Black mold can refer to toxigenic molds, including Stachybotrys chartarum, or any dark-colored molds that appear black, such as Aspergillus and Alternaria strains. Besides forming unsightly colonies, these indoor-growing molds pose health risks for humans with mold allergies. Contrary to highly publicized fears, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that no molds have been conclusively linked to hemorrhage or olfactory damage. The agency further states, however, that substantial indoor mold growth can produce uncomfortable respiratory symptoms in many people, as well as potential lung damage and life-threatening emergencies.
Inflammatory Symptoms
Mold allergies can present health risks even when growths are dispersed and invisible to the human eye. A mild sensitivity or allergic reaction to inhaling mold spores will produce hay fever symptoms such as runny and stuffy nose and sneezing. In addition, itchy, watery eyes and itchy skin rash may occur in moderate cases. These conditions can develop whenever indoor molds reproduce, releasing their spores into the air, to be ingested when humans breathe.
Individuals with true mold allergies will always get these symptoms, no matter the amount of allergens inhaled. Others may only react to high concentrations of visible black mold. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, patients with severe allergies and those at occupational risk may also experience fever, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Lung Infection
This same high-risk groups also have a greater chance of developing infections of the lungs and nasal tract as well as patients who already suffer from bronchial diseases, says the EPA. These people may contract hypersensitivity pneumonitis from continual exposure to high levels of black mold. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis causes fever, chills and respiratory symptoms that include coughing and breathing difficulty. As the University of Maryland Medical Center relates, chronic recurrence of this condition can create permanent lung tissue damage that may lead to chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.
Asthma Attacks
Black mold exposure holds special health risks for asthmatic patients with mold allergies. Those with mold sensitivities can suddenly suffer attacks of life-threatening respiratory symptoms. Moderate asthma reactions include chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath. Severe attacks cause sufficient constriction of the airways to induce respiratory arrest and, without emergency treatment, death.
Young children with asthma and adults with COPD may show more frequent or severe symptoms. Ingestion of S. chartarum allergens may be more likely to trigger asthma problems than other molds due to the effect of mycotoxins on the immune system, the CDC reports.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts About Black Mold
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Health Housing Reference Manual
- Environmental Protection Agency: Mold Resources
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asthma
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