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*Note we will be using both the British (mould) and American (mold) spelling throughout this article.
If you live in a coastal area, chances are you've had to deal with mould at some point or another. But what is this pesky fungus, and why is it so bad for our health? In this article, we'll explore the dangers of mould, why it's so prevalent in homes and the number 1 way to combat mould toxicity and protect your health from these nasty fungus spores.
You may have heard of mould before, but what is it, really? Well, mould is a type of fungus that grows in warm, damp, and humid environments and is often found in basements, bathrooms, or kitchens. While some types of mould are harmless, others can be very dangerous to your health. Let's explore what mould is, how to identify it, and why you should avoid it.
Mould is a dust-like type of fungus that is made up of spores. These mold spores float through the air and spread. Once they land in wet or moist areas, they begin to grow.
Mould thrives in Australian homes because of the warm weather and high humidity levels, which provides the perfect environment for moldy surfaces. Coupled with excessive moisture from heavy downpours or flooding, without adequate ventilation, creates the ideal habitat for mold.
If you suspect mold growth in your home, it's important to act quickly. Left unchecked, mould can cause serious damage to your property and pose a serious risk to your health.
While mould is a common household nuisance, it can also pose serious health risks, especially for young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions like asthma and lung disease, or those with weakened immune systems. Here's what you need to know to be able to identify mold growth in your home.
According to Forbes, 3%-10% of the total population have mold allergies. Suspect mould contamination will cause mold allergies to worsen. Mold allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on one's exposure to mold and previous health risks.
Mild allergy symptoms include an itchy or stuffy nose, skin rashes, wheezing and even headaches. If, however, mold toxicity is high, mould infection can cause very severe symptoms such as anaphylaxes, fever, fibrosis, respiratory diseases and asthma symptoms attacks.
One of the most common signs of mould is its unsanitary musty smell. If you notice a persistent musty odour in your home that worsens over time, it could be a type of mold. The musty smell is caused by inhaling mould spores - most likely toxic substances.
Ensuring a room is properly ventilated with open windows, exhaust fans or an air conditioner may not fix the problem if there has been sufficient moisture over long periods of time and you have noticed the smell become progressively worse.
Mould often appears as spots or clusters of growth on surfaces with poor ventilation, like inside walls, ceilings, insulation material and hard surfaces like tiles or wood. Different colours of mould exist, including black mold (the worst for your health), white, green, yellow, or brown.
In some instances, you may be able to control mold growth before it becomes unmanageable with proper cross-ventilation, cleaning products (beware not to mix bleach with household cleaners), and a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter vacuum cleaner.
As we've mentioned throughout, there are several potential causes of mold growth in homes. Primarily moisture-damaged surfaces, dark and high humidity areas, poorly ventilated zones and old food sources.
If you are unsure, professionals can provide specialist mould testing where they may take dust samples of spores for examination. If you have a combination of these warning signs, chances are there is exposure to mold.
Not all mould is as toxic to human health as others. The reason for this is that some mold is "toxigenic" - meaning they produce mycotoxins. It is these mycotoxins that cause mold-related illnesses and severe health problems. Different types of mold species include:
Aspergillus is a type of mold that is very common both indoors and outdoors, and produces harmful mycotoxins. It is found in soil, decaying vegetation, and stored food products. Most people breathe in fungal spores every day without any problems.
However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body. There are approximately 180 species of Aspergillus, but fewer than 40 of them are known to cause infections in humans. The most common species that causes human infections is A. fumigatus. Other common species include A. flavus, A. terreus, and A. niger.
Cladosporium is a type of mold that is common in areas with humidity, moisture, and water damage. The spores from this mold can be airborne, which is how it spreads.
This type of mold produces mycotoxins and can cause some allergy symptoms if the person around the mold is allergic. Cladosporium is not known to have toxic effects on human health, but it can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with odours.
One specific attribute of Penicillium mold is that it produces a mycotoxin called patulin. This toxin can be harmful to humans, potentially causing nasal allergies and asthma.
Additionally, Penicillium mold is commonly found in the environment, growing on various types of vegetation, decaying materials and foods. It can also be found indoors, often in moist environments such as basements and bathrooms.
Stachybotrys chartarum (black mould) is a greenish-black mold that has garnered a great deal of attention in recent years as a possible cause of adverse health effects. This mold thrives in environments that are moist and have a high cellulose content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, and paper.
Black mold exposure can cause respiratory problems such as nasal irritation, burning and congestion, cough, wheezing, chest tightness and dyspnea, as well as central nervous system issues like headache, irritability, lightheadedness, sleeping difficulty, concentration problems and mental fatigue. Alopecia, rashes, eye irritation and similar symptoms have been reported from black mold exposure.
If you have a mold allergy or you are at risk of severe mold injury - like people with weakened immune systems, chronic lung diseases, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), transplant patients, and fungal infections - mold toxicity should be taken extremely seriously.
Depending on the severity of your exposure, you may need to receive medical treatment. In addition, there are a number of things you can do at home to detox your body from mold poisoning.
A specific blood sample will be able to check certain white-blood cells to see if you have a mold allergy and check on your immune system response.
A GP will be able to help diagnose allergic reactions or symptoms of asthma development - and medical guidance is advised as they may prompt you to take allergy shots.
Like any detox, it is just as important to prevent the exposure of toxins as it is to remove them. Either remove mold or remove yourself from the mold environment. In extreme cases, use an occupational hygienist.
If doing it yourself, wear protective clothing (such as rubber boots and gloves). You must also prevent mould from growing. Remove any excess moisture or indoor humidity, and limited the use of unflued gas heaters. Ensure that you fix leaky plumbing and check ceiling tiles as these can easily be overlooked.
Drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and get plenty of rest. You may also want to consider taking supplements such as vitamin C or glutathione, which can help to boost your immune system. Glutathione is an antioxidant that is made up of amino acids and its job is to detoxify free radicals and toxins.
This is especially important for people with weakened immune to begin with. The body is able to make glutathione in the liver, but low levels have been associated with several medical conditions. Foods high in glutathione are spinach, avocados, asparagus, and okra. There are certain low-mould diets available online that we recommend you follow.
Gut health is key for detox because it helps to remove toxins from the body. The gut lining absorbs the toxins and moves them through the gastrointestinal tract. This is where binders come in.
They help to attract and bind to the toxins, which then move through the gut and are eliminated from the body. Binders can be prescription or nonprescription, depending on the specific product. Activated charcoal and bentonite clay are two types of nonprescription binders that may be recommended.
Detoxing your body from mold poisoning can be a challenge, but it's important to take action as soon as possible to protect your health. The greatest tool for detoxing your body and getting rid of symptoms like a mold allergy or mold exposure is an infrared sauna.
Not only does an infrared sauna detox you, but it also de-stresses and alleviates a wide variety of associated health problems.
We've written a previous article on how infrared saunas detoxify the human body and below you can find a wide variety of infrared sauna protocols that you can use:
When it comes to toxic mould, diet can play an important role in both preventing and fighting exposure.
There are a variety of foods that can help to fight against mould toxicity, including:
By including these foods in your diet, you can help to protect yourself from toxic mold exposure and prevent the symptoms of a mold allergy.
Mould growth and mould exposure are common in many homes around Australia, and new developments on its adverse effects on the human body are coming to light.
While there are still very few reports on effective mold treatments available - ensuring a mold free environment and detoxification are the best ways to combat any symptoms. If you would like to learn more about the best home infrared saunas for detoxification, take a look at our 2-person infrared saunas or contact us directly.
Clearlight would like to remind users that this should not be taken as direct medical advice, and you should always consult a licensed health practitioner before making any significant changes to your lifestyle or existing pain treatment regimen.
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