5 myths about mold to clear it up for those of us with mold illness, or CIRS (chronic inflammatory response syndrome), and those we need to tell. There have been many down through the years. I remember all kinds of them. Those of us with mold illness know better, so here are some things you can tell people when they say it is all in your head or other things.
Myth #1 – Mold is everywhere and it is harmless. And it’s been here from the beginning of time.
“He must burn the fabric, the woven or knitted material of wool or linen, or any leather article that has been spoiled; because the defiling mold is persistent, the article must be burned.” Leviticus 13:52
Molds have undeniably been around forever. But as you can see from scripture, it has been causing health problems for a very long time.
There are theories that fungi have mutated because of the widespread use of anti-fungal chemicals and other environmental toxins. Most used on crops, in paints, and building materials. Also, the way we construct buildings now brings in the toxic mold, feeds it, and spreads it. Our buildings are not water tight. But the conditions in them make those fungi thrive.
Myth #2 – The only problem is the mold or their mycotoxins.
Unfortunately, mold is not the only organism found in water-damaged buildings. There are other unclean things, like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can spark and bolster this multisystem, multi-symptom illness known as chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS) or mold illness.
Also, mycotoxins are just one of the toxins produced by these micro-organisms. Others include endotoxins and exotoxins, microbial VOCs (mVOCs), beta-glucans, mannans, fungal fragments, building VOCs, nanoparticles and more.
Myth #3 – Black mold (Stachybotrys) is the most dangerous mold.
It is true that Stachbotrys chartarum, (STACK-E-BO-TRIS) is usually black when using stuff like drywall as a food source, but it is not always that color. Also, there are other toxic molds can be many colors ranging from white, brown, green, red, and yellow.
Chaetomium globosum (KEY-TOE-ME-UM) have a fondness for watery areas as well. Other molds such as Wallemia sebi and a couple of species of Aspergillus get into the air easier and grow in less wet surroundings.
Myth #4 – There is no mold if you can’t see it.
By the time we can see mold with the naked eye, it has already grown to a colony of millions of cells growing together. And by that time, it has already metastasized into the air to create colonies in other places.
It can create health problems long before you ever see it. It can also hide in places you can’t see and be in large quantities. Places like dust, carpet, hidden in wall or ceiling cavities, HVAC/air conditioning systems, subfloors or basements.
Myth #5 – To get rid of mold you must kill it.
Dead mold is worse than living mold because it breaks down into pieces that are easily diffused into the air. Both the pieces and the toxins attached to them can be a major source of inflammation when inhaled. Also mold will produce more when being killed or threatened.
You can use microfibre cloths, mild soap and elbow grease to clean small areas. You should also use HEPA vacuuming of all surfaces as needed and HEPA air scrubbers. But if you are already sick I don’t recommend that you do this yourself.
Use a reputable remediator, but not one whose primary remediation effort will be fogging, gassing or use of other mold killing strategies including essential oils. This especially applies to bleach which merely strips the color while adding moisture, which mold loves
So in conclusion
Mold is everywhere, but it is also harmful. There are usually other organisms and toxins with the mold and it’s toxins. There are many toxic molds. The ones you can’t see can hurt you. And mold is a survivor, it will fight back if you try to kill it.
If you have been dealing with a mysterious illness and want to regain your strength and energy so you can live a purposeful life again, click here to get “Could my mysterious illness be from mold?
