molds that are more dangerous to your health than others. These are molds that emit mycotoxins or cause infections, which can cause serious illness and even death.

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How Black Mold Spores Spread

Stachybotrys chartarum spores dont easily disseminate in the air because their clusters are generally covered with a layer of slime. However, when the clusters dry and are disturbed, spores can become aerosolized, as well as latch on to dust particles. Although black mold grows and spreads more slowly than other molds, research indicates that its aerosolized spores are present in as many as 13% of dwellings.

What About Tiny Mold Toxins Aka Mycotoxins

Health Effects Of Mold

As mentioned above, though the Stachybotrys spores may be sticky and not easily airborne, there are other airborne contaminants to worry about: tiny fragments of mold and special toxins called mycotoxins. These contaminants may cause illness in those who are exposed, with mycotoxins being the most concerning.

You can think about mycotoxins as the molds defense: they are used for protection from environmental threats. Mycotoxins are minute organic compounds as small as 0.03 microns. These tiny molecules can stick to particles already floating through the air. Studies have found Stachybotrys mycotoxins on mold fragments that have broken off from a mold colony after it has been disturbed . This can be harmfulairborne particles less than 1.0 microns are easily breathed into the respiratory system, where they can cause irritation and potential allergic reactions. If this occurs, mycotoxins could accumulate onto local tissue and ultimately enter the bloodstream. The study by Brasel cited above showed that trichothecenes could be measured in the blood of people exposed to an indoor environment that had Stachybotrys.

Stachybotrys creates a class of mycotoxins referred to as trichothecenes. Trichothecenes have been widely studied and have been proven to be detrimental to the health of humans, animals and plants. In fact, trichothecenes have been investigated for the purpose of biological warfare needless to say, they are not something to which you want to be exposed.

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What Happens If You Breathe In Mold & What To Do

Do you suspect mold is growing in your home or on your belongings?

Worried you might be breathing in mold & it might be dangerous to your health?

In this guide, you will learn:

  • The health effects of mold exposure & How much Mold Exposure is Harmful,
  • The Signs and Symptoms of what breathing in mold can do,
  • How to treat mold spores growing in your lungs.

How Can You Tell If Theres Mold In Your Lungs

If your exposure to mold is fairly minimal, chances are you may not even experience any symptoms. For more prolonged cases of exposure, the symptoms are generally recognizable across the board: sneezing, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or discomfort, and shortness of breath are all strong indicators that there are mold spores in your lungs.

The issue here is that all of these symptoms can be found in a variety of illnesses or allergic reactions, so it can be difficult to directly pin down mold exposure as the cause. Pay close attention to your symptoms, as well as when they started and how they change. Make a mental note of when you discovered mold growing around you, how long you were around it and whether or not you had any protection . If you fear at all that there may be mold in your lungs, dont hesitate contact medical professionals and let them know whats going on. Its always better to be safe than sorry.

Mold exposure can potentially cause serious problems, but most healthy people have nothing to worry about aside from some uncomfortable, temporary symptoms. If youre worried about mold in your home, contact your local professional to learn what you can do about it.

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How Black Mold Affects You

Varying levels of symptoms may occur, because some people are more sensitive to the effects of black mold. Within your family, you may have one or two family members that are experiencing severe symptoms, while other people do not seem to be affected.

It is more likely that a person will experience severe symptoms if they fall within any of these categories for higher risk factors related to health problems caused by black mold:

  • Infants and young children.
  • Elderly people.
  • Pre-existing respiratory problems, such as asthma or allergies.
  • Compromised immune system due to medical situations such as HIV, cancer treatments, or medication used for organ transplants patients.

Generally, the symptoms begin small, because the mold problem is minor. Over time, the contaminated area grows, resulting in a higher amount of exposure to the people within the building.

How Can I Check For Mold

Mold side effects | Black Mold | functional medicine| lifestyle medicine

Its best to hire a professional to help you identify and remove mold, especially if youre allergic or vulnerable to it.

You should also consider hiring help if the mold covers more than 10 square feet or if its hidden behind wallpaper, ceiling tiles, or other areas.

Here are some steps for identifying and removing mold.

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What Is Black Mold

Stachybotrys chartarum is a common black mold. It can also be a greenish color. It grows on cotton, wood, and paper products. It sometimes produces toxic chemicals that are found in its airborne spores and fungus fragments.

These are called mycotoxins and are dangerous if they’re eaten. There’s no link to inhaled Stachybotrys chartarum mycotoxins and deadly diseases. But there are risks for people with allergies, asthma, and other hypersensitivities.

There is no evidence that black mold causes symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, an inability to focus, or a headache. These symptoms have been referred to as “toxic mold syndrome” but are largely due to media hype. Yet some people are allergic to mold. It should always be removed from your home.

What Causes Black Mold

Molds are an important part of our environment. They decompose dead plants and animals. All types of mold will grow if the conditions are right. Mold grows and spreads quickly in the right conditions, which include:

  • Moisture level at or over 70%
  • Adequate food source
  • Temperatures that range from 40 to 100 degrees F

Mold can grow anywhere in your house that provides these conditions. The most likely places mold will grow are:

  • Anywhere that there has been a water leak.
  • Damp rooms without adequate ventilation, such as bathrooms.
  • Basements where humidity tends to be higher.
  • Any areas with a lot of water condensation.
  • Any areas where flooding has occurred.

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The Long Term Effects Of Mold: What You Need To Know

Mold, no one wants to find in their home. Whether in a basement, under a sink, or on the wall, mold can appear almost anywhere. At the time of exposure, you may not feel any effects of mold but as time goes by you may start to feel like something isnt right.

The harmful effects of exposure to mold, especially toxic mold, can show up years later after youve remedied the issue or even moved to a new location. Keep reading to learn more about the types of harmful mold, symptoms to look for, and what you can do to prevent it.

The types of mold are numerous, but generally, harmful mold falls into three types:

How Bad Is It To Breathe In Mold

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If the question is how bad? Then the answer would be very bad because molds can cause allergy and infection, especially for the people who are sensitive to them. However, although your immune system is strong, your body may weaken after a certain period.

Although not all of the molds are harmful, some molds can trigger varieties of bad effects after you touched or breathed around them. And the symptoms are from light to the severe ones.

  • Allergies: You can call it as a defense reaction against something bad that is trying to disturb your body. The allergies symptoms can be in the form of cold or flu, coughing, sneezing, itchy and runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, hay fever, skin rash, sinus headache, sinus congestion, and so on.
  • Toxic symptoms: It is worse than allergies. For this case, Stachybotrys chartarum is responsible for it. It can cause a bleeding, damage to the internal organs, mental impairment, cancer, or death .
  • Infections: Your body has a limitation in accepting the toxic mold. For unhealthy individuals , they will get the bad effects immediately. After they inhaled or made contact with the molds, one of the reactions is an infection. The mold spores they inhale will enter the body and begin to grow inside them. The infections can grow in the sinuses, skin, and digestive system.

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