Airborne mold spores and mycotoxins in homes, offices, crawlspaces, basements, attics may lead to health issues for homeowners in Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.
Pacific Decontamination Services kills both surface and airborne mold spores and mycotoxins.
WHAT ARE MYCOTOXINS?
Mycotoxins are the toxic chemical substances that certain types of molds produce. These fungal toxins are volatile organic compounds amongst other things. Mycotoxins are as small as 0.1 microns. For reference, mold spores are between 1 and 20 microns.
THE MOST COMMON AND DANGEROUS MYCOTOXIN PRODUCING MOLDS ARE:
Alternaria
Aspergillus
Chaetomium
Cladosporium
Fusarium
Myrothecium
Penicillium
Stachybotrys
Trichoderma
Thrichothecium
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF MYCOTOXINS?
There are over 400 mycotoxins, most of which are cytotoxic (toxic to living cells).
ARE MYCOTOXINS DANGEROUS?
Yes. The toxic effect of mycotoxins on animal and human health is referred to as mycotoxicosis.
Mycotoxins have four basic kinds of toxicity: acute, chronic, mutagenic and teratogenic. In addition to these, mycotoxins can be carcinogenic, estrogenic, hemorrhagic, immunotoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, dermatoxic and neurotoxic. Molecular structures of mycotoxins vary widely, so their effects on human and animal health also vary widely. The extent of adverse effects of mycotoxins on human or animals health mainly depends on the extent of exposure (dosage and period), type of mycotoxins, physiological and nutritional status as well as possible synergistic effects of other chemicals to which the animals or humans are exposed.
Mycotoxins can affect all organ systems, but individual mycotoxins usually target specific organ systems. Species differences are generally related to severity of effect, although in some cases target organs may differ according to species. Some mycotoxins cause primarily acute and highly reversible effects, others cause irreversible organ damage, and still others cause both acute and chronic effects, depending upon exposure levels, time course, and other circumstances.
The most commonly induced diseases include liver cancer, kidney failure, and effects on the brain or nervous system.
Some people are more susceptible to getting mycotoxicosis than others, and this is due to the pharmacogenetic variability where specific gene mutations such as cytochrome genes could either increase or decrease the metabolic activity (cytotoxicity) of the challenging mycotoxins
In addition, about 25% of North Americans also carry a gene called HLA-DR (human leukocyte antigen) that makes it more difficult for them to excrete mycotoxins. In people with the HLA-DR gene, their body is unable to recognize toxins as a foreign invader, so they don’t produce the antibodies needed to remove mycotoxins. This population is also more likely to develop Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), an out-of-control inflammatory response to toxins.
Aside from the fact that mycotoxins are known inhibitors of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, they have the ability to destroy human health (mentally and physically), and never appear in an autopsy. This is why they are used in biological warfare.
Frequently, mycotoxicosis remain unrecognized by medical professionals.
Are mycotoxins making you sick – read our blog
HOW DO MYCOTOXINS GET INTO THE BODY?
Mycotoxins may enter the human and animal system in one of three ways. Ingestion, dermal, or inhalation.
When mycotoxins are ingested, they enter the body either by indirect or direct contamination. Direct contamination occurs when a food or feed becomes infected with a toxigenic fungus with subsequent toxin formation.
In contrast, indirect contamination can take place when an ingredient of a process has previously been contaminated with toxin-producing fungi and while the fungus itself may be killed or removed during processing, the mycotoxin will mostly remain in the final product. And example of this is cereal.
Mycotoxins can enter the body through the skin (dermal) or the eyes. The eyes are actually the easiest and most direct way that mycotoxins enter the body systems. If mycotoxins enter the body through the skin, this is most likely because your body was in direct, recurring contact with a contaminated source (clothing, linens, furniture, car). Typically this is the least common entry point for mycotoxins.
MYCOTOXINS FROM MOLD
Mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by fungi or mold. They can be toxic for humans when they are eaten, absorbed into the skin, or inhaled. A small amount of mycotoxin can be damaging to human or animal health and even cause death. Poisoning by mycotoxins is called mycotoxicosis.
MYCOTOXINS FROM MOLD CAN BECOME AIRBORNE
Mycotoxins are present in the air and therefore easily inhaled. They make their way through the sinuses or mouth and into the body.
HOW TOXIC MOLD SPREADS
The wet coating of a toxic black mold colony usually prevents its spores from becoming airborne. If its moisture source runs out though, a toxic black mold colony can dry out and release many of its spores into the air. When toxic black mold is dry it looks gray and powdery. Other things like changes in humidity can also trigger the release of toxic black mold spores.
Disturbing toxic black mold can also cause a lot of toxic spores to enter the air. This is why you should never disturb or try to remove toxic black mold if you find it in your home. Removing toxic black mold is much more dangerous than removing ordinary mold and it should only be done by a professional. Pacific Decontamination Services kills both surface and airborne mold spores and mycotoxins.
Toxic black mold spores are heavy compared to other mold spores and so they do not remain in the air for very long. If toxic black spores do not land on a suitable surface to grow on then they die soon after being released. The dead spores are still just as toxic to humans though.
Learn more about The Facts of Mold
HOW LONG ARE MYCOTOXINS TOXIC FOR?
Mycotoxins are toxic for a very long time. According to experts, trichothecene mycotoxins can remain toxic for several years.
HOW DO YOU KILL MYCOTOXINS?
We neutralize your mold, spores and mycotoxins by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical into your home, attic, crawlspace, or basement. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog. We do not use a tent. The average time of our on-site service is approximately one hour. An additional four hours is required to achieve maximum effectiveness. We ask that you stay out of the premise for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.
Pacific Decontamination Services kills both surface and airborne mold spores and mycotoxins.
Pacific Decontamination Services uses the world’s strongest, most effective and safe antimicrobial disinfectant, deodorization and chemical decontaminate. Our professional application will eliminate up to accepted levels of any allergen, germ, mycotoxin, bacteria or fungus that it touches. AND as powerful as it is, it is also completely safe.
What do you do next? How do you solve the challenge of mold and associated health hazards?
Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!
Serving All of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni
