How Molds Can Turn the Air You Breathe So Toxic That You Fall Ill

deadly molds toxic air breathe illness health risk

Doctors are increasingly reporting patients coming for treatment of symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, nausea, and cognitive decline that are often so serious that they are unable to attend school or work. Urine testing often reveals the cause to be naturally occurring poisonous substances called mycotoxins that are released into the air by mold. Typically, people who suffer from this poisoning have had extended exposure to damp environments and breathed air that was recirculated and not exposed to sunlight; conditions normally encountered in climate-controlled environments and basements. 

Understanding Molds 

Dormant mold becomes active in the presence of damp and produces mycotoxins that can flourish. The mold spores contaminate the air and the toxins accumulate in the bodies of persons who are exposed to the air over an extended period resulting in bio-toxicity. Mycotoxins are found in food also; staple crops like corn, barley, wheat, coffee, etc. have been proven to be highly susceptible to contamination that may occur during growth, harvesting, storage, transportation, and packaging. Being minuscule, the poisonous spores cannot be removed from the crops and being heat-resistant, remain active and deadly even after being cooked. According to the World Health Organization, “Exposure to mycotoxins can happen either directly by eating infected food or indirectly from animals that are fed contaminated feed, in particular from milk.” Kidney damage, liver failure, and cancer are possible outcomes of mycotoxin toxicity. 

Symptoms Of Mycotoxin Toxicity 

There are multiple symptoms of inhaling toxic mold spores; the most common ones respiratory; a sore throat, sinus congestion, wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath. These can lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an autoimmune condition and with prolonged exposure; immune system dysregulation can happen that can then cause symptoms like fatigue, headache, general body pain, depression, rashes, cognitive issues, inflammation of the digestive system, weight gain, etc. Both the degree of exposure and the resistance power combine to make different reactions in different people. 

What To Do If You Suspect Mycotoxin Toxicity 

Because of the many symptoms that are common to everyday diseases, it can be quite difficult to determine if you have toxicity from mold exposure. However, if your conditions persist, you should get a confirmation by consulting an experienced doctor who will normally advise you to undergo testing using mycotoxin testing kits. If mold toxicity is confirmed by a lab that specializes in that kind of testing, you should immediately get your home inspected by an air quality specialist to investigate if there is indeed mold infestation and what needs to be done to eliminate it. If the poisoning appears to be from food, your doctor will possibly suggest an amylose-free diet, i.e. a diet that is low in grains, tubers, and sugar and also put you on nutritional supplements that can help to eliminate the toxins from your body. 

Conclusion 

It is very important to ensure that your home and workplace has no damp that encourages the mold to breed. Even if the space is climate controlled, efforts should be made to let in fresh air from time to time so that the toxin buildup can be prevented. 

Author Kristen Smith is a health expert who has been running many health seminars and public discussions. She also manages her blog and reviews the health-related details provided by authentic sources. You can visit mycotoxin testing kit for more information on avoiding toxic mold.


I hope you enjoyed this blog post about how molds can turn the air you breathe into a toxic health concern that you need to avoid.

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