The recent and current research continues to support an association of damp and moldy buildings with occupant health complaints and conditions. The following is a list of national and international science and medical opinions.
Dampness and Microbial
Exposure
Shoemaker (2010) identifies “Mold
illness” as a subcategory of biotoxin illness, called Chronic Inflammatory
Response Syndrome (CIRS). CIRS is defined as: an acute and chronic,
systemic inflammatory response syndrome acquired following exposure to the
interior environment of a water-damaged building (WDB) with resident toxigenic
organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and
mycobacteria as well as inflammagens such as endotoxins, beta glucans,
hemolysins, proteinases, mannans, c-type lectins and possibly spirocyclic
drimanes, plus volatile organic compounds. The EPA has indicated that 21% of all new cases of asthma are due to
exposure to WDB.
The California
Department of Public Health CDPH (2011)
concluded that the presence of water damage, dampness, visible mold, or
mold odor in schools, workplaces, residences, and other indoor environments is
unhealthy.
The CDPH further concluded that human health studies have
led to a consensus among scientists and medical experts that the presence in
buildings of (a) visible water damage, (b) damp materials, (c) visible mold, or
(d) mold odor indicates an increased risk of respiratory disease for occupants.
Known health risks include: the development of asthma, allergies, and
respiratory infections; the triggering of asthma attacks; and increased wheeze,
cough, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. In addition, evidence is
accumulating, although not yet conclusive, that the more extensive, widespread,
or severe the water damage, dampness, visible mold, or mold odor, the greater
the health risks.
In the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (2012) alert,
dampness is defined as the presence of unwanted and excessive moisture in
buildings. Dampess can lead to the growth of mold, fungi, and bacteria; the
release of volatile organic compounds; and the breakdown of building materials.
NIOSH uses the term “mold” for a group of fungi that are common on wet
materials. Research studies have shown that exposures to building dampness and
mold have been associated with respiratory symptoms, asthma, hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, and respiratory infections.
Individuals with asthma or hypersensitivity pneumonitis may be at risk for
progression to more severe disease if the relationship between illness and
exposure to the damp building is not recognized and exposures continue. Building
dampness and subsequent respiratory illness in some building occupants
(including children) occur inpart from a lack of knowledge and understanding of
the nature and severity of these problems among designers, builders, building
owners, employers, and building occupants. Buildings may also develop dampness
problems from improper or insufficient maintenance or operation and weather
events. The best current evidence suggests observations of dampness, water
damage, mold, or mold odors are the best indicators of dampness-related health
hazards, rather than microbiologic measurements. Respiratory outcomes have been
the most thoroughly studied and reviewed, while the evidence is limited for the
possible health effects of mycotoxins in indoor environments, including
neurological outcomes. A recent review of the occupational causes of
sarcoidosis indicates that there is increasing evidence that sarcoidosis (a
multiorgan granulomatous disease) has multiple causes, including exposure to
mold, especially in the presence of triggers of inflammation. Not all reported
types of building-related symptoms have been fully investigated.
The Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America has classified the following symptoms for mold
allergies: • Sneezing • Chronic cough
• Runny nose • Nasal congestion • Itchy, watery and red eyes • Skin rashes and hives •
Sinus headaches • Reduced lung capacity and difficulty breathing.
The Asthma foundation reports
that current evidence suggests that excessive moisture promotes mold growth and
is associated with an increased prevalence of symptoms due to irritation,
allergy, and infection. However, specific human toxicity due to inhaled fungal
toxins has not been scientifically established.
Health hazards
from exposure to environmental molds and their metabolites relate to four broad
categories of chemical/biological attributes. These materials may be: 1)
irritants, 2) allergens, 3) toxins, and rarely 4) pathogens. Different mold
species may be more or less hazardous with respect to any or all of these
categories. However, risks from exposure to a particular mold species may vary
depending on a number of factors. Uncertainty is complicated further by a lack
of information on specific human responses to well-defined mold contaminant
exposures.
Whether or not symptoms develop in people exposed to fungi
depends on the nature of the fungal material (e.g., allergenic, toxigenic, or
infectious), the amount of exposure, and the susceptibility of exposed persons.
Susceptibility varies with the genetic predisposition (e.g., allergic reactions
do not always occur in all individuals), age, state of health, and concurrent
exposures.
Mold-exposure
symptoms differ from person to person, depending upon the sensitivities of each
individual and their levels of exposure to mold. Persons that are extremely sensitivity to
mold, or those with suppressed immune systems, could be at higher risk for
allergic reactions than those that are less sensitive and have full immune
system function. Reaction to mold
exposure can be immediate or delayed, depending on the individual and their
susceptibility and exposure levels.
Steve Zivolich, M.A.,
the owner/operator of Guaranteed Property Inspection and Mold Investigation
Inc. has been providing property and environmental inspections for over 13
years in Orange County and Southern California.
Steve Z. has
performed over 6,000 home inspections, mold, energy and environmental
inspections and is fully certified and insured to meet all your inspection
needs. He personally provides all field inspection services and as a result is
able to maintain the highest Better Business Bureau rating of A+.
Steve has extensive
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inspector that will guarantee that you receive the most thorough, state of the
art and comprehensive inspection that follows current industry standards of
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that is purchased on your behalf from American Home Warranty Association.
Unlike other home
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the end of your inspection period, including the areas of: mold, asbestos,
allergens, child safety, radon, formaldehyde, energy, EMF, water quality, and
VOC's. As a result of his advanced training, he is able to offer a FREE energy audit and FREE mold investigation as well, with each home inspection.
.
Please take
the time to read through Steve's home inspector credentials and qualifications
as this is so important when hiring an inspector. Don't focus on price alone,
focus on value, quality, experience and professionalism. When you hire an
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