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by Serena Edwards

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Mold, the common name for fungus, is probably the most common and least understood life form on the planet. Neither plant nor animal, they are something completely different and unique. Some are amazingly useful, such as baker's yeast or edible mushrooms, while others can have devastating health consequences. The most important thing to understand is that mold can have negative health effects in three different ways:

1) Allergic Reaction. This most often occurs as microscopic spores and fragment float through the air. So light they can stay a loft for incredibly long periods of time, we breathe the spores in. Another form of allergic reaction is from eating fungi. Antibiotics are made from fungi, and it is no joke when your physician asks if you allergic to penicillin! Health effects of these allergies can run from itchy, red eyes and stuffy nose to anaphylactic shock and death in very severe cases.

2) Infection. Fungi can take up residence in or on the human body. Actually some fungi, such as Candida albicans, are nearly always living in the human intestinal tract. This is usually not a problem until or unless the growth gets out of hand. Simple infections such as Athlete's Foot are actually fungal infections, and most are easily treated. However, in extreme cases, fungi such as aspergillus can invade the body, leading to severe pulmonary problem, at at the extremes, death.

3) Poisoning. Referred to as mycotoxicosis, this is a result of contact with fungi when they are producing their natural defenses - toxins. The most extreme of these would probably be aflatoxin, which is carefully controlled in grain crops by the FDA because of its extremely carcinogenic properties. This particular toxin is actually so powerful as to have been listed as a potential bioterrorism weapon by the Department of Defense.

And, while the FDA tends to think of mycotoxins as something you shouldn't eat, they also happen to be something you shouldn't breathe. While not usually a big problem outdoors, long periods of contact in confined spaces should definitely be avoided. Initial symptoms are most often mistaken for bronchitis or pneumonia, but the result over time can be chronic, debilitating illness.

With over 100,000 species of mold on the planet, we humans live with mold pretty well, as a general rule. Keeping the relationship friendly is not usually too difficult. Obviously, any illness caused by mold should be treated when discovered, as none of these conditions simply go away on their own, and most will become worse if left untreated.

The very worst effects of mold in the environment can generally be avoided by controlling indoor humidity before mold gets a chance to grow. Although a HEPA filter can take out most airborne spores, this type of filter has no effect on fungal toxins, which are so tiny they would pass right through the filter. So the best answer is to avoid giving mold a chance to grow indoors at all.

Typically, the most common indoor molds thrive on humidity levels greater than 50%, and those kinds of levels are most often connected to unrepaired leaks or poorly designed environmental controls. It takes about 48 hours for fungal colonies to establish themselves inside walls, under floors, or in crawl spaces, so the best move is to repair leaks promptly, and dry everything immediately. In commercial or public buildings - the type usually referred to as "climate controlled" or "tight" buildings with windows that do not open - humidity problems can happen even without any leaks.

One simple way to spot this problem is to notice whether there is any condensation gathering on the windows or window sills. And, of course, don't assume that the "bug" that's going around the office is necessarily a bug at all. It just might be mold, and it's worth the effort to check for any leaks or excess humidity to make sure you aren't overlooking anything.

Learn more about this author, Serena Edwards.

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