Chances are, you're inhaling mold spores this very minute. Will they cause lung or respiratory illness? It depends on several variables.
Airborne mold spores are suspected in a number of health-related problems in susceptible individuals including allergic reactions as well as chronic illness and fatigue. Common respiratory symptoms that may be attributed to mold include asthma, cough and shortness of breath. Specific lung illnesses in which mold has been identified as a cause include:
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an immune reaction to a variety of inhaled particles including mold spores. Symptoms include inflammation and swelling of lung tissue.
- Aspergillosis, a lung infection specifically attributed to inhaling spores of the Aspergillus mold genus, a type of fungus growth that commonly occurs inside homes.
Mold spores exist everywhere in nature. Outdoors, spores are widely dispersed. However, inside the enclosed environment of a mold-contaminated home, the airborne spore count can rise to unnatural levels, potentially hundreds of times more concentrated than mold spores found outdoors. Since most people spend 80% of their daily life inside, exposure to mold contamination and the potential for sickness is inevitably greater.
Dampness Is Another Factor
In addition to potential direct effects of inhaling mold spores, secondary factors like dampness are also related to lung illness. Mold growth is always more prevalent in damp indoor environments where humidity is above 60% due to poor ventilation, unresolved water damage issues or naturally high outdoor humidity. Breathing damp, stale air on a long-term basis may also trigger lung illness, particularly those with existing respiratory conditions, infants and small children and individuals with compromised immune systems.
What To Do Next
If you or a family member are experiencing lung illness or other symptoms that may be related to mold exposure, your first contact should always be your personal physician. If other potential causes are ruled out by a complete physical examination and mold exposure is still suspected, contact a mold remediation professional for a home inspection that includes air sampling to confirm the presence of mold spores as well as identify the type and extent of contamination inside the house.
