Mold
Removing Risks to Health
Now we come to obstacles to cure over which we have a measure of control. Mold is the most dangerous of the hazards for a number of reasons, the first being that when vegetative, it is growing at the expense of whatever its food source might be. It may be eating wood or drywall, but it could be inside the body where it feasts on blood cells and tissues. It is seldom diagnosed correctly when inside the body; and proper protocols for recovery are rarely taught in medical schools. So where do we start?
Many properties — homes, schools, offices, concert halls, libraries, and other public buildings — are riddled with mold. Cars, air conditioners and HVAC systems, and probably even tents and restaurants can harbor mold. It is ubiquitous.
What I have seen over the years is that following a major weather event, many roofs have to be replaced; and there is a waiting list because of shortage of contractors. In the meantime, people may be collecting water in buckets, meaning that the attic, walls, carpets, furniture and much more were probably also impacted by the rain. Insurance companies are often quick to agree to replace the roof, but no attention is paid to the rest of the damage. Meanwhile, mold is feasting. It can be dormant, but it becomes active when there is moisture. Despite commercial claims to the contrary, it cannot be destroyed because it is protected by chitin, the same hard substance found in oyster shells. This is good for the planet but not for our health. Stated another way, if it were not for mold, waste would not be decomposed, and we would be up to the gills in rubbish. However, what we do not want is for mold to be active in our bodies, food, or living spaces.
The rule is that if there is mold, one can address it oneself if the area concerned is less than one square foot . . . and if one observes adequate safety precautions. If the roof leaks and the attic is flooded, the ceiling will surely be damaged along with walls, furnishings, and personal belongings. If the impacted area is large, remediation is a job for professionals; and, in most cases, the occupants and pets should vacate the premises while the work is performed. This may mean that if one is renting, the wisest decision would usually be to break the lease and find another place to live. If one owns the property, that is another story and likely to take a lot of effort and funds.
Water intrusion can occur for a number of reasons. There may be a hurricane or tornado, but there could also be deferred maintenance or a design failure. Lots of attention is often placed on clogged gutters, leaky pipes, and condensation due to temperature differences. That moisture may be conspicuous around windows but not perhaps behind bathroom mirrors or headboards. I know many mold victims who found mold behind pictures hanging on the wall behind their beds. Mold can also be found in most pillows that are more than 18 months old. The old world habit of airing bedding was an excellent preventative measure; but these days, most people rely on washers and dryers.
Here in the Pacific Northwest, mold is often found in crawl spaces, many of which are lethal.
How Do Mold Infections Occur
Mold is opportunistic. It has no independent means of movement, but is inherent in organic matter. Infection occurs by inhalation, ingestion, or sometimes open wounds. One person I knew had replaced moldy boards on a porch, and cut his knee which was in direct contact with the mold. He was deathly ill but did not know why until we went over all his actions at the time the symptoms first appeared.
We have all seen moldy food, usually most conspicuous in bread, fruit, and cheese, but almost anything organic can become moldy. Cutting away the visible mold is not generally safe because growth occurs by extending hyphae that may be microscopic but extend well beyond the visible mold. These hyphae are like hollow feeding tubes; and since mold has no stomach, digestion occurs in the hyphae.
When it comes to mold in buildings, the usual avenue of infection is inhalation. This requires that spores are airborne which is why proper maintenance of ventilation, heating, and cooling systems is important . . . and why protective gear, including serious respirators, is necessary when remediating a property.
General Comments
Not everyone is allergic to mold. In fact, only 25% of people are allergic, but absence of sneezing and other complaints is not proof of lack of infection. In general, the most damaging response to mold is thinking that the infection will somehow self-correct . . . or that next week, one might have enough stamina to tackle the challenges.
Neither property damage or infections will disappear without proper action so overcoming inertia is the first step. Sometimes, outside help is needed. Getting away from the mold may feel like a healthy reprieve; but regardless of the euphoria, the mold will need to be addressed . . . even if one moves to a safer place.
There are all kinds of mold “specialists” but my experience is that cure will take concerted effort, and this is what I will address in the next post.
Copyright by Dr. Ingrid Naiman 2024 || All Rights Reserved
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Image Credit:
Aspergillus: Designua | Dreamstime.com