Molds and Mycotoxins (Toxic Molds) in Human Health
According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) it is commonly recognized that a large body of medical literature and extensive clinical experience indicates that sufficiently high exposures to indoor airborne mold can lead to disease in otherwise healthy individuals. Since environmental health has not been a focus of medical education, many physicians are not fully aware of the scope of mold related health problems and are inadequately equipped to investigate and manage possible cases of mold exposure in a timely fashion.
The AAEM further states exposure to significant levels of indoor mold can cause acute or chronic dysfunction or injury to all organ systems including the:
- respiratory;
- neurological;
- cardiovascular;
- genitourinary;
- gastrointestinal;
- musculoskeletal;
- immune (through both immediate and non-IgE mechanisms); and
- hematological systems.
In addition to the resulting more commonly considered respiratory conditions such as asthma and rhinosinusitis, exposure to mold proteins and mycotoxins has been associated with fatigue, reduced concentration, imbalance, poor memory and hemorrhagic disorders.