Some Non-Mold Spore Type Indoor Air Contaminants
For part 1 of this 2 part article click here and learn about non mold indoor air contaminants found in water damaged buildings.
In this article part #2 we identify specific non mold indoor air contaminants associated with water damaged buildings.
Lady holding her nose as a reaction to foul mold odors or other odors from indoor contaminates. Bad smells are a common warning of indoor air contaminants.
Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds or MVOC’s
Microbial volatile organic compounds are a serious concern that deserves more recognition. They are a causative agent in building related illness complaints. This may be the most problematic of all non-mold spores indoor air contaminants found in water damaged buildings. Allergens released by mold get all the attention now. Mold allergens are not volatile, this means that they typically stay in the mold spores and mold mycelium fibers. If your mold is trapped in a wall you will not be exposed to spores or allergens. Thus, you will not have an allergic reaction to spore-based allergens. Volatile organic compounds on the other hand evaporate quickly into the air at room temperature.
Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds and Health
One all too familiar volatile organic compound released by a type of fungus is alcohol. Ever drink alcohol? This fungal produced volatile compound makes you feel good at first, but over time it can have some negative effects.
Many people living in FEMA trailers can tell you that it is not pleasant to breath in this volatile organic compound. When you walk into a moldy home, or turn on a moldy AC unit, it is volatile organic compounds from mold that you are smelling. It is a fact that these fumes can and do cause upper respiratory reactions. Even when spore levels are not elevated indoors these fumes cause problems. It is this author’s personal belief that these fungal odors or fumes are to blame for very many health problems in wet buildings. This is why people are often sick when spore levels are low. These fumes escaping from inside walls and AC ducts may not be perceptible to most noses. This experienced inspector often detects even low levels of them and has seen since starting mold investigations in 2003 a direct correlation between these fumes and sickness.
Clear jelly like mass of bacteria on a cold pipe in a wet indoor environment.
Bacteria and Endotoxins
Bacteria and endotoxins from bacteria are not uncommon in wet buildings. As we all know, bacteria are simple one-celled organisms well known for causing infection in humans. What are endotoxins you may ask? Endotoxins are toxic substances found in the ridged cell walls of bacteria. The role of endotoxins in building related illness is not fully understood. However, these chemicals are known to be responsible for illness in humans is some instance. Injection of endotoxin into the blood streams of human volunteer’s produces fever, lowered blood pressure, and inflammation. Endotoxins from infections can also cause septic shock. Even tiny amounts of endotoxins in pharmaceuticals can cause problems so heat treatment is used to get rid of even trace levels of such substances.
Bacteria and endotoxins are important indoor air contaminants to consider. Breathing in endotoxins in wet buildings likely causes some problem as well but specifically what is not well understood. Regardless, breathing in bacteria and the endotoxins they contain is likely not a good thing.
Layer of dust on furniture with the word dust written in the dust with the inspector’s finger. Dust sometimes contains ultrafine fungal particles.
Ultrafine Fungal Particles
A scientist named Gorny and others did a study on the release of fungal fragments from mold contaminated ceiling tile and found very tiny particles of molds such as A. versicolor, C cladosporiodes, and P.melinii. They found that particles that were 1/3 of a micron across or about 1/6 Th the size of a small spore out-numbered spores 320 to 1. When an air sample is analyzed these tiny particle are not counted by the lab. Your lab might count, or might not count larger fungal fragments like mold fibers; However, these tiny particles are not counted when your mold inspector sends in samples.
Ultrafine fungal particles are a concern because of the massive numbers of these particles found in the air of moldy buildings. These tiny particles in addition to being very numerous also have a large surface area relative to internal area. When these fungal fragments are added together they have a large aggregate surface area. Thus, can convey larger exposure to allergens and toxins.
Mold spores are a source of Beta Glucans. But other mold components are also a sources of this unhealthy substance found in water damaged buildings. Most inspectors do not test for these exotic compounds. We find the mold and make recommendations to get rid of it.
Beta Glucans
Beta Glucans are a fiber-like component of fungal cell walls and spores. They can also be found in the tiny fungal particles discussed above. These substances are not harmful in every exposure.
For example B glucans are sometimes used in fiber supplements or sold in health food stores as immune system boosters. Bio-chemical characteristics make them able to stimulate immune system cells when used in low doses in supplements. Similar characteristics might cause them to stimulate the immune system to exhibit irritation or inflammation when breathed in during severe, uncontrolled, and undesirable, indoor exposure episodes in water damaged homes. Several laboratory studies have demonstrated this effect of beta glucan exposure. However, it seems that it may only affect certain sensitive people and when at high concentrations.
Round colony of toxic black mold.
Fungal Toxins
Fungal toxins are a major concern for many of our clients. Personally I do not believe that fungal toxins are likely to cause toxic reactions when breathed in. This is based on years of personal observations inside buildings and homes contaminated with various toxic molds. As far as I can tell I have not yet seen toxic reactions to mold in any of my clients or in myself after decades. What I see all the time is allergy reactions. Of course, I am not a doctor. As is true with bacterial endotoxins it is best to avoid being exposed to toxins. As is the case with all the items discussed in this article we still have much to learn about indoor bio-contaminates and our bodies’ reactions to them.
Microscopic image of a dust mite. Dust mites look like fat spiders and release allergens.
Dust Mites and Other Arthropods Releasing Indoor Air Contaminants
Six legged insects such as roaches and eight legged arachnids such as dust mites are not rare in water damaged buildings. These creatures cannot turn on sink faucets, thus they need our help to find water. Many pests need leaky neglected plumbing fixtures if they want to find a simple drink of water indoors. Dust mites on the other hand do not need liquid water, all they need is moisture in the air. As we all know, roaches and dust mites can release problematic levels of microscopic allergens particles into the air. As a result, roaches and dust mites are important indoor air contaminant sources to consider.
Dust mites are known to be common in wet or humid buildings and when they breed indoors their droppings can build up to massive amounts and cause allergy problems among building occupants. In conclusion if you have conditions conductive to mold growth you probably also have dust mites as well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mold spores are not the only indoor air contaminants that can cause problems in a wet office, home, or other building. A wet indoor environment that has experienced prolonged water intrusion incidents may be a veritable cornucopia of invisible, poorly understood, and unhealthy agents working their way deep into your lungs. Because of the potential of various exposures in a water damaged building your mold consultant should not overlook the fact that many indoor contaminants can cause health complaints even if spore levels are not elevated.
Sources:
1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endotoxin
2) Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold Published by American Industrial hygiene Association
3) http://www.moldbacteria.com/mold/dampness-mould-house-dust-mites-allergy.html
4) http://www.emlab.com/s/sampling/env-report-06-2010.html
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