FAQs
Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.
What does the EPA say about mold? ›
Molds are part of the natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Mold is not usually a problem, unless it begins growing indoors. The best way to control mold growth is to control moisture.
How does mold exposure affect the body? ›
Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.
How to tell if mold is making you sick? ›
Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by a mold allergy can include:
- Sneezing.
- Runny or stuffy nose.
- Cough and postnasal drip.
- Itchy eyes, nose and throat.
- Watery eyes.
- Dry, scaly skin.
Why is mold a health hazard? ›
Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions) and irritants. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.
Is the EPA limit restricting mold spores? ›
Currently, there are no EPA regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants. For more information on mold, see the Mold Website.
How does mold in the house affect humans? ›
When molds are present in large numbers, they may cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen. Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue.
What happens if you breathe in mold for a long time? ›
Common symptoms include sneezing, coughing, congestion and eye irritation. It rarely causes serious illness or death but may worsen asthma symptoms. You can't cure a black mold allergy, but a healthcare provider can diagnose it and help treat your symptoms.
How to detox mold from the body? ›
Some of the richest dietary sources of glutathione are spinach, avocados, asparagus, and okra. In addition to glutathione, quercetin and N-acetylcysteine support mold detox. If you're recovering from mold exposure, you may benefit from a concentrated dose of glutathione through supplement pills, inhalation or IV.
Can mold behind walls make you sick? ›
Can mold make my family sick? Exposure to mold can cause health effects in some people. Mold spores are always found in the air we breathe, but extensive mold contamination may cause health problems. Breathing mold can cause allergic and respiratory symptoms.
Mold exposure can cause a variety of neurological effects, including headaches and migraines, cognitive impairments, memory loss, confusion, impaired motor skills, depression, and other behavioral changes. Due to mold exposure, people with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to neurological symptoms.
What are the physical symptoms of mold in house? ›
Symptoms of mold exposure
Having mold in your home won't necessarily make you sick, but it does have the potential to cause certain health issues. Touching or inhaling mold spores can cause allergy-like symptoms such as: runny nose and congestion. eye irritation.
Does mold toxicity go away? ›
Those who process toxins well can see their symptoms disappear as quickly as a few days. Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.
How do you check yourself for mold poisoning? ›
The best way to test for mold toxicity is to look for mycotoxins in the urine. Great Plains Laboratory, and RealTime Laboratories all provide urine lab tests to screen for the presence of mold toxins within the body.
What are the symptoms of mold in the gut? ›
Gastrointestinal Effects
Mold exposure has been linked to various gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. These symptoms can range from mild discomfort to more severe digestive disturbances, depending on the individual's sensitivity and the extent of mold exposure.
Is mold an OSHA violation? ›
There are no standards that say how much mold is hazardous to your health. However, there should not be visible mold growth or objectionable moldy odors in your workplace.
What type of mold is hazardous? ›
There are five categories of toxic mold: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Stachybotrys. Some may only cause hay fever-like allergic reactions, while others can potentially cause deadly illnesses.
Is mold an unsafe work environment? ›
Most typical indoor air exposures to mold do not present a risk of adverse health effects. Molds can cause adverse effects by producing allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions). Potential health concerns are important reasons to prevent mold growth and to remediate existing problem areas.
How do you prove mold is toxic? ›
Some of the commonly prescribed medical tests for mold sickness are Mycotoxin testing, IGE testing, Scratch Allergy testing GI testing, and DNA testing. Your doctor will often use your environmental report to identify the appropriate corresponding medical test.