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January 06, 2006

Researchers dismiss toxic mould syndrome

Review of cases shows almost all have alternative medical or

psychiatric explanations

The majority of people who think they're sick because of toxic mould

actually have some other explanation for their illness, according to

an Oregon study.

A team led by Dr. Emil Bardana, professor of medicine at the Oregon

Health and Science University in Portland, reviewed the cases of 50

people who claimed compensation for toxic mould disease. In all

cases there were alternative medical and/or psychiatric explanations

for the claimed illnesses.

Overall, the researchers found only two of the 50 subjects even had

evidence of mould-related allergic disease attributable to their

home or workplace. Bardana says 17 complained of general symptoms

that could not be linked to mould exposure. These included headache,

irritability, cognitive impairment and fatigue.

Moulds typically cited as causing health problems are Stachybotrys

chartarum, Aspergillus, Fusarium and Penicillium. Physical symptoms

may include sleep deprivation, loss of appetite, fatigue, headaches,

dizziness, vague aches and pains, and respiratory problems.

Psychological and cognitive symptoms include irritability, panic,

anxiety, poor concentration and confusion.

However, Bardana says specific toxicity due to inhaled moulds has

not been scientifically established by any published study.

Fungi, including moulds, are spore-producing organisms that comprise

approximately 25 per cent of the Earth's biomass and function as

decomposers of organic material, says Dr. Weber, professor

of medicine at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in

Denver. He says only about 80 of the 1.5 million species of fungi

are known to provoke allergic reactions.

" Indoor levels of airborne fungi are generally below outdoor levels

of similar species in a well-constructed home without water damage.

We have found 30 to 70 per cent of recovered indoor spores come from

outside sources, " Weber says. " There are tons of moulds that we are

exposed to every day in our homes and outside, and the question is

what is an abnormal exposure. "

Weber agrees many people attribute physical and psychological

symptoms to mould exposure when the symptoms are actually being

caused by other factors. He says misinformation by the media and

even doctors may be contributing to this problem.

" There are well-defined problems that people can get into with

(mould) exposures, " Weber says. " However, are mould toxins as big a

problem as we think they may be? The problem is we just don't know.

There is not enough information and there are also not enough good

ways of assessing the impact of some of these toxins on patients. "

However, it is well-documented that sensitivity to fungi may be

common in asthmatics. Increased outdoor fungal spore counts have

been associated with increased asthma emergency room visits and

hospitalizations.

With files from The Medical Post.