| As molds are omnipresent, it's indeed difficult to avoid | | | | People with healthy immune system are not vulnerable |
| exposure to molds. Molds, mildews, fungus and injurious | | | | to such infections. However, those with compromised |
| microscopic organisms are everywhere. Like all other | | | | immune system suffer a lot as they have lesser ability |
| members of ecosystem, molds and mildews are vital | | | | to fight against infections. Hence, immunocompromised |
| for maintaining environmental balance. By decomposing | | | | people need better protection against black mold and |
| organic matters into simple hydrocarbons they continue | | | | mildews. |
| the carbon and energy circulation through out the food | | | | Diseases like AIDS, cancer fall under this category. HIV |
| chain. Earth without molds, fungi and other such | | | | does a lot of harm to immune system. Chemotherapy, |
| organisms would become hard to live. | | | | immunosuppressive drugs also lead to impaired |
| Mold bodies do not contain chlorophyll. They depend on | | | | immune system. People undergoing similar treatment |
| dead organic matters for food. While collecting nutrition | | | | need special care and should avoid mold infection at |
| they decompose complex organic matters into simple | | | | any cost. |
| form of hydrocarbons. Thus they perform their own | | | | Toxic Effects: |
| quota of responsibility for the ecosystem. | | | | Molds and mildews produce both volatile and |
| But, when these molds contaminate indoor | | | | non-volatile compounds which cause the environment |
| environment they become troublesome. Being primitive | | | | toxic. The musty odor observed at the place of mold |
| organism, molds and mildews reproduce by releasing | | | | contamination is due to these compounds. Such |
| spores. High density of mold spores in air leads to | | | | compounds produced by foodborne molds cause the |
| health problems. Apart from this, some toxic black | | | | unpleasant taste and smell in contaminated foods. |
| molds produce mycotoxins which are injurious for | | | | Mycotoxins, non-volatile compound, are produced by |
| human health. Molds, mold spores and mycotoxins | | | | molds during their metabolism. Mycotoxins spread |
| create severe health issues. | | | | through out the mold colony including the substrate on |
| Allergic Reactions: | | | | which it has grown. Spores released from toxic mold |
| Molds, spores, hyphal and mycelial sections are | | | | colonies, fragments of toxic black mold when |
| allergens, i.e., human body shows allergic responses to | | | | aerosolized, chances of toxic infection become higher. |
| these components. Like any other antigen, when mold | | | | Among various reactions of mycotoxins, flu like |
| spores, hyphal or, mycelial parts enter into our system; | | | | symptoms, throat irritation, headache, diarrhea, fatigue, |
| the body releases antibodies to protect the infection. | | | | cough, dermatitis and skin rash, malfunctioning of |
| Not all people react to molds and mold spores. Also, | | | | immune system are few to name. |
| the amount of mold fragment that causes allergy is | | | | Preventive measures: |
| not fixed for all. Some people are hypersensitive to | | | | Black mold and mildews cannot grow without moisture. |
| foreign particles. Even some subjects are allergic to | | | | Keeping building environment dry prevents indoor mold |
| pollens too. Oversensitive people should always try to | | | | growth. However, if they grow anyway, remove molds |
| avoid exposure to molds. Symptoms of mold allergy | | | | with natural cleaning products. |
| are watery eyes, puffing around eyes, irritation of | | | | All people are not allergic to molds. Those who are |
| throat, runny noses, extreme coughing and sneezing, | | | | hypersensitive should carefully avoid exposure to |
| asthma and more. | | | | molds. Keeping home, office and other indoor |
| Some molds may lead to skin rashes and dermal | | | | environments clean and dry helps to prevent mold |
| infections. Dry skin, feet, nails are prone to such molds. | | | | growth. |
| Opportunistic Infections: | | | | |