Mold and your health

Section 1.0Common reactions

CDC lists a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes and skin rash as reactions some people have¹. EPA lists sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash as allergic responses², and says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs of people with and without allergies³.

Section 2.0Who is most at risk

• People with asthma or mold allergies may have severe reactions⁴.
• Mold can set off asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to it⁵.
• People with weak immune systems or long term lung disease can get lung infections from mold⁶.
• NIEHS says studies show exposure can raise the risk of developing asthma or make it worse, especially in young children⁷.

Section 3.0Black mold and toxic mold

CDC describes Stachybotrys chartarum as greenish black⁸. CDC says its symptoms are nonspecific⁹ and that all molds should be treated the same for health risk and removal¹⁰. EPA says symptoms beyond allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported from breathing mold¹¹. NIEHS says most molds are not harmful, but a few species can hurt human health¹².

Section 4.0What a test cannot tell you

CDC says no test proves a link between Stachybotrys and a person's particular symptoms¹³. Testing your home will not answer a medical question.

Section 5.0When to talk to a professional

EPA says to consult a health professional for more detailed health information, and before starting cleanup if you have health concerns¹⁴. Anyone with asthma, a weak immune system or lung disease should leave cleanup to someone else.

Section 6.0Protect yourself during cleanup

CDC says an N95 respirator at a minimum, plus goggles and gloves¹⁵. EPA says a respirator must fit properly to work¹⁶.