Public health concern regarding the effects of indoor exposure to mold is due primarily to the variety of symptoms such exposure can cause, particularly to individuals with allergies or respiratory problems. Chronic inflammatory response syndrome is one such response to what is called “Exposure to the Interior Environment of Water” -damaged buildings, along with nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions, which  may include fever, shortness of breath and/or lung infections. 

According to the World Health Organization and and the Government Accountability Office, there are many compounds, both toxigens and inflammagens, present in the indoor air of Water-Damaged Buildings (WDB).  The contaminants include fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and mycobacteria and their toxin; as well as inflammagens from fragments of fungal structure; and beta glucans, mannans, hemolysins, proteinases, spirocyclic drimanes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Given the health implications that can occur in a WDB, it is imperative that any water damage is immediately addressed by the most professionally trained and experienced personnel in order to prevent the amplification of mold, other toxins and inflammagens.

Removal of fungi, mold, bacteria and other potential toxins and inflammagens requires trained, experienced personnel and many times the services of industrial hygienist (IH) in order to determine the magnitude of the indoor air problem. 

Resource list for reading include:

• An Office Building Occupant’s Guide to IAQ: www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/occupgd.html
• Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings:  www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html
• IAQ in Large Buildings/Commercial Buildings:  www.epa.gov/iaq/base/index.html