We have many clients at the Metabolic Institute who are sensitive to mold and mycotoxins.
When our clients test positive for mycotoxins we must ask, where is the exposure coming from?
The first and obviously place to consider is the home.
One of the biggest misconceptions about mold is that mold can’t grow in dry climates like
Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Unfortunately, that is simply not the case. Mold needs
water, oxygen, and a food source to grow, and many species of molds can grow with very little
water. It only takes four walls, a roof, and a water event to start a toxic mold problem.
Another misconception is that new homes are “mold-free.” All homes, new and old, have some
level of mold because this type of fungus is abundant in the environment. It is nature’s
composter and partly responsible for breaking down organic matter, turning it into soil. Mold
spores from the outdoors can come in on shoes, pets, or even on cloths after working in the
yard or garden. However, these outdoor molds don’t cause chronic inflammatory response
syndrome (CIRS), also known as mold toxicity. Molds that produce mycotoxins and make people
sick are specific to water damaged buildings and are referred to as opportunistic. They grow
and thrive in places like our homes, basements, crawlspaces, and even attics, where other soil
and environmental microorganisms don’t exist to keep their colonization in check.
Any water event in a home can trigger mold growth. Some examples of water events include:
– Leaky pipes under skins in kitchens and baths
– Leaky hot water heaters
– Leaky ice machines behind refrigerators
– Leaky washing machines or failed drainage systems
– Failed condensate pumps on HVAC systems
– Water intrusion through basements or crawlspaces
– Roof leaks and ice dams
– Condensation on windows, uninsulated ductwork, or uninsulated pipes
– Spills and other water accidents that didn’t get immediate attention and proper drying
If a water event happens to occur, it is very important to address it right away! Some molds can
start growing within 24 hours of water exposure.
Keep your home safe from toxic mold by:
– Keeping up with regular home maintenance tasks
– Inspecting appliances regularly
– Insuring sprinkler systems don’t spray the foundation
– Inspecting roofs and attics often
– Insuring gutter down spouts drain away from the home
– Address any water event promptly