What many Americans don't know is that the microscopic molds are growing and infecting millions of homes across the nation. These fungus spores and toxins, known collectively as toxic molds, thrive in areas of a home that are susceptible to plumbing and water leaks, such as under the roof, in drop ceilings, in kitchens and bathrooms, and other dark and damp areas that are not easy to access or maintain.

Once toxic molds take hold in a home, they secrete chemicals known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are mobile, and can spread into other areas of the home, infecting the lungs, brains, and digestive tracts of humans. In some cases, daily exposure to mycotoxins has caused death, but more frequently chronic headaches, nosebleeds, and respiratory problems occur.

Unfortunately, not all types or species of molds have been tested for the presence of mycotoxins. The production of toxins varies according to the type of mold, the substrate on which it grows, and seasons of the year.

There are many symptoms associated with exposure to toxic molds. Symptoms aid ailments include respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections, asthma, head aches, frequent colds, among others. Prolonged exposure to toxic molds also increase the risk of many auto-immune diseases and certain types of cancer.

The effects of molds generally break down into 4 categories that include allergies, infections, irritations, and toxicities.

Allergies
Allergies are probably the most common reaction to contact with molds. Atopic individuals (those who experience allergic reactions that is often hereditary) who are exposed to mold, mold spores, or mold byproducts may manifest allergic reactions once they become vulnerable (sensitized) to the particular mold. The reactions can run the spectrum, from very mild and temporary reactions to acute, chronic illness.

According to The Institute of Medicine:

• 1 in 5 Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis, the most common chronic disease in humans.
• 1 in 9 Americans suffer from allergy-related sinusitis.
• 1 in 10 Americans have allergic-related asthma.
• 1 in 11 Americans experience allergic dermatitis.
• Less than 1 in 100 Americans suffer from serious chronic allergic diseases.

These statistics indicate that allergic reactions are extremely common in humans. Often times, the specific cause of the allergies is in question. Recently, the existence of mold in homes and workplaces has cropped up as a very real possibility as the cause of some of these allergic reactions.

Many different types of molds can put their spores and byproducts into the air, but only a few purified mold allergens are available for allergy tests. Atopic individuals can become sensitized to certain molds, but this may not always be cited by a health care professional as a mold-related allergy. A positive mold allergy test indicates that an individual is susceptible to a specific allergen, but testing negative doesn’t necessarily rule out mold allergy for atopic individuals.

Infections
This type of reaction from indoor mold is fairly rare, occurring primarily in those individuals who are susceptible. Aspergillus types of mold have been known to be pathogenic (a disease producing microorganism). For instance, Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is a fairly weak pathogen thought to cause infections in vulnerable individuals. A. fumigatus is also fairly commonly implicated in ABPA and allergic fungal sinusitis.

Irritations
Fungal exposure can also come from any volatile compounds (VOCs) that a fungi/mold creates through primary or secondary metabolism that then becomes airborne. (Primary metabolic processes are those necessary to sustain the life of an organism.) These volatile compounds may be constantly created as the fungus consumes its food source during the primary metabolic process. VOCs can irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory system.

Fungi that consume certain organic sources can release highly toxic gases. For instance, a fungus that grows on wallpaper often releases toxic gas (arsine) directly from the wallpaper that contains arsenic pigments. Thus, fungi and molds can release dangerous materials when they break down the host material. This can cause mucous membrane irritation in sensitized individuals.

Fungal volatile compounds may impact the "common chemical sense" which senses pungency and responds to it. This sense is primarily associated with the trigeminal nerve. The sensory and motor nerves respond to pungency by trying to hold the breath, discomfort, or through sensations such as itching, burning, and skin crawling. Changes in sensation, swelling of mucous membranes, constriction of respiratory smooth muscle, or dilation of surface blood vessels may be part of fight or flight reactions in response to trigeminal nerve stimulation. Reactions often include a reduced attention level, general disorientation, lowered reflex time, dizziness, etc.

Volatile Compounds found in or around homes can be responsible for mucous membrane irritants. It is thought that fungi can add to the already existing compounds when breaking down certain organic substances. A mold-contaminated building may have a significant contribution from its fungal contaminants that is added to common VOCs -- building materials, paints, plastics and cleaners. VOCs in general can result in symptoms that include lowered attention span, headaches, lack of concentration, and dizziness.

Reaction to Mold Odors
Some individuals have very strong reactions to the smells given off by molds. Among humans, there is a high degree of variation in ability to detect these odors. Certain individuals can detect low levels of VOCs, while others can only detect relatively high levels. Those individuals who are particularly susceptible to mold odors may react with headache, nasal stuffiness, nausea or even vomiting. Asthmatics often exhibit symptoms when exposed to certain odors.

Toxicities
Molds also produce secondary metabolites such as antibiotics and mycotoxins (a poisonous substance produced by a fungus). Sometimes it is possible to isolate antibiotics from the molds themselves in order to utilize some of their properties in fighting infections. Secondary metabolisms are not necessary for maintaining the existence of a mold---either by creating energy or synthesizing structural components, informational molecules or enzymes. They do, however, function to provide molds with advantages over other mold and bacteria and are toxic to certain plant and human cells.

Toxic conditions exist when a human has exposure to these mycotoxins -- either through ingesting mycotoxin-containing mold spores or with skin contact to mold itself. Mycotoxins are nearly all cytotoxic (substances produced by microorganisms that are toxic to individual cells), which disrupt various cellular structures such as membranes, and interrupt important processes, including protein, RNA and DNA synthesis.

Mycotoxins vary in how dangerous they are for humans. Mycotoxins pose a threat to larger organisms not because they are specifically targeting them, but rather because these large organisms inadvertently come across the byproduct of the competing molds all vying for the same ecological niche. Numerous mold types produce mycotoxins, including some found indoors in contaminated homes and office buildings. Another factor that determines the mycotoxins that are produced by specific molds usually depends on the materials or organisms that they grow on.

It used to be thought that dangerous molds were primarily contaminants in foods. This notion is quickly changing. Recently, researchers have become more concerned with multiple mycotoxins that derive from many types of mold spores growing in moist indoor environments. Health effects from exposures to such mold mixtures can differ from those related to single mycotoxins in controlled laboratory exposures. Although it is difficult to predict how exposure to multiple toxigenic molds can affect an individual (they can synergize the effects), the following provides possible poor health effects from mycotoxin exposure to multiple molds indoors.

• Problems with the vascular system. Increased vascular fragility, possibility of hemorrhaging into body tissues. Possible molds include aflatoxin, satratoxin, roridins.
• Problems with digestive system. Diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal hemorrhage, liver effects (such as necrosis and fibrosis). Aflatoxin results in deleterious effects on mucous membranes.
• Problems with respiratory system. Including respiratory distress, and bleeding from the lungs.
• Problems with nervous system. Tremors, lack of coordination, depression, and headaches.
• Problems with cutaneous system. Symptoms include rash, burning sensation, and sloughing of skin.
• Problems with urinary system.
• Problems with reproductive system. Including infertility, changes in reproductive cycles, etc.
• Many mycotoxins can produce changes or a weakening of the immune system.

If you are concerned that you may have a toxic mold problem in your home, you should take steps to investigate the matter immediately through a thorough home inspection. If you discover your home is contaminated by toxic molds, you should also learn what to do to eliminate it.

Time Limits on Filing Suit
Every case has a statute of limitations that will apply. It varies by the type of case and the state where the case is filed. Don't wait until there is trouble or until the end of your case to get a lawyer. Your attorney would prefer to be involved every step of the way, to monitor your case, to guide you, to prevent trouble, and to assist you.

Irwin & Boesen, P.C. represents persons who have been injured as a result of exposure to toxic molds. Please contact us for a free evaluation of your case.