Health Research

Millions of people have allergies, and mould is a common irritant. Mould is also a known trigger of asthma. Symptoms of exposure to mould can be as simple as a stuffy nose or watery eyes. In some cases, they can be much more serious. Certain types of mould give off toxins that can be the source of serious health issues.
Common symptoms of exposure to mould range from the following:
 

• Headache, fatigue, shortness of breath.
• Sinus congestion, coughing and sneezing.
• Eye, nose, throat and skin irritation.
• Dizziness and nausea.

 
Not everyone has the same sensitivity to mould so it is possible for one person to experience discomfort while others living in the home to have no symptoms whatsoever. Individuals at the greatest risk include:

• Allergy and asthma sufferers.
• People with respiratory disease.
• People with compromised immune systems.
• Contact lens wearers.

While mould exists everywhere, it sometimes takes on a dangerous form.
The scientific name for the greenish-black mould that turns up on carpet, wallpaper, ceiling tiles, air conditioners - even wet leaves - is Stachybotrys Chartarum (see inset). It produces a mycotoxin that causes mycotoxicosis, and is thought to be the cause of "sick building syndrome."Strong associations have been made between mould and various adverse effects on human health. Many are known to cause allergies such as hayfever; some are known to be important triggers of asthma.

 

Tests conducted on building occupants suffering allergic symptoms reported responses to fungi found in air conditioning ducts. A 1994 study found that repeated exposure to spores or other parts of fungi commonly found in indoor air could result in allergies such as asthma and rhinitis; extrinsic allergic alveolitis (a group of lung diseases) or hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which has flu-like symptoms; 'sick building syndrome' including symptoms such as headache, fatigue and mucosal complaints; or organic dust toxic syndrome recognised by tightness of the chest, bronchitis and asthma. Those with impaired immune systems are most at risk

 

The results of work conducted in Australian homes, hospitals and other air conditioned buildings indicate fungi are an indoor pollutant of significant concern. Indoor Air Quality Special Interest Group, Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (2002) Indoor Air Quality in Australia: A Strategy for Action, FASTS Occasional Paper Series Number 5, FASTS, Canberra Australia.

 

If your air conditioner is contaminated you are at risk. Protectair trained technicians will eliminate the source of these issues and neutralise the risk to you, your family and your staff.

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