Airborne fungi and mold cause numerous health problems.
Molds are fungi that form a fuzzy growth on the surface of organic matter. According to the Environment Protection Agency, any indoor mold growth is potentially hazardous and should be addressed immediately. Molds and other fungi may adversely affect the health of a susceptible individual. Exposure to airborne fungi should be reduced or eliminated if possible. The most vulnerable populations are infants, the elderly, AIDS patients, cancer patients or those suffering from pneumonia or other respiratory illness.
Allergies
Allergy-sensitive individuals are vulnerable to the antigenic proteins produced by most fungi. Allergic reactions to mold can be immediate or delayed as much as six hours in those who are highly allergic to this airborne substance. Mold spores are in the environment year-round (both indoors and outdoors), which makes it almost impossible to escape them. Mold allergy symptoms include sneezing, chronic cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, respiratory problems and skin rashes.
Asthma
Exposure to mold has a major effect on the development and worsening of asthma. Both indoor and outdoor fungal spores can trigger an asthma attack. Asthma sufferers experience difficulty breathing, wheezing and coughing when exposed to mold. Even though there is no guaranteed method of eliminating all mold in the indoor environment, it can be partially controlled by limiting the amount of moisture in the air. Outdoor can cause allergic patients to experience an acute attack when exposed.
Infections
Individuals with compromised immune systems are vulnerable to airborne mold toxins. When inhaled, mold spores start growing in the lungs of susceptible people--causing severe infections to occur. Healthy individuals can also develop common skin diseases and other infections from mold exposure.
Chronic Sinusitis
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus cavity caused by some allergen. In most sinus infections, mold may be the primary trigger. According to a Mayo Clinic study, mold in the environment and in the nose is directly linked to sinus inflammation. The same study also concluded that 93 percent of all chronic sinusitis is caused by mold.
Neurological Probelms
Molds can cause neurological illness in susceptible people such as memory loss, depression and extreme mood swings.
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
Exposure to molds may play a role in the development of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This disease has similar characteristics as bacterial pneumonia and is relatively rare. It may develop in some individuals who have been exposed either short-term or long-term to airborne fungi.
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