Mold

Mold spores and mycotoxins can eject quite a way from the mold itself, especially if there is air movement, or if the mold is dying or disturbed. Five feet away definitely is not safe, unfortunately. Some can react strongly for days from just having spent a moment in a moldy space. It's worth noting that many species of mold are not healthy for anyone to breathe in regularly, although not everyone has a noticeable reaction right away. Mycotoxin illness is a tricky business!

@walkingbyfaith - is there a way to know/test if you are sensitive to mold?

USSBainbridge said...
Mold question: does anyone know how physically close you have to be to mold in order for it to have any adverse impact on you? Like if you are 5 feet away from some mold for 5-10 mins a day will that make you feel worse etc?

just being in a house or outdoors with mild and not being able to see it bt just breath that air in can make u really sick with mold toxicity. I'm also allergic to mold plus have mold toxicity. Some ppl like me.neber even knew I was getting sick from mold sometimes I can't see it. Also heard it can cause brain fogginess and memory loss in a matter of just minutes to being exposed to it.

It’s not just spores. Spores typically cause allergies in those allergic. Mycotoxins is what causes toxicity. It’s inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption.

When mold remediation is done properly, workers wear full head to toe HAZMAT suits, full face respirators, and eye goggles.
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This is from my last mycotoxin report:

“Ochratoxin: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, and carcinogenic mycotoxin. This chemical is produced by molds in the Aspergillus and Penicillium families. Exposure is done primarily through water damaged buildings. Minimal exposure can occur through contaminated foods such as cereals, grape juices, dairy, spices, wine, dried vine fruit, and coffee. Exposure to OTA can also come from inhalation exposure in water-damaged buildings. OTA can lead to kidney disease and adverse neurological effects. Studies have shown that OTA can lead to significant oxidative damage to multiple brain regions and is highly nephrotoxic. Dopamine levels in the brain of mice have been shown to be decreased after exposure to OTA. Some studies have hypothesized that OTA may contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Treatment should be aimed at removing the source of exposure. Agents such as oral cholestyramine, charcoal, and phenylalanine can help prevent the absorption of these toxins from food. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, C, NAC, rosmarinic acid, and liposomal glutathione alone or in combination have been shown to mitigate the oxidative effects of the toxin. Bentonite or zeolite clay is reported to reduce the absorption of multiple mycotoxins found in food, including OTA. Studies have also shown that OTA is present in sweat, which supports the use of sauna as a treatment to increase the excretion of OTA. (PMID 17195275, 16621780, 16293235, 27521635, 22069626, 24792326, 22253638, 16140385, 2467220, 16844142, 19148691, 22069658, 16019795, 18286403, 15781206, 11439224, 17092826, 32710148)

Gliotoxin: Gliotoxin (GTX) is produced by the mold genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus spreads in the environment by releasing conidia which are capable of infiltrating the small alveolar airways of individuals. In order to evade the body’s defenses Aspergillus releases Gliotoxin to inhibit the immune system. One of the targets of Gliotoxin is PtdIns (3,4,5) P3. This results in the downregulation of phagocytic immune defense, which can lead to the exacerbation of polymicrobial infections. Gliotoxin impairs the activation of T-cells and induces apoptosis in monocytes and in monocyte-derived dendritic cells. These impairments can lead to multiple neurological syndromes. (PMID: 16712786, 27048806, 21575912, 23278106)

Zearalenone: Zearalenone (ZEA) is mycotoxin that is produced by the mold species Fusarium, and has been shown to be hepatotoxic, haematotoxic, immunotoxic, and genotoxic. ZEA exposure is mostly through water damaged buildings, although ZEA is commonly found on several foods in the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The foods known to be contaminated with ZEA include wheat, barley, rice, and maize. ZEA has estrogenic activity and exposure to ZEA can lead to reproductive changes. ZEA estrogenic activity is higher than that of other non-steroidal isoflavones (compounds that have estrogen-like effects) such as soy and clover. ZEA exposure can result in thymus atrophy and alter spleen lymphocyte production, as well as impaired lymphocyte immune response, which leads to patients being susceptible to disease. ZEA is deactivated primarily through glucuronidation; individuals with impairments to this pathway will be much more susceptible to this compound even at very low levels. Treatment with the antioxidants lycopene and resveratrol has been beneficial in negating the harmful effects of ZEA in several studies. Bentonite or zeolite clay is reported to reduce the absorption of multiple mycotoxins, including ZEA. (PMID: 17045381, 19330061, 11384734, 1387742, 698923, 1599403, 2276698, 22645433, 24632555, 6239410, 6235161, 24503513, 25682699, 27489133, 15781206, 11439224, 17092826, 16095665, 16782537, 17561436, 11245394)”