What are the Health Risks Associated with Black Mould?

Black mould is a species of the fungus stachybotrys, known as stachybotrys chartarum. This mould is infamous for its association with the low quality of air found in homes infected with it and also the health risks that the mould carries. Black mould can also be found in in grain and in soil samples, but it is mostly known for its occurence in homes which have experienced some sort of water damage. The mould thrives in moist wallpaper and the wet gypsum underneath the surface of the wall. Its negative effects on humans include a wide range of symptoms.

Immediate Health Risks Associated With Black Mould

The most common signs of black mould infestation are the human reactions to the mycotoxins in this fungus, which are inhaled unknowingly. People living in a home infested with black mould, or working long hours in a building in similar condition, often report unexplained symptoms which resemble those associated with allergies. They also report other, more severe symptoms.

Some common symptoms resulting from black mould exposure are sneezing, itching eyes, runny nose and headaches. People often mistake these for signs for those of low grade fever or cold, or even an allergy attack. In fact, their bodies are reacting to unusually high levels of black mould in the air.

Some people never experience anything more severe than the above-mentioned symptoms even if their home is riddled with black mould. Others will show signs of much more physical distress, including nausea and diarrhea. Coughing up blood or black debris is a sign that the mould has gotten to the lungs. Black mould can also attack the mucous membrane and bring on frequent nose bleeds.

Long Term Health Risks Associated with Black Mould

These irritations can be signs of more profound illnesses caused by long-term exposure to black mould. A recent study by the Mayo Clinic suggested that nearly all chronic sinus infections in the United States are due to black mould inhalation. This means that tens of millions of people are directl suffering severe effects from this mould. Other studies link it to the asthma rate, which has tripled in the last few decades.

There are other, even more severe maladies that are linked to black mould inhalation. These involve organ damage and even organ failure in some cases. Mycotoxins can begin colonies in the lungs, which means that removing oneself from the source will no longer be enough to get rid of symptoms. From there, they can even pass into the circulatory system, where they can weaken artery walls and cause internal bleeding.

In the most extreme cases, victims of the health risks black mould causes would experience hair and weight loss, sexual dysfunction and neurological disorders. The damage caused is unpredictable and seems to manifest itself differently in different individuals. The health risks in the long run of black mould inhalation, however, are the same for all and there is no telling how one will suffer from contact with it.