What to Know About Aspergillus Mold

Household mold is unsightly and a sign of excessive moisture and poor indoor air quality in your home. Some molds are harmless to most people, while others can be dangerous. Some species of Aspergillus mold are in the dangerous category. All indoor mold should be eliminated, but knowing the difference between harmless and harmful molds can help preserve your family’s health. We spoke to Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert, to learn all about Aspergillus mold, how and why it grows and how to get rid of it.

What Is Aspergillus Mold?

Rubino starts by explaining that “Aspergillus is considered a ‘common mold’ and is found in homes worldwide.” It’s a family of at least 250 species of mold first discovered in 1729 by an Italian priest and biologist named Pier Antonio Micheli. Although many species of Aspergillus come with serious health concerns, some are surprisingly useful. Aspergillus niger, for example, is responsible for almost all worldwide production of citric acid.

According to Rubino, this family of mold “forms long, flask-shaped spores that can create dense layers or ‘walls’ of growth. Growth can appear white, yellow, brown, or even black. Colonies can appear as greenish-gray flat patches, or they can appear more elevated and textured.” Aspergillus spores spread in the air, and are thought to be more concentrated indoors than outdoors.

How Do I Identify Aspergillus Mold?

If you notice strange growth and think you might have Aspergillus mold, Rubino says that testing is the best way to confirm.  He recommends the dust test: “Gravity brings particles like mold spores, mycotoxins, and endotoxins down to horizontal surfaces like floors, door frames, and furniture. Where dust collects, so do these indoor contaminants. Testing this dust will help determine what’s hanging out in your home.”

If the test comes back positive, Rubino says that it’s time to bring in an inspector “to determine where those sources of mold are and provide a more in-depth understanding of the situation occurring in the home.”

Where Is Aspergillus Mold Commonly Found?

Many Aspergillus species grow fastest in carbon-rich environments, such as compost piles, rotting leaves and decomposing vegetables. High-starch foods such as bread and potatoes are also common growth areas. Other species can spread rapidly in relatively low-nutrient areas like damp walls, carpets, doors, windows and pillows.

Rubino recommends checking these areas:

• HVAC systems
• Bathrooms (around sinks, showers, faucets, and showerheads)
• Kitchens (appliances, inside cabinets, the sink, the fridge water dispenser)
• Carpets and upholstery (if damp)
• Stored food
• Basements and crawl spaces
• The attic
• Windows and windowsills

What Are the Health Effects of Aspergillus Mold?

“Indoor microbial growth can impact health by lowering indoor air quality and creating unwanted exposures,” Rubino answers. He explains that mold releases spores, which can be inhaled, “triggering an immune response and an array of adverse health reactions ranging from allergy-like to brain fog and more.”

As with many molds, healthy people are at far lower risk of infection from breathing in Aspergillus spores than the immunocompromised. Runimo warns that “individuals with compromised immune systems could also develop Aspergillosis, a severe condition that affects the lungs and can spread to other organs.”

Aspergillosis commonly manifests as respiratory infections that can sometimes spread throughout the body or form “fungal balls” inside bodily cavities such as the lungs. Many of these mold-related infections cause fevers, shortness of breath, coughing and chest pain and require treatment with antifungal medications.

Is Aspergillus Mold Dangerous?

Rubino says Aspergillus mold is dangerous. “Its ability to impact health and lower our indoor air quality makes it something we absolutely do not want in our homes.” He continues, “Although Aspergillus is allergenic, its toxicity may vary depending on the species and environmental conditions.” Aspergillus is worrisome because it can produce mycotoxins. “These [mycotoxins] are naturally toxic to the human body, which is why they are regulated in food products.” Unfortunately, Rubino continues, “there are no regulations for the air we breathe.” He warns that “exposure [to Aspergillus mycotoxins] may result in asthma attacks, lung infections, and respiratory inflammation.”

How Do I Remove and Prevent Aspergillus Mold?

For small areas of household mold, find and fix any sources of excessive moisture, and make sure your home is properly ventilated. Install a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) if necessary. Use a non-toxic registered fungicide to kill the mold, being careful not to disturb the area so you don’t release fresh spores. For any possible Aspergillus mold growth larger than a few feet across, it’s best to call in mold removal professionals.

Remediating Mold

“All mold, regardless of species, should be remediated the same way– quickly and correctly,” Rubino says. He stresses the importance of knowing exactly what kind you’re working with so that you can adequately budget and prioritize. “Fast-spreading or species that can release mycotoxins should be at the top of the list.”

Rubino gives three pillars to look out for when finding a remediation company. The company should:

• Remediate the sources properly
• Identify and address the problems that led to those sources in the first place
• Eliminate all contamination that’s present

It’s important to remove all of the mold, not just the live portions of the colony. “Even remnants of dead mold can cause ongoing exposure and potential health risks,” he says. Just like weeds that can come back if you don’t pull them out by the root, mold also “develops root-like structures called hyphae.”

Rubino also advises testing again once the remedial team is done to ensure that they’ve gotten all of the mold as well as “other contaminants, such as mycotoxins and bacteria” for your own safety.

If Trying Yourself

If you’re going to try to remediate mold yourself, Rubino says that, first and foremost, “only work on areas under 10 square feet” and contact an expert before you start so that they can offer advice. Spaces larger than 10 square feet should be left to the experts; they’re too large to tackle on your own.

Here are some factors to keep in mind for success, according to Rubino:

• Use correct engineering controls and put personal protection equipment (PPE) in place
• The source that led to the growth needs to be resolved
• All porous materials, like drywall, need to be removed and replaced
• All surfaces need to be decontaminated using the proper remediation protocols based on the specific surface type
• The surrounding space should be deeply cleaned to remove any particles released by the active growth

Don’t be afraid to leave it to the experts if it feels too daunting. “If you aren’t confident that you can tick off each box, the professional route is the way to ensure all the contamination is removed.”

Prevention

As the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a drop of cure. Rubino explains that the best way “is to mitigate moisture and regularly clean to eliminate particles like dust, spores, and organic matter from the home.”

He suggests several steps:

• Keep indoor humidity between 35-50%
• Address leaks and structural issues that allow for moisture intrusion immediately
• Routinely clean all appliances
• Make sure appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines are dried thoroughly when not in use
• Use botanical cleaning products with surfactants, a HEPA vacuum cleaner, and microfiber towels to clean
• Clean all machine-washable items with a laundry additive like EC3 to remove microscopic particles
• Separate the shower curtain and liner after use
• Squeegee the shower after use
• Clean the home regularly
• Hang up bath mats, towels, wash rags, loofahs, and any other wet items to dry after use
• Use air purifiers to capture airborne spores
• Upgrade to the highest-rated MERV filter the HVAC unit can handle and change them on time
• Try to stay away from porous materials like carpeting in the home
• Declutter often

Source

Michael Rubino is a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse, a revolutionary company with the vision to end the worldwide health epidemic caused by poor air quality and toxic indoor environments. He is also Chair of Change the Air Foundation and Host of Never Been Sicker podcast.