Q: My 40 year-old son was diagnosed with lung cancer in December. He is going through treatments and will soon enter a drug study that has been fairly successful helping people with his type of cancer. He has never smoked and has been healthy all of his life with the exception of allergies as a child. He lives in a home that has black mold issues. He has had sinus and nasal problems since moving into this home. I have extreme allergies to mold. My concern is his healing process in this type of environment. Can you give me any insight into my concerns?
A: Molds are common in homes and buildings where there is moisture present. The most common indoor molds include penicillium, aspergillus, cladosporium and alternaria. Then there is stachybotrys chartarum (green/black mold) which is less common, but isn’t rare. The latter type appears often when there is moisture in areas of water leaks, condensation, flooding, and water infiltration. It is important to remember that identification of the type of mold isn’t important. All molds should be treated the same with respect to removal and their potential health hazards.
Those individuals most susceptible include those with compromised immune systems, underlying lung disease and known allergies. Molds can enter a building through windows, ventilation or air conditioning systems with outdoor air intakes, and through doorways that open to the outside. Spores can also attach themselves to animals and people which makes such things as the family dog or cat, clothing and shoes susceptible transporters. When mold spores drop in areas that contain excessive moisture, they have a conducive growing environment. Ceiling tiles, cardboard, wallpaper, insulation materials, upholstery and countless other products can harbor the spores.
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine found there was adequate evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with symptoms of upper respiratory tract issues, cough and wheezing in otherwise healthy individuals. As one might expect, asthma symptoms were noted in asthmatics, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis was noted in those susceptible to that condition, as well. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to the development of asthma in some children – particularly pointing to those who may be genetically susceptible to the development of asthma. Selected interventions that improved housing conditions by ridding the mold were reported to reduce morbidity from asthma and from other respiratory allergies.
So, how can an individual remove mold? In many instances, a thorough cleaning with a commercial product, soap and water or a solution of no more than one cup of bleach to one gallon of water have been used. Depending on the severity of the presence of mold, carpeting, draperies and ceiling tiles may literally have to be discarded in some instances. Humidity levels should be no higher than 50% so levels should be checked more than once a day. Mold inhibitors can now be added to paints. Use exhaust fans – particularly in bathrooms. And, it goes without saying that the underlying problem should be addressed if there is to be a hopeful permanent result.
Individuals with a compromised immune system, including conditions such as AIDs, transplants and those in cancer treatment may be at a higher risk for reacting to molds. The risk of getting such an infection depends on the person’s immune system, so this should be brought to your son’s oncologist to determine the severity of living where he does.
