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Tag: mucormycosis

  • Airborne Mold Spores and Mycotoxins

    Airborne Mold Spores and Mycotoxins

    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 99.9999% 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

  • Can Black Mold and Mycotoxins Harm You?

    Can Black Mold and Mycotoxins Harm You?

    Black mold 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.

    There are many types of black mold. Stachybotrys chartarum is usually the one referred to as ” toxic mold.” All molds can cause symptoms in people who are sensitive to or allergic to mold. But there is no reason to believe that black mold is any more dangerous than other types or colors of mold.

    What Is Black Mold?

    Stachybotrys chartarum is a common black mold. It can also be a greenish color. It grows on cotton, wood, and paper products. It sometimes produces toxic chemicals that are found in its airborne spores and fungus fragments.

    These are called mycotoxins and are dangerous if they’re eaten. There’s no link to inhaled Stachybotrys chartarum mycotoxins and deadly diseases. But there are risks for people with allergies, asthma, and other hypersensitivities.

    There is no evidence that black mold causes symptoms such as fatigue, memory loss, an inability to focus, or a headache. These symptoms have been referred to as “toxic mold syndrome” but are largely due to media hype. Yet some people are allergic to mold. It should always be removed from your home.

    What Causes Black Mold?

    Molds are an important part of our environment. They decompose dead plants and animals. All types of mold will grow if the conditions are right. Mold grows and spreads quickly in the right conditions, which include:

    Moisture level (humidity) at or over 70%

    Adequate food source (such as drywall)

    Oxygen

    Temperatures that range from 40 to 100 degrees F

    Mold can grow anywhere in your house that provides these conditions. The most likely places mold will grow are:

    Anywhere that there has been a water leak.

    Damp rooms without adequate ventilation, such as bathrooms.

    Basements where humidity tends to be higher.

    Any areas with a lot of water condensation.

    Any areas where flooding has occurred.

    Symptoms of Black Mold Exposure

    Mold can cause symptoms in people who are allergic to them or in people who are exposed for a prolonged period. The most common symptoms of mold exposure include:

    Coughing

    Postnasal drip

    Sneezing

    Dry, scaly skin

    Itchy eyes, nose, or throat

    Nasal congestion

    Be careful if you have asthma. Mold exposure may trigger an attack. Symptoms of a mold-induced asthma attack can be any of the following:

    Wheezing

    Shortness of breath

    Coughing

    Chest tightness

    How to Prevent Mold

    Controlling moisture is the key to preventing mold from growing in your home. The following tips will help stop mold from becoming a problem:

    Keep the humidity in your house below 50%. Using an air conditioner or dehumidifier can help with this.

    Make sure your house is clean, dry, and well-ventilated.

    Fix any water leaks immediately.

    Use ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathrooms.

    Don’t put carpet in rooms that are likely to become wet such as the basement, kitchen, or bathrooms.

    Make sure wet floor mats are dried quickly.

    What Can You Do?

    In most situations, Pacific Decontamination Services can neutralize your mold up 99.99999%. If our spray, fog or foam can touch it, we can neutralize it.  Our services come at a fraction of the cost as compared to the expensive approaches like soda / dry ice blasting, hepa vacuuming, scrubbing, removal of insulation and deconstruction and reconstruction of the attic and roof.


    We neutralize the mold in your attic, crawl space, home, building, vehicle, or property by applying our eco-friendly, safe chemical on all surfaces and airborne, focusing our efforts on the visible mold areas. Depending on the job, we apply our formula by spray, mist, foam, or fog. We further kill all airborne mold spores in your attic. 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 attic for approximately 5 hours in total. Read more about how we work.

    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 99.99999% of any allergen, germ, 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 at our email address: contact @ pacificdecon dot com

    Serving All of Vancouver Island: Victoria, Cowichan, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni.

  • Mucormycosis – Black Fungus Mold

    Mucormycosis – Black Fungus Mold

    Homeowners in Nanaimo, Duncan, Parksville, Qualicum, Courtenay, Campbell River, Port Alberni and all other locations on Vancouver Island many times ask the question: Who do I call for Black Fungus Mold – Mucormycosis.

    Reports of Mucormycosis – ‘black fungus’ – attacking covid patients in India began surfacing in early May. It is particularly alarming since the survival rate is low, and those who do survive may suffer loss of the eyes, nose, sinuses, and upper jaw. Scary stuff.

    In one reported case from 2000, an American man in Kentucky who barely survived subsequently required a prosthetic face. Reports at the time were that he likely inhaled the fungi while gardening.

    There are claims, however, that may lead some to mistakenly think that Mucormycosis can be found among common household mold. Not so fast. While having mold indoors is never a good idea, the chance of contracting Mucormycosis from indoor household mold has to be put in perspective.

    According to the the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:

    “Mucormycetes, the group of fungi that cause mucormycosis, are present throughout the environment, particularly in soil and in association with decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, and animal dung. They are more common in soil than in air, and in summer and fall than in winter or spring. Most people come in contact with microscopic fungal spores every day, so it’s probably impossible to completely avoid coming in contact with mucormycetes. These fungi aren’t harmful to most people. However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in mucormycete spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body.”

    Losing your face, or your life, to a very rare fungus that is more commonly found in the soil than the air, and mainly afflicts the immune compromised, is statistically not the first reason for household mold remediation. No need to panic about Mucormycosis floating around inside your home.

    Still, overall health can be effected by household mold, and wet Vancouver Island winters can give rise to mold growth under conditions of high humidity and poor ventilation. If you’ve got it, you probably want to get rid of it. 

    Pacific Decontamination can give you the right information, and take the kind of quick, thorough, detailed, and effective response you require. And if you think you’ve got mold but are uncertain, we can test for it.

    Since Mucormycosis is rather low on the risk scale for threats inside your living space, if that’s all you want to eliminate then lottery tickets might be a better investment. 

    But household mold still ought to be addressed for other health and aesthetic reasons. Pacific Decontamination will work with you on moving toward that healthy mold-free home.

    Call us at

    Call Pacific Decontamination Services at 778-269-0208 or email us!
    Serving All of Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum, Port Alberni, Comox, Courtenay, Campbell River, and all of Vancouver Island:

    www.PacificDecontamination.com