|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Black Mold & Lung Ailments

Black mold, also known as toxic black mold, usually refers to Stachybotrys chartarum (atra), but not all black mold is of this type. Stachybotrys grows only on wet wood or paper and has been linked to lung ailments and other problems.

  1. Bleeding Lungs

    • Stachybotrys has been suspected of causing an outbreak of bleeding lungs in infants in the Cleveland area in 1997. This has not been proven.

    Mycotoxins

    • Mycotoxins are a kind of poison produced by Stachybotrys that can be inhaled. Inhalation of these toxins can result in coughing and wheezing.

    Allergic Reactions

    • All molds produce spores that can be inhaled. Spores can cause allergic reactions in some people, which include coughing and buildup of fluids in the lungs.

    Asthma

    • Any type of mold can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms, which is a restriction of the airways in the lungs.

    Pneumonia

    • High exposure to any type of mold can cause a rare condition that is similar to bacterial pneumonia.

Public Health - Related Articles