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Black Mold Research Paper

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Black Molds and Lungs
Mold infestations in buildings can be quite a dangerous and costly problem, especially when it involves the toxic black mold. Scientifically referred to as Stachybotrys chartarum, black mold is known to a number of health effects when ingested or inhaled (Ammann, 2016). The health effects and symptoms of exposure to S.chartarum cover a significant range of health issues and as such, having a clear knowledge of the indicators is necessary. The most common health effects and symptoms of S.chartarum are linked with the respiratory system. They include chronic sneezing and coughing and irritation of the mucous membrane of the throat and the nose. Prolonged exposure usually leads to more severe health effects including vomiting, …show more content…
The disease was also reported among humans, especially those working in collective farms. Stachybotryotoxicosis was found to mostly affect individuals who handled hay infested with black mold or those who had been exposed to dust and debris from materials that were already contaminated. Further outbreaks among farm workers prompted more investigation into the disorder, with most studies reporting that there was a strong connection between Stachybotryotoxicosis and the presence of black …show more content…
However, very few studies have established that S. chartarum is chiefly responsible for the poisoning. This includes the 1993-1994 Cleveland incidents in which there was an outbreak of pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis among infants (Rudert & Portnoy, 2017). This prompted an extensive study on the main cause of the outbreaks, and the findings revealed that in all the infants’ homes, the levels of total fungi and S. chartarum were quite high. The mold contamination was as a result of the water damage that the homes had recently sustained. This study led to increased interest among researchers on the role of black mold in pulmonary

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