Mold and Lung Cancer

For years, nonsmokers have largely considered themselves safe from the specter of lung cancer. This confidence was shaken in the 1990s with the appearance of new studies suggesting links between lung cancer and mold. While it has been long established that rare forms of toxic mold can cause other cancers, lung cancer was a new threat. There is still controversy regarding whether or not evidence supports the link.

Mycotoxins

• Mycotoxins are a by-product of some molds. They are a toxic substance than can be emitted from the mold spores into the surrounding atmosphere. According to the EPA, "Exposure pathways for mycotoxins can include inhalation, ingestion or skin contact." Many of these toxins have been shown to harm humans, and some have been suspected to cause cancers. Due the sheer variety of molds in the world, not all mycotoxins and their effects have been identified.

Aflatoxin B1

• The most suspect of all mycotoxins is Aflatoxin B1. This is the mycotoxin most linked to lung cancer. Besides being found in tobacco, this mold is commonly found in minute amounts on foods, such as grains and peanuts. Aflatoxin is one of the only mycotoxins identified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a definite carcinogen. The question is whether or not the evidence supports aflatoxin B1 as a cause, specifically, of lung cancer.

Lack of Evidence

• While suspicions are strong and the evidence is not fully gathered, there is currently very little scientific evidence to link the mycotoxins in mold to lung cancer. While the EPA suggests a link, other scientific institutions, including the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the Federal Institute of Medicine and the American College of Medical Toxicology all say there is no truth to the claim.

Fraud Exposed

• In 2005 an article in "Forbes" magazine sought to debunk the myth of mold and lung cancer. They did this by focusing on one fraud: Dr. Ordog, who earned thousands of dollars providing "expert testimony" in court cases involving mold causing lung cancer. The article exposed that no science existed to back up Dr. Ordog's expensive claims, and that a study by the "International Journal of Toxicology" concluded "that even at 200,000 spores per cubic meter a person couldn't inhale enough toxins to get sick."

Proven Health Troubles

• Even though there is no proven connection between mold and lung cancer, mold is the proven cause of many other health problems. These include, mucous membrane irritation, skin rash, nausea, immune-system suppression, acute or chronic liver damage, acute or chronic central nervous system damage, endocrine effects and other types of cancer, particularly liver. For good health of the entire body, it is wise to avoid exposure to mold.