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STACHYBOYTRS CHARTARUM (atra)
Toxic mold appears to be gaining a great deal of public exposure as more individuals are coming forward with not only their symptoms but theirs concerns. It is fast becoming one of Canada's most notible indoor, air compromising, environmental issue today to affect public health and safety. It has also earned a place on the list of "environmental toxins" for it's ability to create toxic by-products causing and creating illness and/or complicating exiting illnesses. It's name is "Stachyboytrs Chartarum". But this greenish black, microscopic intruder may not be alone in it's endevor to reap havoc in our bodies. Other fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Alternaria can accompany it and in some cases, alone or in combination can significantly amplify the potential for even greater health risks. It is equally wise to note that Aspergillus and Penicillium are known pathogenic (meaning causing and capable of causing disease. Stachyboytrs itself has been linked to tumors.
Stachyboytrs Chartarum is one of the foremost fungi invading our homes, workplace, hospitals, and schools. If the right conditions exist, it can reproduce itself by the thousands within a forty-eight hour period of time. Because it enjoys a warm, dark and moist environment, add a touch of leaking, a flood or two, poor ventilation and the lack of knowledge in how to properly attend to these situations and the formation of an environment suited to mold growth is created. This toxic menace can also lay dormant for several years before rearing it's ugly head. Just imagine how it would enjoy feeding off your body, consider thousands of it's toxic spores invading your lungs - a dark, moist and nutrient rich environment where it could sustain it's life while adversely affecting yours - causing breathing difficulties, chest tightening, coughing, asthma etc. Then imagine a combination of these toxic molds, invading your body and major organs, causing system breakdowns resulting in diseases of the heart, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys etc. When considering any form of toxin, it would be wise to educate yourself on it's potential to cause or create illness(s). Unlike cigarette packages, toxic mold does not come with a warning label.
Not so widely knows is the fact that mold spores can also become air-borne, classifying them as "bioaerosol" contaminants. This means that they not only have the potential of contaminating their immediate area, but can also branch out to contaminate the surrounding areas as well. Aspergillus and Penicillium are among the list of bioaerosol contaminant molds - leaving humans at a greater risk from their potentially pathogenic (causing or capable of causing disease) and carcinogenic (cancer causing) affects when these two are also found in higher concentrations indoors than out. They don't even have to be in substantially higher concentrations, any level indoors can create potential health risks.
Stachyboytrs Chartarum equally has the potential to become a bioaerosol contaminant as it's live or dead spores can become attached to your every day indoor dust particles. This toxic menance then has the means to find new spawning grounds and/or contaminat other areas. And did you know that the dead spores are just as toxic as the live ones - this presents even more serious issues when considering overall contamination, and greatly amplifies the potential for health related illnesses; especially for those with existing or underlying health problems. This particular type of fungi has been documented to cause lesions of the brain - and if one colony is left behind during a remediation process it has the potential to re-populate and spread just it had before. Keep in mind that a single colony can fit on the head of a pin so just imagine how easily these could be missed during a basic remediation process.
Stachyboytrs Chartarum is rapidly surfacing in a substantial amount of buildings. Although this fungi is nothing new to environmentalists, to everyday folks, this slimy black, microscopic fungi can unknowingly be hidden beneath your floors, inside your walls, ceilings, attics and basements. Where ever there is excess moisture, warmth and cellulous rich materials; such as drywall, ceiling tiles, tub-surrounds, floor boards, insulation backing and wallpaper, just to mention a few, it can create a potential environment for this fungi and others. With these moisture laiden, cellulos rich materials, this fungi has the essential nutrients it needs to reproduce. Once attached to it's building host, this fungi secretes enzymes, which aids in the digestion of the materials. Once digested, the fungi then produces a metobolic by-product called "mycotoxins". These mycotoxins can cause potential health risks to humans and are considered to be immonsuppressive (suppressing the immune system response) and toxinogenic.(poisonous).
"Mycotoxins" can create mild to severe reactions in humans because of their toxic composition. The mycotoxins produced by this fungi, when inhaled, ingested or in physical contact with, can create a multitude of symptoms and health related illnesses. But just as equally and perhaps more important for some inidividuals, is their potential to amplify and add to any already existing/underlying medical condition. Please refer to our Health site for more information.
The affects of Stachybotyrs Chartarum have actually been noted as similar to those found in Alzheimer patients as it has been documented to have a profound affect on the brain and other major organs.
This toxic mold is reported to cause brain cell damage and pulmonary disease (lung disease). Among the many symptoms associated with exposure to Stachyboytrs Chartarum, the following may present themselves at the top of the list, memory loss, inability to concentrate or focus, serious breathing difficulties and digestive problems.
It is believed by many researchers, that environmental conditions can be linked to Alzheimer Disease and as such it would be highly advisable that any individual suffering from this disease should be living in a "mold-free" environment as the cause and affect of continued exposure may greatly amplify existing symptoms and conditions.
Asthma, another chronic disease, has been duly documented to become worst or triggered by exposure to mold. Such exposure to toxic molds could in effect cause additional swelling and inflamation of the bronchial tubes, as well as form excess mucus which would only amplify the already constricted airways.
Again, it would stand to reason, that should you be in contact with an allergen/immunosuppressive such as toxic mold, then the possibility of an amplification in your symptoms or condition is quite possible. Be sure that your home is "mold-free".
It is also noteworthy to say, that should you have confirmed Stachyboytrs Chartarum in your indoor environment, that you should vacate the premises during the mold inspection, mold collection and mold remediation processes. If you research into buildings that have been contaminated with this particular type of toxic mold, you will find that in each case, the building(s) are closed. It make sense from a health stand point, although there are some mold remediators out there that do not share this enlightened view. Perhaps they lack the knowledge surrounding the serious health affects with exposure to "toxic mold", whatever the case, be informed, get informed, afterall it is your health.
In laymans terms, if it makes you sick - then stay away from it and toxic mold is something that has the potential to do just that - make you sick.
PENICILLIUM:
The spores produced by this fungi have one of the highest concentrations of mycotoixins (poison), and it is equally possible for their vegetative portion to also contain the same toxins.
Even the remains of dead spores from this fungi can contain mycotoxins, and so it doesn't necessarily have to be living in order to create potential health risks. Such as the case with Stachyboytrs Chartarum which can still pose a health risk when the spores have died.
This toxic mold is noted as causing Pulmonary Infections (lung), Urinary-Tract Infections, Otomycosis (infection due to fungus in the external ear canal, with symptoms of scaling, itching and pain), and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (recurrent episodes of fever, chills, dry cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties).
The symptoms associated with exposure to Penicillium are:
Irritated/Hoarse Throat, Asthmatic Symptoms, Ear Infections, Sneezing, Allergic-like Symptoms, Runny Nose, Headaches, Flu-like Symptoms,
Fog/Disorientation Symptoms, and Insominia (inability to sleep)
This toxic mold enters the body by inhalation and is noted in clinical studies to cause further debilitation to the immune system, especially those individuals already with compromised or existing immuno-suppressed systems. At various stages of this mold's existence it has been noted to create VOC's (Volatile Organic Chemicals).
Like other toxic molds, Penicillium should be eliminated from your indoor environment, but as this species is common to the outdoors, finding its point of entry and reason for indoor population may be a difficult task. Air quality testing would be highly recommended in this situation. Again be informed, get informed.
ASPERGILLUS:
This species is also typically commonplace in buildings with water problems. It has several types of toxigenic species, some of the more common types are A. flavus, A.parasiticus and A.fumigatus; toxins are produced by each of these types, and there has been some substantial studies carried out on Aflatoxin which is a common mycotoxin produced by A.flavus and Aflavus. These are two of the most toxic substances known and are equally known to be severely toxic to the brain, liver, kidneys and heart and in the case of consistent exposure, they can become detramental carcinogens (cancer causing) of the liver.
It is also noted for Sinus Infections, Ear Infections, Skin Infections, Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections. The symptoms associated with exposure to Aspergillus are:
Asthma, Flu-like Symptoms, Cough, Dizziness, Headaches, Nausea/Vomiting, Chronic Fatigue (unexplained fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, lymph node swelling and malaise (body discomfort)).and Chronic Illness overall (long-term, persistent illness, a continued disease process).
This toxic mold enters the body by inhalation and is noted in clinical studies to cause Inflamatory Disease, Fungus Balls (lumps in the lungs), Eye Infections (may lead to blindness), in acute cases damage to the Heart, Lungs, Brain and Kidneys. Individuals already suffering from CS (chemical sensitivities) or MCS (multiple cs) generally have allergies to mold since infancy and would also be greatly affected by exposure.
In fact, Health Canada has issued a Material Safety Data Sheet/Infectious Substances bulletin for Aspergillius spp. They note in their MSDS that it is considered pathogenic. Many of the foremost fungi are considered pathogenic. A specific test utilzing potassium hydroxide and monitoring for symptoms will confirm or deny infection from Aspergillius spp. There is a treatment method, however, there is no form of immunization to ward off the possible contraction of infection from this fungi.
Health Canada Web-site: www.hc-sc.gc.ca
At the Fungal Research Group Inc., under Introduction by Eckardt Johanning, a doctor highly profiled and documented as one of the foremost professionals in the field of fungi research and the affects on humans, has written:
"The possible pathological consequences in humans and animals of exposure to bacteria and fungi fall principally into the categories of infection, allergy, and toxicity (Husman, 1986 Johanning 1999). In clinical practice the overlap of these pathological reactions of fungi is quite common. This may explain the wide variety of medical presentations and findings and why so many different medical specialties are involved in the care of such patients. Many medical providers, however, still have very little knowledge and training about air contamination problems and building-related diseases. This leads to delays in proper diagnosis and almost always treatment failure, because the underlying causes are not recognized or evident problems with the IAQ - Indoor Air Quality (or now redefined as : Indoor environmental quality (IEQ)) are not corrected."
"The true impact of these natural disasters and mold problems on the public health in these areas has not been systematically studied, although this would be an important project for prevention."
"Nevertheless, several diseases of great public health importance are known to be either strongly associated, caused or substantially aggravated by exposure to fungi and microbial by-products, although the exact pathological mechanisms are still under investigation and often difficult to prove". Once of these diseases is asthma, or more specifically occupational or environmental type asthma (Peat et al. 1998).
The research is now starting to come forward and soon the process for linking environmental conditions and symptoms, whether indoors or outdoors will be a serious consideration for medical professionals when considering any diagnosis.
There are a multitude of web-sites relating to toxic mold, its causes, affects and removal, here are a couple that we found to be informative:
www.mycotoxicosis.com
This site is highly informative in the area of symptoms, causes and affects of mold.
www.pinchin.net/faq/mouldbldg.htm
This site is highly informative and Pinchin is known well in the business of mold.
www.cwilson.com/pubs/insurance/npk9/app-a.htm
This site references legal actions taken against mold in Canada.