Up to 25% of the population has a genetic predisposition that makes them more susceptible to mold illness. That is a quarter of the United States population. These adults, teens, children and babies who are more susceptible to mold illness, usually find themselves on many different prescriptions, in and out of doctor’s offices and never ever feeling 100% healthy. However, Mold can and does affect the remaining 3 quarters of the US population. Over half of our homes and buildings are known to have some sort of water damage, leading to mold growth. “From several studies conducted in the United States, Mudarri and Fisk (2007) estimated the prevalence of dampness or mould in houses to be approximately 50%.” Working and living in environments where mold growth is prevailing, can and does affect even those without the genetic predisposition to an array of health and costly financial burdens.
Indoor mold growth Impacts everything and everyone negatively. Let’s Change that!
Health
Is toxic mold that bad? Yes it negatively affects people’s health and quality of life.
Most doctors do not have the training to identify mold illness. “Possibly every doctor in the United States is treating mold illness, and they just don’t realise it.” (Dr. Scott McMahon, MD, 2017) (Source: https://realtimelab.com/mold-statistics/)
“Fungal diseases often are not diagnosed right away because their symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases. Earlier diagnosis and treatment can save lives!”
It’s estimated “That fungal diseases cost more than $7.2 billion in 2017, including $4.5 billion from 75,055 hospitalizations and $2.6 billion from 8,993,230 outpatient visits. Aspergillus infections (n = 14820, total cost $1.2 billion) accounted for the highest total hospitalization costs of any disease.”
93% of chronic sinus infections have been attributed to mold. (Mayo Clinic, 1999) (Source: https://realtimelab.com/mold-statistics/)
[Mycotoxins] can spread and affect the immune system severely. These lead to health conditions like allergies, hypersensitivity, respiratory problems (asthma, wheezing, coughing); and some other severe ones like those of memory loss, depression, anxiety and reproductive problems among several others. (Rujuta Borkar, 2018) (Source: https://realtimelab.com/mold-statistics/)
The presence of mold in a home is correlated with increased endotoxin levels (Reed and Milton 2001). Endotoxin refers to soluble lipopolysaccharide fragments that form part of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. Inhaled endotoxin causes an inflammatory reaction in humans, especially at high doses, including fever, flu like symptoms, cough, headache, and respiratory distress (Douwes et al. 2003). Chronic exposure to endotoxin at concentrations found in the air in some workplaces is associated with increased risk of upper respiratory infections, airway inflammation, asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (Rylander 2002).
Structural Integrity and Mold Remediation Financial Responsibility
Each year mold destroys more wood than all the fires and termites combined. Homeowners insurance covers mold damage if a “covered peril” caused it. Otherwise, an insurance company will likely not cover mold damage. Meaning, most of the time, the owner of that home or structure is left footing the entire bill. Many people can’t afford to remediate and restore their home correctly and completely and are often left having to sell their home at a loss.
Schools and Education
Schools themselves can be a source of mold exposure. Children return to school and often get sick. Is it the germs from other kids? Or, could it be mold growth and a high concentration of mold spores/mycotoxins/endotoxins in the school itself? It’s hard to say when the standards or Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for airborne concentrations of mold, or mold spores, have not been set. Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants, and the EPA states that, “ Moisture problems in portable classrooms and other temporary structures have frequently been associated with mold problems.” Mold can and does impact a child’s ability to learn, participate and thrive in an education/classroom setting. If your child is getting sick then they are missing valuable school days and they are falling behind on their education. If they keep getting sick when they return to school, then you should consider that the school may have a potential mold problem that is causing the child to get or stay sick. Since the EPA does not have a threshold limit for airborne concentrations of mold, it may be hard to get your school to take mold contamination seriously.
Relationships
People understand and can empathize when they hear the word cancer, pneumonia, meningitis, car accident, flooding, ect…. That is because these events have been widely publicized and accepted as serious and life threatening. Mold exposure and contamination has not been accepted in the same manner. The majority of Doctors in mainstream medical, are not even taught about mold illness and therefore also fully do not understand how devastating mold can impact one’s health. Someone who has been exposed to mold and is taking active, often life changing steps, to heal; can be left feeling isolated and alone. Unfortunately, due to the taboo nature of mold, people will often not want to accept that mold is an issue, may not understand the severity of mold exposure or simply would rather not deal with it at all. This unfortunately does not simply mean friends. This reality can divide marriages and have family members disengage. We want to change this, by educating and spreading awareness to the public about the truth of mold and how serious and life threatening it truly can be to those affected.
Other Sources Used:
http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43325/E92645.pdfhttps://realtimelab.com/mold-statistics/https://jjimd.com/services/mold-illness-and-chronic-inflammatory-response-syndrome/