Mold has certainly made its way into people’s homes as well as the headlines recently. Many people still don’t fully understand the health hazards of fungal exposure. The term toxic mold is somewhat misleading as it exudes an idea that certain molds are toxic, when actually certain types of molds produce secondary metabolites that produce toxins. The correct term is mycotoxins. Airborne mycotoxins from mold can definitely destroy one’s health. Sometimes, people are unaware that they are breathing mold spores and mycotoxins until they are very sick.
Certain people have a minor allergic reactions to the non-toxic mold, but once you leave the affected area they most likely recover with few serious side effects. However, if they have been exposed to the dangerous molds such as Stachybotrysious there are many symptoms and illnesses that can cause serious health problems such as chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, mental deficiencies, heart problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple chemical sensitivity, bleeding lungs and much more.
Unfortunately, the government has failed to establish guidelines that determine unhealthy amounts of poor indoor air quality. This is the main reason why so many people are confused about the damage mold can cause. As most know, many molds can cause allergens that can affect some of the population, but some molds can also cause toxins, which can affect every person, depending on the length of exposure. Approximately 25 million Americans suffer from allergic reactions to molds yet most of them don’t even realize that when they’re sneezing and sniffling the cause could be from fungi.
Molds can produce airborne toxins that may cause serious symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, memory and hearing loss, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, and acid reflux. Common ailments from toxigenic mold—including allergies (hypersensitivity after initial toxicity), and excessive bruising— usually can be treated and reduced after people leave their contaminated environment. Often medication, diet, and other treatment protocols are necessary. But other health problems may remain permanently, such as brain damage and weakened immune systems. Eyesight, memory, coordination, balance, and hearing are generally the most common residual effects that often do not improve after treatment in most cases.