Health Effects of Mold Exposure Discussed in New Online Video

Aug. 28, 2011 - PRLog -- Today, the IAQ Video Network and Cochrane & Associates announced the release of another online video to help educate the public about environmental issues that may impact their health.

Inhalation exposure to fungi in indoor environments can cause health effects in some people. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances known as mycotoxins.

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.  Both dead and alive mold can cause these allergic reactions in some people.  These allergic reactions to mold are common and can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses may include hay fever-like symptoms such as headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash.  Repeated or single exposure to mold, mold spores, or mold fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold, and repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity.

Mold exposure can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, molds can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of individuals whether or not they are allergic to mold.

“Breathing mold may also cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a condition that resembles bacterial pneumonia,” reported Paul Cochrane, President of Cochrane and Associates, the company behind the IAQ Video Network and the new public outreach video.   “In addition, mold exposure may result in opportunistic infections in persons whose immune systems are weakened or suppressed.  We hope this online video helps to inform the public about the dangers associated with elevated levels of mold in indoor environments.”

To view this video please visit http://www.IAQTV.com or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbKoonHwvHM



To learn more please visit http://www.cochraneassoc.com, email info@cochraneassoc.com or call (602)510-3179.

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About Cochrane & Associates, LLC & the IAQ Video Network
Cochrane & Associates is a business development, public relations and marketing consulting firm that specializes in the environmental, HVAC, mold and indoor air quality industries. The company has worked with many of the industries’ leading institutions and companies and continues to be an innovator in the industry. They are also the innovators behind the IAQ Video Network.