• Background On Mold
• Toxic Microscopic Molds
• Mold Terms and Definitions

  Wood Decaying Fungi

• MeruliaPORIA incrassata Poria fungi removal testing mold removal info
• Mycotoxins
• What Do Fungi Eat?
• Where Do Fungi Live?
• How Moist Is Too Moist?
• When Do Fungi Threaten Human Health?
• New York State Guidelines On Mold Assessment And Remediation

Within the last couple of years various scientific reports have focused on several potential deadly molds. One in particular is Stachybotrys, a greenish-black fungus that thrives where humidity exceeds fifty (50) %. Some other common indoor molds Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillums, and Alternaria are also toxic. Many Experts have found several fungal species capable of producing toxic substances in water-damaged homes, schools and buildings in West Virginia, these species have also been found in other areas around the nation. This fungus thrives in many areas that have a rainy climate, high humidity, and localized flooding. It is estimated that about 5 percent of all homes nationwide have the deadly Stachybotrys mold and the numbers are increasing rapidly.

Microscopic identification of the spores/colonies requires considerable expertise. These services are not routinely available from commercial laboratories. Documented quality control in the laboratories used for analysis of the bulk/surface and air samples is necessary.

HEALTH EFFECTS;

In general, exposure to mold spores can result in allergic reactions, infections, or toxic (poisonous) effects. These health effects are the result of exposure by skin contact, ingestion, or breathing the mold. Stachybotrys has been studied for a number of years, with most of the early studies done on animals.

People in buildings with active Stachybotrys growth generally experience symptoms that include irritation and watering of the eyes and nose. Coughing and skin irritation are also allergic reactions commonly associated with Stachybotrys exposure.

Animal studies clearly show that Stachybotrys exposure, even in low levels, suppresses the immune system. Anecdotal data clearly supports this immune-suppressive capability in humans. As such, exposed individuals are often susceptible to bacterial and viral infections such as the flu.

The reason that Stachybotrys is of such concern is the medical evidence that has proven that this mold has toxic properties. Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin (i.e., poison from a fungus) named trichothecenes. When inhaled or ingested Stachybotrys can cause:

Sore/hoarse throat
Cold and flu symptoms (headaches, slight fever, and muscle aches)
Nose bleeds
Tingling or burning of nose, mouth, and perspiration areas (under the arms or between the legs)
Chronic fatigue
Dizziness
Nausea/vomiting
Memory loss
Attention deficit/concentration problems
Personality changes such as irritability or depression
Neurological disorders such as tremors
Hair loss
Coughing with blood
Bleeding in the lungs
Damage to internal organs including blood, liver, kidneys, and lungs

Although not supported by definitive studies at this point, there are some concerns about Stachybotrys exposure promoting cancer.

MOST DEADLY MOLDS:

Stachybotrys atra

A genus of molds (Hyphomycetes) characterized by producing "slimy heads" of watered, ellipsoidal, usually black conidia from clusters of inflated phialides. It has high moisture requirement, so it grows where moisture has accumulated from roof or wall leaks, or chronically wet areas from plumbing leaks. This mold has a very low nitrogen requirement, and can grow on water-saturated cellulosic materials such as paper, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpets (especially the jute backings), insulation material (especially cellulose-based insulation), wood-derived building materials and even general debris. Wet paper with greater than 97.0% water content tends to be more toxic. Ill health effects after intense exposures to mycotoxin of Stachybotrys atra or its metabolites includes the following conditions: immunotoxic (higher incidence of infection) dermotoxic (dermatitis, rash) neurotoxic (toxic encephalopathy: headache, memory and verbal problems fatigue, malaise, vertigo, dizziness, depression) enterotoxic (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gallbladder-like-colic pain) vascular (fragile blood vessels and bleeding, nose bleeds, hemorrhagic lung disease, especially in male infants (see Cleveland infant case reports (MMWR, New York Times report, etc). respiratory (Burning-sore throat (laryngitis), irritant cough, exertional shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing (bronchitis and pneumonitis) and respiratory tract ciliary damage (clearing of air ways impaired), bleeding from the lungs (hemoptysis). Possibly co- factor for throat and lung cancers.
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Penicillium
(P.citrinum, P.expansum, P.viridicatum, P.cylopium)

Some Penicillium species are fairly common indoor fungi, even in clean environments. This particular specie of fungi can proliferate in abundance in indoor environments. P. species can be found at the sub-basement levels offices and rooms, in libraries, auditorium, storage room of paper materials and also in ventilation systems. Some P.species can produce small, nondescript conidia and complex mixtures of metabolites that are more or less toxic. Like all other molds, spores have the highest concentrations of mycotoxin, although the vegetative portion of the mold, the mycelium, can also contain the poison. Exposure to the various penicillium toxin can result in the following ill health effects: Patulin, a toxin from P. expansum: cytotoxic and/or carcinogenic. Citrinin, a toxin from P. citrinum, - expansum & - viridicatum: nephrotoxic Ochratoxin, a toxin from P. cyclopium & -viridicatum: nephrotoxic

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Aspergillus

A genus of fungi containing over 100 species of which approximately 15 are commonly encountered in dwellings. Most naturally occurring Aspergilli are toxigenic or allergenic. Among several toxigenic species of this genus, the most important are, A. parasiticus, A. flavus, A. versicolor and A. fumigatus. Aflatoxins are among the most extensively studied mycotoxin. These are more toxic than many known industrial cancer causing substances, acutely toxic to the liver, brain, kidneys and heart, and with chronic exposure, are potent carcinogens of the liver. They are also teratogenic. Symptoms of acute aflatoxicosis are fever, vomiting, coma and convulsions. However, symptoms of exposure that might occur in most moderately contaminated buildings are not fully known, but undoubtedly less severe. The potent toxicity of these agents warrants prudent prevention of exposure when levels of aspergilli indoors exceed outdoor levels by any significant amount. A. fumigatus is more often associated with the infectious lung disease aspergillosis. Aspergillus fumigatus can effect the lungs of immunocompromised individuals, or those with very high exposure levels. The medical condition is called: Aspergillosis. Recent work has found a number of tremorgenic toxins in the conidia of these species. A. ochraceus produces ochratoxins (also produced by some Penicillium ssp). Ochratoxins can damage the kidney and cause renal failure leading possibly to death (medical case report).

The following organisms Could be killed by Hydroxygen Plus:

Aspergillus niger,
Candida albicans,
Escherchia coli,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
and Staphylococcus aureus

Hydroxygen Plus inhibits infectious bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites!

Are you at Mold Risk ?

Do you experience any of these?

Emphysema MRSA ,Scoliosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Blood Pressure , Stress, Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Unhealthy Skin, Aches and Pain, Sports Injuries, Manic Depression, Memory Problems, Suicide, Osteoporosis, Lime disease, Fatigue, High Blood Pressure , Neuropathy, Blood Clots , Systemic Lupus , Pleurisy , Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epilepsy Seizures, HIV , High Cholesterol, Uterine fibroids, Mini strokes, Food poisoning, Panic attack, Cold and Flu, Weak Bladder , Acne problems, Chronic Pain, Dizziness, Depression, Arthritis, Diabetes , Asthma , Congestive Heart Failure , High Blood Pressure , Neuropathy, Blood Clots , Systemic Lupus , Pleurisy , Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epilepsy Seizures…etc

There are Medical Tests available to determine possible symptoms;

No single medical test can pinpoint the level of exposure or body damage caused by Stachybotrys. Proper medical care and professional decision making is necessary to assure that the affected individual is treated properly.

Many physicians believe that the following tests are appropriate in conducting a medical screening for Stachybotrys:

Complete medical exam
Chest x-ray
Pulmonary function test
Complete red and white blood cell count
Blood sedimentation rate
Stachybotrys specific RAST antibody test
Immunoglobulin panel
Immune competence tests

Doctors should also be encouraged to discuss the environmental situation with the industrial hygiene professionals who have conducted sampling in the building in question.

Mold needs to consume something to survive, and it's perfectly happy eating your house if you let it. Some molds and mildews are fond of the cellulose in the paper backing on drywall, insulation and wallpaper. Others have a ravenous appetite for the glues used to bond carpet to its backing. Left unchecked, mold eventually destroys the parts of the drywall, wallpaper and carpet it attacks. But many molds just like to feast on the everyday dust and dirt that gather in the perpetually moist regions of your house.

Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.