By Carrie Rutledge, Nutrition Therapist Master, Patient Coordinator
Navigating Living in Mold-Affected Environments
My daughter and I began to express some varied physical symptoms including skin rashes and lowered immunity after moving into our new home. Mold illness is rarely discussed in mainstream medicine and mold testing has a high rate of inaccuracy. It’s important to be vigilant as so many children and adults are struggling with diagnoses when the elephant in the room is overlooked. The truth is water penetration can happen anywhere and it’s extremely important to monitor and regularly test the home to avoid significant health risks. This article explores the importance of mold testing and provides practical strategies for managing living conditions in mold-affected environments to maintain optimal health.
Health Implications of Mold Exposure
Exposure to mold can lead to a variety of health issues, ranging from mild allergic reactions to severe respiratory and neurological problems, and even death. Understanding these health implications is essential for taking appropriate action to mitigate risks.
Common Health Effects
Some practitioners would argue that over 50% of children with ASD, PANS/PANDAS, OCD, ADHD and anxiety are on the Mast Cell Activation Spectrum (MCAS) and it will be extremely difficult to get their immune system to calm down without controlling their environment. When there is exposure to significant amounts of mold and all the detoxification pathways are struggling to keep up, it will be nearly impossible to detoxify until the exposure piece has been handled.
Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory issues, chronic ear infections, strep throat, skin rashes, eczema, lowered immunity, neurological symptoms, fatigue, and migraines. Neurological symptoms commonly seen in children with severe mold exposure are severe OCD, PANS/PANDAS, ASD, tics, brain fog, hormonal imbalance, head banging, anxiety and extreme anger. It’s important to understand that not all individuals will present symptomatology as genetics will play a role in the constitution of the person affected. This is why a mother and child may show symptoms, but the father and other siblings may not.
When these symptoms arise, many parents take their child to the pediatrician only to be diagnosed with Strep or PANS/PANDAS even though the child may not have an active Strep infection. The doctor will put the child on antibiotics and the symptoms will improve only for the child to crash and burn when they come off the antibiotics.
You may be able to see some indications of toxic mold exposure with routine blood tests. The markers you can look for are elevated liver enzymes and eosinophils. It is also not uncommon for mold exposure to lower the white blood cell count to the lower end of normal (around or below 4,500 IU). Nutrient deficiencies may also be present such as anemia and low zinc levels.
Mold Testing: The First Step to Awareness
Mold testing is the crucial first step in identifying and understanding the extent of mold contamination in your living environment. There are several methods of mold testing, each with its own merits and applications.
Unfortunately, most mold inspectors have very little training and do not understand the true impact of mold exposure. Usually, the mold inspector will follow OSHA guidelines and take a sample of air from each room. The home will then be given a clean bill of health if the amount of mold in the home is less than that of the exterior. However, a study from Berkeley showed that mold spores can only travel about four inches from an area of contamination and the mycotoxin gas that is released into the air is difficult to test for. California is a perfect example of a very dry state that also has homes that are prone to high levels of dry or non-active mold; however, it’s the mycotoxins and the gas they produce, that leads to severe health issues for many people.
We often hear that someone has just moved into a brand-new home so there is no possible way for it to have mold. This is not always the case as mold can rapidly grow in air conditioners from improper installation or drainage. Mold growth has been found in brand new homes with wine cellars that are not allowing for humidity to be released resulting in rapid mold growth. Furthermore, homes built on elevated foundations where water consistently passes underneath the subfloor are prone to mold if they are not properly ventilated. Mold can also be found in churches, schools, workspaces and many buildings that we frequent daily, making us or our children chronically sick.
If you suspect that your home may have mold, you may want to choose a screening tool that is extremely sensitive and will let you know if further investigation is necessary. An ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) is a great option for screening that looks at dust collected in the home. The Dust Test is my favorite because it offers follow-up discussions on the results you receive. You perform the test yourself by wiping up dust in your home and then you send it off to a lab to be tested. After a few weeks your results will be uploaded to an online portal. Sampling your dust for mold can give you an indication if your home is safe or if remediation may be needed. Once you have your results you can decide if you need a full inspection to pinpoint where the mold is located, and if remediation is possible.
Likewise, the ISEAI (International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illnesses) is a great resource to use if mold is found in the home. This website (ISEAI – International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness) gives lists of IEPs or Indoor Environmental Professionals, who can assess and guide families along the way. If you reside in the Atlanta area, we suggest Robby Brown at Breathewell Air (www.breathwellair.com) to evaluate the air quality in the home.
How to Navigate Living in a Moldy Situation Until Remediation is Possible
Living in a mold-affected environment requires a proactive approach to minimizing health risks and improving indoor air quality. I have listed some practical strategies to navigate these challenges.
Remediation is the best option for healing the environment and the individuals who are living there. The problem is not everyone can remediate and/or move, and remediation is dependent on finances and effective identification of all contaminated areas. This is also a very difficult situation for people who are renting. The landlord will bring in their conventional mold testers, they won’t find anything significant, and everyone moves on. Furthermore, a family might remediate one area of the home to find out there is also mold in the HVAC system or the air conditioner and the contamination is bigger than they thought.
For families living in a moldy situation and remediation is not possible, there are steps you can take to improve the air quality so that the health of the family can improve.
Ventilation
Make sure the home is properly ventilated and keep the windows open as much as possible if you live in a temperate climate.
HEPA Filtration
Quality air filtration systems can be somewhat effective especially if they contain a layer of activated charcoal or carbon filter that is able to filter the VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. A simple HEPA filter will not capture these compounds and will release them back into the atmosphere. There are expensive high-grade filters such as IQ Air or an Allerair Airmedic, but the air purifier may be placed too far away from the contaminated area, or it may not be scrubbing air uniformly. Furthermore, single room air filters usually will not capture the volume of air that needs to be scrubbed. This is why just throwing an air purifier in a room may not be enough to combat living in a moldy home. However, when a quality air purifier is paired with ionization, it can work quite well.
Ionization
Many studies are showing that ionization is now the most effective way to clean the air. Ionization is when electrically charged molecules are released into the air and attach to airborne particles causing them to clump together. The particles will then either fall to the ground or become captured from your filtration system. Air oasis (smaller living areas), IAP/GPS (larger rooms), combined with HEPA filtration and weekly deep cleaning are excellent options for controlling air quality in a home that cannot be remediated.
Mold testing is an essential step in identifying and managing mold contamination in your living environment. By understanding the health risks associated with mold exposure and implementing effective strategies to navigate mold-affected areas, you can maintain optimal health and improve your quality of life. Regular maintenance, proactive measures, and seeking professional advice when needed are key to living healthily in the presence of mold.
If you are living in a moldy environment, Longevity is here to help with holistic detoxification and support. Call and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members to learn more.
