Title: What are Mould Spores and Why are They so Dangerous to Health? by Jackson Kungu

Mould spores are tiny structures produced by moulds for reproduction purposes. They are so small that we can hardly see some of them even when magnified 400 times. One cubic meter of outdoor air may contain

as many as 100,000 spores. The volume of air we inspire at rest per minute is estimated at 10 litres. Therefore, in an hour we inhale close to 600,000 spores. The air in working environments including mouldy buildings may contain up to 1,000,000,000 spores per cubic meter of air.

In indoor environments moulds grow on moist surfaces such as the drywall, wallpaper, carpet, baseboards and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVACs). As these moulds grow, a stage is reached when they produce spores. The spores become airborne after drying out or disturbed.

Why are these spores so dangerous to our health?

About 20% of the population is allergic to mould spores. Apart from being allergenic, spores of some mould species such as Stachybotrys contain toxic compounds called mycotoxins. Symptoms associated with mould spores may include allergy, headache and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, coughing, pneumonia and Asthma among others. Young children, the elderly and people undergoing medical treatment are particularly susceptible to mould spores.

How can we control indoor mould spores?

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BIO:

Dr. Jackson Kung’u is a Microbiologist who has specialised in the field of mycology (the study of moulds and yeasts). Dr. Kung’u provides how-to advice and identification services for indoor mould and bacteria to homeowners, environmental consultants, institutions and indoor air quality professionals across Canada. Get more information about indoor mould and bacteria at http://www.moldbacteria.com.

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