Mold Mycotoxins: An Invisible Threat to Your Health

What Are Mycotoxins?

According to World Health Organization (WHO), mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by some mold types mostly found in foodstuffs before or after harvest. These include cereals, nuts, spices, apples, coffee, and dried fruits stored under warm and humid conditions favoring mold growth. But mold can also grow inside and outside buildings almost on all materials used on walls, ceilings, or floors.

Mycotoxins are chemically stable. This means they don't get destroyed by different food processing techniques. Once the foodstuff is infected, the remedy is often to safely discard the produce.

Exposure to mycotoxins leads to mycotoxicosis in humans. It is an acute and chronic health problem. You can get poisoned through ingestion, inhalation, or body contact. Strangely, mycotoxins are also toxic to livestock.

But what are examples of mycotoxins? Scientists and researchers have identified hundreds of mycotoxin types. However, the most common and toxic ones include aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, patulin, zearalenone, and Stachybotrys chartarum mycotoxin. These can poison both humans and animals.

How Are Mycotoxins Produced?

As mentioned, mycotoxins are commonly found in food and indoor air of infested buildings. But how are they produced, and what favors their production?

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by some fungi species belonging to genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Byssochlamys, Alternaria, etc. These toxins can contaminate raw materials and products at any stage in the food chain.

The presence of mycotoxins is influenced by many factors. It all starts with mold invasion and colonization, leading to mycotoxin production. This implies any conditions that favor the growth of mold and other fungi will consequently lead to the accumulation of this toxic compound.

The two main factors that favor the growth of mold and mycotoxins are temperature and humidity. Mycotoxins from mold often occur at an optimum temperature range from 68 to 86°F. This often occurs within areas experiencing warm climates and in water-damaged properties.

Types Of Mycotoxins

Scientists have identified different types of mycotoxins. The list of mycotoxins consists of hundreds of these toxic compounds, but some are more prevalent and toxic than others.

The types of mycotoxins depend on the fungal species or mold that causes it. Categories of mycotoxins are numerous and some of them are the following: Aflatoxins, Alternaria toxins, Emerging fusarium mycotoxins, Ergot alkaloids, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins, Patulin, Sterigmatocystin, Trichothecenes, Zearalenone, Fusarins, Atranone, Macrocyclic trichothecene, 2α-Acetoxystachybotrydial acetate, Satratoxin, Stachybotrychromene, Stachybotrylactam, Black mycotoxins, etc.

Common Health Risks from Mold Mycotoxins Found in Buildings

The most common indoor mold types that cause allergic reactions include Alternaria, aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium. These allergies can manifest as nasal congestion, watery eyes, cough, etc.

Prolonged exposure to indoor mold mycotoxins can lead to the following health issues:

• Digestion difficulty and nausea
• Damage to the lungs
• Suppressed immunity, dizziness, and fatigue
• Nasal congestion, cough, and postnasal drip
• Itchy eyes, throat, and/or nose
• Dry, scaly skin
• Unexplained allergic reactions

Black Mold Mycotoxins

As the name implies, black mold mycotoxins are produced by black mold. And the term black mold refers to a blanket name that refers to different fungi. It is often used to refer to Stachybotrys chartarum, a type of mold most common in water-damaged buildings. They grow on damp surfaces.

However, black mold can also refer to Rhizopus stolonifer. This is a type of mold that commonly grows on bread surfaces and propagates through thread-like mucoralean.

WebMed states that black mold grows on cotton, wood, and paper products if the relative humidity and temperature are favorable. Mold also needs a food source and oxygen supply to thrive. Black mold produces mycotoxins that spread through their spores and fungi fragments suspended in the air.

Some black mold mycotoxins symptoms in humans include allergies, asthma, and hypersensitivities. Others also claim they cause fatigue, memory loss, headache, and inability to maintain focus.

Black Mold Exposure Symptoms

But how do you know you have been exposed to black mold? The symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common black mold exposure symptoms include the following:

• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Postnasal drip
• Itching of the eyes, throat, and/or nose
• Dry and flaky skin
• Other allergic reactions.

How do you identify black mold in your home?

Look for the following signs if you suspect your property is contaminated:

1. Presence of dark spots or clusters in warm and humid rooms
2. Musty smell
3. Escalated cases of allergies or asthma
4. Warped walls
5. Spotted clothing
6. Persistent cough or cold
7. Tarnished tiles.

What Are the Health Risks Caused by Other Mold Mycotoxins?

Mold mycotoxins have acute and chronic health concerns often characterized by carcinogenic, mutagenic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, genotoxic, and/or biotoxicological elements. Aflatoxin mycotoxin is the most toxic compound linked to many health problems, including liver cancer. Mycotoxicosis in humans can also be caused by citrinin, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, patulin, trichothecenes, zearalenone, and ergot alkaloids.

Mycotoxins' health risks range from acute poisoning to long-term immunosuppression. Once mycotoxins enter the human body, they inhibit protein synthesis and particle clearance in the lung. They damage the macrophage system. Macrophages are white blood cells of the immune system that destroy pathogens or foreign substances without the protein structure specific to healthy body cells.

With a weakened immunity, the body cannot defend itself from harmful invaders. And apart from immunodeficiency, mycotoxicosis in humans also includes cancer.

According to an article in Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology, mycotoxins illness depends on the mycotoxin type that causes it. It focuses on ingestion-related mycotoxicosis in humans caused by aflatoxins and other mycotoxins. The article explains pulmonary, neurologic, immunologic, and hematologic toxicity, cancer, and other diseases caused by mycotoxins.

In summary, the health risks of mold mycotoxins from food include the following:

• Aflatoxins - cause hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and immune suppression.
• Zearalenone - causes hormonal imbalances, reproductive defects, and an increased cancer incidence.
• Patulin - causes gastrointestinal irritation, stomach pain, gastritis, and neurological damage.
• Fumonisins - cause kidney damage, increased cancer risk, hepatotoxicity, and weakened immunity.
• Deoxynivalenol - causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc.
• Trichothecenes - cause genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and a weakened immune system.
• Ochratoxin A - causes upper urinary tract diseases, nephrotoxicity, genotoxicity (both chromosomal and DNA damage), carcinogenicity, and weakened immunity.

How Can You Prevent Mold-Related Mycotoxicosis?

The best mycotoxins treatment is to prevent their occurrence in the first place. Many techniques to do this exist, one of which is physical control. This involves getting rid of mold and removing generalized dirt from your property. You can consider mold remediation services if your property has been affected by flood recently or if you have symptoms of black mold exposure listed in this article. Contact our professionals to prevent the risk of causing further contamination.

What Can Be Done to Reduce the Risk of Mycotoxicosis?

Prevention of mycotoxicosis is the first step in reducing health risks associated with these toxic compounds. You can be precautious when handling cereals and other foodstuffs and keeping your home mold-free, which includes doing the following:

1. Regular cleaning of bathroom, kitchen, and other areas likely to be contaminated by mold.
2. Ensure proper ventilation - leaving windows open after a shower and keeping the HVAC in top shape helps lower the moisture level.
3. Use dehumidifiers, if possible, to keep indoor relative humidity low.
4. Always use indoor purifiers with HEPA filters to remove allergens such as mold spores.
5. Fix leaks in the roof or plumbing system to reduce moisture and dampness.
6. Clean rain gutters regularly to unlock water drainage.
7. Clean and dry your home at most 48 hours after flooding.
8. Don't use carpets in rooms with high humidity, like the kitchen, bathroom, and basements.
9. Never leave old books, newspapers, and wood pieces on the shelves for a long time.
10. Always clean mold-contaminated areas before painting.
11. Always clean furniture and other pieces of interior which have sustained water damage or mold contamination.
12. Inspect cereals and all other foodstuffs for signs of mold before eating.
13. Properly store foodstuff in sealed and dry containers or packages to avoid contamination and discard all contaminated foods.
14. Avoid keeping food too long on the shelf before using them.
15. Buy fresh nuts and grains whenever possible.

Lastly, consider mold remediation services whenever you suspect mold contamination in your home. This can be challenging for beginners because of the complex steps and safety standards involved. FDP Mold Remediation has a team of professionals always at your service and will expertly make your property mold-free. Reach out now for a timely response.