mold-symptom.com

Fungus - we eat it, use it in medicine, and have it in our homes - it's everywhere, but it may also be toxic and growing near you.

"There are both good and bad fungi," said Margie Beucher, a former BYU microbiology professor. "Relatively few are pathogenic to humans, but many are pathogenic to plants and can harm humans indirectly."

IHI Environmental, an industrial hygiene corporation in Salt Lake City, reported an increase in the number of toxic mold cases in Utah from four in 2000 to 98 in 2002.

According to IHI there were 57 toxic mold cases in Utah in 2001 with four in Utah County. In 2002, five of the 98 cases were found in Utah County. So far in 2003 there have been 69 cases in Utah with three in Utah County.

"Fungi typically are filamentous [molds] or single celled [yeasts], both kinds can be problems for human health, but I think it is the former that is primarily responsible for the recent flap surrounding their presence in houses," BYU microbiology professor, Byron Adams said.

Any place in a home where moisture accumulates over an extended period of time can be a breeding ground for mold and fungus.

"Fungi are ubiquitous, and grow everywhere, even in some of the places where I work in Antarctica," Adams said.

Molds and fungi spores are tiny, lightweight and easily detached by airflow, vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a couch.

According to the Environmental Assessment Association, concern over "toxic mold" is growing as the medical community begins to understand some of the ailments mold can cause. So-called "sick buildings," including homes and offices, can contain toxic mold.

Mold is usually more prevalent in cold, damp climates and tends to grow in dark interior spaces.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, keeping humidity levels below 50 percent and ventilating shower and cooking areas can slow mold growth.

Mold growth can be removed with commercial products or a weak bleach solution.

The difference between "toxic" mold and "safe" mold can only be determined by a microbiologist.

Officials at IHI said the increase in the number of cases in Utah, a desert climate more than a damp climate and not a susceptible area to prevalent toxic mold, could be attributed to increased awareness and inadequacies in building homes.

According to IHI, mistakes made when building, such as air pockets between walls, Sheetrock getting wet, or failure to put in sprinkler systems or plumbing correctly can result in conditions for fungus to grow.

"Quite simply, fungi grow in and around houses because they can," Adams said. "Microscopic spores enter houses via ambient air. Since people have to breathe, it's virtually impossible to exclude spores from entering their homes.

Physical symptoms associated with exposure to toxic mold include memory loss, allergies and breathing difficulties.

Some people are particularly susceptible to illness from toxic mold, especially those with asthma, existing respiratory problems and infants. These people may suffer fever and mold infections within their lungs.

"Most people who have mold in their homes are responding to fungal spores which are acting like allergens, and the response is similar to that of hay fever, like what you would expect from pollen and other airborne allergens," Adams said.

According to the CDC, no one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to 300,000 or more.

Some fungi can be serious pathogens. Adams said one particular type, once inside human tissues, could grow into clumps that can clog up your lungs or kidneys. Other types can grow along the walls of arteries and veins, or even heart valves.

"There are some fungi that can cause serious problems in humans whose normal ecological niche is in bat poop," Adams said. "But when humans come into contact with bat poop, accidental infections can occur that can end up being pretty serious."

Beucher said other examples of toxic mold cases would be the great potato famine or toxins from mushrooms that are poisonous to humans.

A harmful fungus can be difficult to treat.

"Since they are eukaryotes their cells are similar to ours, so chemistries that kill fungal cells usually cause damage to ours as well," Adams said.

However, despite the rise in "toxic" fungus cases being reported, good fungi do exist. Adams said many types actually live on or inside us and we don't know it.

"There are definitely good fungi," Adams said. "It's possible that some of the fungi that we normally carry around in our mouth, GI tract, and other mucous membrane linings actually protect us from other pathogenic microorganisms."