Mold in Indoor Environments Leads to Multiple Health Concerns

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep. 20, 2011 - It has been well documented that inhalation exposure to elevated levels of 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. Some molds are also opportunistic pathogens that can lead to potentially deadly fungal infections such as aspergillosis.

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 (dermatitis).  

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. In addition, mold exposure may result in opportunistic infections in persons whose immune systems are weakened or suppressed.

“When mold does grow indoors, the occupants of a building may begin to report odors and a variety of symptoms including headaches, difficulty breathing, skin irritation, allergic reactions and aggravated asthma symptoms,” reported Brian Mcfarland, Vice President of Legends Environmental Insurance Services, a leading provider of insurance coverage to the environmental industry.  “These symptoms may be associated with exposure to mold. Fortunately, environmental testing can help determine if there is a mold problem and there is an entire industry dedicated to helping people identify and remediate these conditions in indoor environments,” he continued.

Legends recently sponsored an educational video about inhalation exposures to mold.  It can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbKoonHwvHM




To learn more about Legends Environmental Insurance Services please visit: http://www.Legends-enviro.com, call (800) 992-6999 or email BrianM@Legends-enviro.com or bill@Legends-enviro.com.

# # #

About Legends Environmental Insurance Services, LLC
Legends Environmental Insurance Services is nationally recognized as an innovator in providing environmental and restoration insurance programs. The company has over 30 years experience providing these services in all 50 states.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/11666854/1