Airborne mold spores can be toxic to human health.

Mold, or as scientists call them, fungi are a very important part of our natural ecosystem.

They live and grow all around us on dead material such as leaves.

This is just one of natures ways of breaking down materials for reuse in our environment.

Mold reproduces by releasing microscopic particles called spores. These spores generated are carried by air currents to new areas that may be favorable for their growth

Why hasn't this been an issue before? As homes have become more energy efficient they have become a double-edged sword for people with allergies to mold.

In a normal sealed home (i.e. no open windows or vents) people can expect to see a significant reduction in the quantity of mold spores in the air. In some houses though, mold can find a good environment to thrive.

For mold to thrive, it requires two prerequisites. First there must be a food source like wood that is a major component of most people's house.

The second prerequisite is a relative humidity level greater than seventy percent.

Most houses that have mold problems also have some type of water damage. It can sometimes be traced back to building materials getting wet during construction in new housing or water leaks in any type of housing.

In other houses problem areas may never have a water leak but they have an area of the house that is usually very damp.

Where these two prerequisites exist, the mold spores that slip into our house through an open door or window, will grow producing more spores. Once mold settles in, it can become very expensive to remove.

As stated in many scientific publications, mold can be a significant cause of allergic disease.

Individuals with a weakened immune system, the very young, the very old, individuals with allergies or respiratory problems who have had a significant exposure to toxic mold can suffer many different reactions from their exposure.

Mold spore exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. People are usually exposed to these spores long before recognizing that a problem exists.

Individuals can experience a range of symptoms from mild allergic reactions, increased asthma attacks, to more severe effects including opportunistic infections.

When individuals complain about scratchy throats, hard to breath environments, or eye irritation, a mold may be the source of the problem.

While not as common it is possible that even a single heavy exposure to mold could lead to Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, or other immunologic effects.

One of the more dangerous elements associated with mold is mycotoxin, these are secondary chemical products produced by fungi.

As the name implies, they cause serious health problems issues to those who are exposed. For instance, ingestion of aflotoxin B1, the most well-known and studied mycotoxin, is known to cause liver cancer.

There is also evidence that exposure to mycotoxins can cause lung cancer, acute or chronic nervous system damage, and endocrine effects.

How do you handle mold exposure in a house? The first step is to have the house tested.

As shown in scientific literature, airborne sampling as part of an overall visual inspection of the house has been shown to be the most effective way to determine the overall fungal contamination versus just spot sampling surfaces.

With this in hand, you as the homeowner are able to make rational decisions about your next step, which may or may not involve remediation.

Since remediation often includes the removal of materials such as affected walls or carpets it is critical to know where the hot spots are within a house to save money. If you have any water leaks fix them immediately! Mold can grow rapidly in the right environment.