Health Effects From Mold in Your Home or Work

Health effects generally fall into four categories. These four categories are allergy, infection, irritation and toxicity.

Inhaling or touching mold/mold spores can cause allergic reactions in individuals and can be very toxic. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, skin rash or dermatitis. Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. Mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.

Modern building techniques contribute to mold problems, especially in the United States. It's been increasing during the past 30 years, fueled by energy consciousness. In general, many buildings are sealed to prevent inefficient air leaks.

Adverse Reactions to Odor

Odors produced by molds may also adversely affect some individuals. Ability to perceive odors and respond to them widely varies among people. Some individuals can detect extremely low concentrations of volatile compounds, while others require high levels for perception. An analogy to music may give perspective to odor response. What is beautiful music to one individual is unbearable noise to another. Some people derive enjoyment from odors of all kinds. Others may respond with headache, nasal stuffiness, nausea or even vomiting to certain odors including various perfumes, cigarette smoke, diesel exhaust or moldy odors.