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Mold Facts
Q.
What is mold?
A.
There are thousands of types of molds and yeast, the two groups of plants in the fungus family. Yeasts are single cells that divide to form clusters. Molds consist of many cells that grow as branching threads called hyphae. Although both groups can probably cause allergic reactions, only a small number of molds are widely recognized offenders.
The seeds or reproductive particles of fungi are called spores. They differ in size, shape, and color among species. Each spore that germinates can give rise to new mold growth, which in turn can produce millions of spores.
Q.
What is mold allergy?
A.
When inhaled, microscopic fungal spores or, sometimes, fragments of fungi may cause allergic rhinitis. Because they are so small, mold spores may evade the protective mechanisms of the nose and upper respiratory tract to reach the lungs.
In a small number of people, symptoms of mold allergy may be brought on or worsened by eating certain foods, such as cheeses, processed with fungi. Occasionally, mushrooms, dried fruits, and foods containing yeast, soy sauce, or vinegar will produce allergic symptoms. There is no known relationship, however, between a respiratory allergy to the mold Penicillin and an allergy to the drug penicillin, made from the mold.
Q.
Where do molds grow?
A.
Molds can be found wherever there is moisture, oxygen, and a source of the few other chemicals they need. In the fall they grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, especially in moist, shady areas. In gardens, they can be found in compost piles and on certain grasses and weeds. Some molds attach to grains such as wheat, oats, barley, and corn, making farms, grain bins, and silos likely places to find mold.
Hot spots of mold growth in the home include damp basements and closets, bathrooms (especially shower stalls), places where fresh food is stored, refrigerator drip trays, house plants, air conditioners, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and old foam rubber pillows.
Bakeries, breweries, barns, dairies, and greenhouses are favorite places for molds to grow. Loggers, mill workers, carpenters, furniture repairers, and upholsterers often work in moldy environments.
Q.
Which molds are allergenic?
A.
Like pollens, mold spores are important airborne allergens only if they are abundant, easily carried by air currents, and allergenic in their chemical makeup. Found almost everywhere, mold spores in some areas are so numerous they often outnumber the pollens in the air. Fortunately, however, only a few dozen different types are significant allergens.
In general, Alternaria and Cladosporium (Hormodendrum) are the molds most commonly found both indoors and outdoors throughout the United States. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aureobasidium (Pullularia) are also common.
Q.
Are mold counts helpful?
A.
Similar to pollen counts, mold counts may suggest the types and relative quantities of fungi present at a certain time and place. For several reasons, however, these counts probably cannot be used as a constant guide for daily activities. One reason is that the number and types of spores actually present in the mold count may have changed considerably in 24 hours because weather and spore dispersal are directly related. Many of the common allergenic molds are of the dry spore type -- they release their spores during dry, windy weather. Other fungi need high humidity, fog, or dew to release their spores. Although rain washes many larger spores out of the air, it also causes some smaller spores to be shot into the air.
In addition to the effect of day-to-day weather changes on mold counts, spore populations may also differ between day and night. Day favors dispersal by dry spore types and night favors wet spore types.
Q.
Are there other mold-related disorders?
A.
Fungi or microorganisms related to them may cause other health problems similar to allergic diseases. Some kinds of Aspergillus may cause several different illnesses, including both infections and allergy. These fungi may lodge in the airways or a distant part of the lung and grow until they form a compact sphere known as a "fungus ball." In people with lung damage or serious underlying illnesses, Aspergillus may grasp the opportunity to invade the lungs or the whole body.
In some individuals, exposure to these fungi also can lead to asthma or to a lung disease resembling severe inflammatory asthma called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This latter condition, which occurs only in a minority of people with asthma, is characterized by wheezing, low-grade fever, and coughing up of brown-flecked masses or mucus plugs. Skin testing, blood tests, X-rays, and examination of the sputum for fungi can help establish the diagnosis. Corticosteroid drugs are usually effective in treating this reaction; immunotherapy (allergy shots) are not helpful.
Ions and Ozone
Ionizers and S.A.D. - Seasonal Affective Disorder
Q. Are negative ions harmful?
A. There are no known harmful effects from ionization. Negative ions are found in large quantities around waterfalls, ocean waves, and in thunderstorms, all of which are soothing.
Q. How does nature produce ozone?
A. Ozone is created electrically during active thunderstorms. The electrical discharge creates a sweet smell that we all know as fresh air. Ozone is also created by nitrogen oxides and ultraviolet rays from the sun.
Q. Is ozone safe?
A. Yes, but as with anything, moderation is the key. Ozone in very high concentrations can be irritating to mucous membranes and the respiratory system. The SpringAir produces safe and moderate amounts of ozone, but we recommend you set the square feet dial properly.
Q. What is an ozone alert?
A. Ozone is used as a indicator of pollution. Ozone alerts in cities are a result of high pollution levels of hydrocarbons, produced by the burning of fossil fuels. When ultraviolet rays from the sun strike the hydrocarbons, O3 is one of the byproducts. Ozone is more easily detected and is used as a reference point for the level of pollution.
Q. How severe a health problem is air contamination in the U.S.?
A. Every year some 64,000 people die prematurely from diseases linked to particulate pollution, according to an analysis of the National Resource Defense Council. According to the American Lung Association, more than 92 million people live in areas where air quality does not meet standards.
Q.
What high risk groups should be particularly concerned in protecting their air from harmful contaminants?
A.
Groups most at risk from pollution related illnesses are young children, especially asthmatics, and elderly people with respiratory conditions, such as chronic pulmonary diseases. Over the past 20 years, the number of asthmatics has increased from 6.8 million in 1980 to more than 15 million today. Environmental factors are the most likely explanation in the recent rise in asthma. Increased ozone and particulate levels in the outdoor air are beyond an individual’s control. However, most exposures are in the home environment. Cleaning agents, detergents, out-gassing of formal-dehyde from carpets and building materials trigger and aggravate respiratory conditions.
Q.
What contaminants in indoor air in the home cause health problems?
A.
There are over 240 chemical contaminants that have been found in homes and offices. Sources of contamination are: out-gassing of chemicals from carpets, furniture and construction materials.
Q.
What contaminants in indoor air in an office cause health problems?
A.
In the office environment, out-gassing from copy machine toner, inks, computers and smoke from other parts of the building can cause health problems. Bacteria such as Legionella found in air conditioning cooling towers can cause respiratory and environmental disease.
Q.
What are some of the symptoms of indoor air quality problems such as Sick Building Syndrome?
A. Some
of the commons symptoms are:
- Burning and itching eyes
- High instance of respiratory infection
- Headaches
- Increased sneezing and coughing
- Nausea
- Multiple chemical sensitivities
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