It has been well established that exposure to mold increases the risk of respiratory disorders. While there have been no studies that link dementia and mold exposure, there is evidence that suggests there is a possibility that mold exposure contribute to cognitive impairment in a small group of people. Because not every person who is exposed to mold will experience cognitive symptoms, it is difficult to establish a direct link between our brain and mold exposure.
What is Asbestos?
Mold is a type of fungi that’s found almost everywhere. However, exposure to mold can be potentially harmful for the human brain health as well as result in other harmful effects for other parts of the human body.
Exposure to Mycotoxins
There are some types of mold that are capable of producing toxic substances like mycotoxins. Animal studies have found that some of these mycotoxins can enter the brain and cause damage by interfering with inducing inflammation and metabolism. There is a possibility that it is the exposure to mycotoxins that leads to cognitive symptoms, rather than mold exposure.
Stress
Stress is typically associated with chronic exposure to mold. Stressful conditions such as low socioeconomic status can also lead to inflammation. Hence, it is possible that some of the negative health effects from mold exposure could have arose from the human body’s response to stressful condition, and not the mold itself.
Inflammation
The occurrence of Inflammation throughout the human body can be a result from the mold, which act as irritants that trigger an immune response from the body. Inflammation in the brain can impair cognitive function, and in severe cases such as chronic inflammation, it can result in a long-lasting cognitive impairment.
What You Can Do
Currently, there are no test available to predict accurately who will experience negative effects regarding their brain health after mold exposure. While there are many types of molds which are capable of producing mycotoxins, there is no guarantee that the person who was exposed to mold came into contact with mycotoxins.
The Common Areas For Mold Growth
The environment and food supply are the two most common areas to get exposed to mold. It is crucial to avoid eating food that shows visible signs of mold growth. For commercial food supply, the FDA regulates the level of mycotoxins present, so the greater risk comes from food that are locally grown which are not subjected to inspection.
Mold thrive in an environment that is damp and warm, which makes buildings that contain leaks, carpets, poor ventilation and high humidity the perfect condition for mold growth. The best thing to do to prevent mold from growing is to improve ventilation systems or opening windows to maintain proper ventilation, keep humidity levels low, and repair leaks as soon as possible.
How We Can Help
Iris Environmental Laboratories provide mold inspection services to help our clients in remediating their mold problems. Call now at 1800-908-6679 to find out more on our mold inspection services or fill up our online form to be contacted by our consultants.