The Facts About Mold Exposure After Flooding

 

October marked the one-year anniversary of the historic “1,000-year flood” caused by more than two feet of rain that fell across large parts of South Carolina’s Midlands and Lowcountry. In a twist of fate, the one-year anniversary coincided with the arrival of Hurricane Matthew, which unleashed its fury on much of the Southeast coast with heavy winds, rain and storm surge. Both October weather events caused tremendous damage and, tragically, loss of life. While some homes are more flood-prone than others, just about all homes are at risk of water damage from either indoor water sources and/or the results of heavy rainfall.

Please read the following carefully so that indoor water problems do not become financial, emotional or health disasters. 

•    Mold (fungi), mold spores and their particulates as well as poisons that off-gas from mold (called mycotoxins) can be very dangerous, especially to people with allergies or weakened immune systems. Like pollen, mold spores are inhaled and often colonize in the sinuses. It is now known that each spore can contain anywhere from 250 to 500 smaller particles that become the vehicle through which mycotoxins enter the body. 

•    Fungi, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, Cladosporium and Alternaria, are commonly found indoors at levels capable of causing adverse health effects after flooding or heavy rainfall, such as occurred last year and the year before. 

•    Mold exposure can cause adverse health effects by three mechanisms: infection, allergy and toxic effects from mycotoxins. Mold exposure is associated with about 96 percent of all chronic sinusitis patients and about 93 percent of chronic fatigue patients.

As explained in the article “Explosion of Mold Cases in Homes, Workplaces and Occupational Medicine Practice” (see reference on facing page), 48 patients heavily exposed to mold were examined and found to have the following health problems:

1. Muscle and joint pain (71%)

2. Fatigue and weakness (70%)

3. Neurocognitive dysfunction (67%)—such as worsening memory and concentration

4. Sinusitis (65%)

5. Headaches (65%)

6. Gastrointestinal problems (58%)—such as nausea and vomiting

7. Shortness of breath (54%)

8. Anxiety/depression/irritability (54%)

9. Chest tightness (42%)

10. Insomnia (40%)

11. Dizziness (38%)

12. Numbness/tingling (35%)

13. Laryngitis (35%)

14. Tremors (25%)

15. Heart palpitations (21%)

 

The point is that every system in the body can be adversely affected by mold exposure.

After a known or suspected mold exposure, evaluation by a specialist properly trained to diagnosis and treat mold toxicity, such as an environmental medicine physician, should be consulted. A comprehensive health history and physical examination, along with appropriate laboratory testing, are required to arrive at a definitive diagnosis and to formulate the most effective treatment plan. 

 

Testing can include:

1. Mold and mycotoxin antibody levels

2. Autoimmune markers

3. Allergy testing for molds

Treatment for mold exposure and mold toxicity is individualized and might include anti-fungal medicines, allergy/immunotherapy, nutritional/herbal supplementation, intravenous vitamin and mineral supplementation, and a formal program of biodetoxification. Treatment is designed to reduce the total toxic load of a patient, including chemical, biological and social/psychological stressors. 

The best way to avoid mold exposure is to prevent water or moisture intrusion, as mold will not grow heavily indoors in the absence of moisture. Indoor water problems, such as a leaky pipe, should be fixed, and wood floors and carpets should be dried within 24 hours to prevent mold buildup.  p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 12.0px; font: 11.0px Interstate} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 12.0px; font: 11.0px Interstate; min-height: 12.0px} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre}

If one must enter a potentially moldy environment, he or she should wear protective gear.

1.    First, the nose, mouth and eyes should be protected with a tight-fitting respirator mask.

2.    Gloves should be worn.

3.    Mold-exposed clothing or shoes should not enter a mold-free environment, as mold spores are quite small and can cling to porous materials. One should take a shower and wash his or her hair immediately afterward.

4.    A hazmat suit might be useful for a person particularly susceptible to mold.

For large mold clean up jobs (mold growth covering more than 10 square feet), it is highly recommend that a professional company specializing in mold remediation be contacted. In the event one does attempt any personal remediation, the use of products with concrobium are recommended to clean mold in a home or building. Do not use chlorine bleach.

One should use grapefruit seed extract liquid when washing the skin or clothes.

Do not take moisture intrusions and mold lightly. Wood furniture can be cleaned, but upholstered furniture and mattresses should be thrown out to avoid mold spores that are present on their surfaces from colonizing previously remediated areas. 

One should pay attention to the body’s signs and symptoms, especially memory, concentration and behavior. If changes develop, a physician should be consulted immediately. Long-term exposure to mold in general, and short-term exposure by individuals with weaker immune systems, previous exposures, or severe allergies can result in serious health problems. 

References:

Curtis L, Lieberman A, Stark M, Rea M, Vetter M. “Adverse Health Effects of Indoor Molds.” Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (Sept 2004) 14(3) 261-274.

Lieberman, A. “Explosion of Mold Cases in Homes, Workplaces and Occupational Medicine Practices.” Presented at the 21st Annual Symposium on Man and His Environment in Health and Disease, Dallas, Texas, 19-22 June 2003.

Liebowitz, R, Waltzman M, Jacobs J, Pearlman A, Tierro P. “Isolation of Fungi by Standard Laboratory Methods in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis.” Laryngoscope 2002; 112(12):2189-91.

Vodjani A, Campbell A, Kashanian A, Vodjani E. “Antibodies Against Molds and Mycotoxins Following Exposure to Toxigenic Fungi in Water-Damaged Buildings.” Archives of Environmental Health 2003; 58(^):324-36.

Vodjani, A, Thrasher J, Madison M, Gray M, Heuser G, Campbell A. “Antibodies to Molds and Satratoxin in Individuals in a Water-Damaged Building.” Archives of Environmental Health 2003; 58(7):421-32. 

Vodjani, A. “Health Effects and Immunotoxicology of Toxigenic Molds and Mycotoxins.” Presented at the 21st International Symposium of Man and His Environment in Health and Disease, Dallas, Texas, 20 June 2003.

Drs. Lieberman, Weirs and Herbert are specialists trained in environmental medicine. The Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine has been treating patients for allergies and mold exposure/mold toxicity for more than 40 years. For more information, call 843-572-1600 or visit coem.com.