Mold — How it Grows & the damage it can cause

Mold is a type of fuzzy looking and smelly patches of fungus that usually grows in moist and damp places like carpet, ceiling, and rotten wood, near tabs, bottom of pools. Mold can be characterized as different types and breeds of fungus with diverse variety of unpleasant colors like black, green, yellow, brown and so many others in combinations of these colors. Mold naturally grows outside but there are favorable chances to indoor growth also which is not good for the human health. Indoor growth of mold results when there is building up of moisture on surfaces which are generally ignored or hidden. It can also grow where we usually do not go for cleaning or where direct sunlight cannot reach intensively. Mold spores can travel through air so there is nothing to be surprised that it can be present anywhere (although we avoid moisture at particular surface).

Damages caused by Mold:

Host surface:

Mold grows on surfaces which are usually moist and even where hygiene is not maintained like ceiling or other unreachable areas. As it grows, moisture of its tiny parts (naked) are get absorbed into surface on where it growth. Consequently, it deteriorates the surface on which it is growing on and weakens the structure of material. Here weakens refers to completely rote the material that is not even stable to walk or do anything over there (Mold and Mildew, 2013). Although that surface appears only wet or full of moisture but completely destroy the wooden surfaces that, further only gives situation to replace or repair the surface. Mold also decreases friction of surface and makes the surface slippery which is not safe for human beings to walk on that place. It may be proven as injurious to health.

Health issues:

People living in mold exposed household, experience allergic reactions, irritation in eyes and throat, infections, wheezing, increase of hypersensitivity. Mold can also produce some toxic compound which can lead to harm the immune system and brain damage. Here are some significant hazards results from mold:

• Asthma:

People who are patients of asthma can get increased onset of asthma attacks due to mold exposure. A fungal mold called Penicillium when exposed to infants, respiratory problems develops at early stage of life like wheeze and cough which will make them more prone to early onset of asthma and uneven death. People with lung disease, get a Sevier allergic reaction when they are exposed to mold spores.

• Fungal Infection:

​Individual who are immune-compromised, when inhale mold, the mold grow inside their respiratory system on tissue as host and can cause fungal infection. Skin infection, sinus infections, lung infections, digestive tract infections are also possible if there is acute long term exposure to mold. In immune-compromised people, common cause of illness and death due to infection are opportunistic from mold exposure.

• Hypersensitivity:

Due to direct exposure to mold spores, hypersensitivity can be caused by dead or alive mold which in turn can cause allergic rhinitis and asthma (Symptoms and causes, 2017). Symptoms like running nose, water in eyes and asthma attacks can also be introduced due to this reason.

• Toxicity due to Mycotoxin:

In certain conditions molds produces toxic compounds called Mycotoxin. When mycotoxin exposure at high rate, it can effect human and animal health severely. High exposure can cause neurological problems in humans and sometimes it proves as fatal. it can also be on the surface on which the mold is growing, so if ingested in large quantities can cause intoxication in human beings. A particular type of Mycotoxin i.e. Aflatoxincan cause cancer in some cases.

Algae

Algae are group of aquatic organisms which are formed over very moist area like along water pipes, sewage lines, kitchen sinks, and long-time standing water these are generally green or bluish in color. It is commonly seen by us in our daily life which is generally ignored by us but below given issues can make us more aware about it.

Consequences caused by Algae:

Surface: algae damps and wets the surface on which it grows and makes it slippery, also it can accumulate in water pipes and can cause blockage. Algae growing on wood can make wood rot and completely decompose it. Algae growing around kitchen can easily reach into food and cause damage to food items and ultimately to our health (Fogel, 2002).

Harm to fish and plants: Accumulation of algae in fish tanks can cause damage to fish as algae makes the water oxygen deprived and some algae produce toxins which can cause death of fishes due to its intense toxicity and oxygen deprived water. Algae growing around plants can cover them and stop growth of plants by decreasing the amount of sunlight reaching into plant. Ultimately, photosynthesis is affected also, leads to starving in plants for their nutrition. ​Pressure washing in St. Louis use an eco-friendly chemical process that’s also plant friendly.

Harm to human health: Algae can cause skin irritation and stomach diseases when ingested. Particular types of algae can also cause Sevier health problems in human. Health conditions associated with algae:

• ​It can cause several skin infections: irritation, rashes, redness, patches etc.
• Several types of algae can even cause skin cancer.
• Slippery surface due to its growth can cause injurious accidents to us.
• Irritation in eyes, food poisoning, diarrhea are commonly can influence due to its presence.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning: This causes muscular aches, numbness, diarrhea, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Anxiety, Reversal of sensation of temperature sensation and other neurological symptoms, vomiting, sweating can occur (Mold Remediation Guidelines, 2014). Poisoning can cause paralysis and death. There is no cure for this poising only therapy can be done which takes years to take effect.

Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning: after ingestion of contaminated seafood, person starts to feel nausea, gastrointestinal symptoms within 30 min. Poisoning causes abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Recovery takes almost 3 days.

Paralytic Poisoning: this type of poisoning causes threat to life. Rapid onset of neurological symptoms is characterized by this poisoning which can lead to death also. In severe cases respiratory distress can be caused within 1 day of ingestion of algae contaminated seafood. Symptoms like fever, rash, irritation, burning sensation and numbness.

References

Mold and Mildew. (2013). Retrieved from fema.gov: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mol...

Mold Remediation Guidelines. (2014). Retrieved from ncsu.edu:https://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/www99/right/handsMan/air...

Symptoms and causes. (2017). Retrieved from mayoclinic.org: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mol...

Fogel, R. (2002). Waste Not, Want Not: Fungi as Decomposers. Retrieved from usu.edu: http://herbarium.usu.edu/fungi/funfacts/Decay.htm