SYMPTHOMS OF TOXIC MOLD EXPOSURE

FIELD MEDICAL MYCOLOGISTS IN THE NJ /NY AREA - NATIONALLY AVAILABLE UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES CALL 973-726-9559

2000     Research Association in N.A. with New Jersey Mold Inspections          2006

COMMON MOLD EXPOSURE SYMPTHOMS

There is a long list of common symptoms humans that have been exposed to allergenic and toxigenic mold. A short list may include sneezing, watery eyes, flu like symptoms, headache, itching and others. But caution must be exercised when compiling such a list since there are a multitude of factors in the environment that will produce identical symptoms.

A medical mycologist specializing in the study of fungal molds that are relevant to human health will explain that these symptoms alone will never tell you if in fact they are mold related.

What is required is a full health check-up and screening first by your physician, immunologist or allergist to determine if in fact you are suffering from such a conditions and allow them to make a diagnosis.

If after after such a checkup your health care provider suspects an environmental factor that may be present at home, work or other such habitation then it would be appropriate for a field investigation of the habitation in question with an qualified report that can be provided to your health care professional.

Since the many of the causative factors in the home that give rise to many of the symptoms humans complain about that are fungal mold related especially in water or moisture damaged habitations a qualified and licensed investigation is called for by a medical mycologist specializing in such and related investigations including total indoor air quality assessments.

It is important that such specialist be used in investigating your home or habitation and not by a company that does repairs or is out to "sell" you are repair. Repair companies do not have a any health related training. The rest need no be said. Contact a field medical mycologist specializing in the investigation of fungal mold in human habitations.

Avoid internet diploma mill "mold inspectors" and any and all "free"  inspections. Ask if they have a license and certification numbers by a qualified certifying authority such as schools and universities, or associations recognized by the state or government as sanctioned  organizations to provide such training.

WHAT IS MEDICAL MYCOLOGY ?

Medical Mycology  is a highly specialized field of scientific study of organisms that are quite different than plants or animals that are known to cause many human diseases and conditions. Medical mycologists are now doing much of their work within human habitations collecting specimens that may have relevance to the health of their occupants.

The average person would never encounter a medical mycologist because they are generally in a lab. But in the last few years highly trained medical mycologists have found themselves investigating human habitations at the request of physicians, attorneys, home owners and others that have an interest in knowing whether there are any relevant mycobiologicals playing a role in human health or affecting building property value by damage they may cause either to the structure or its contents.

Generally you should have a good reason but there is nothing stopping anyone having their habitation investigated for a mycobiological presence. But typically humans call us for:

1. A recent appearance of a fungal mold like presence. Sometimes associated with water damage and mold/musty like odor.
2. Unexplained recently acquired health condition associated with any particular place at home or even at work. Often sinus or neurological disorders.
3. When purchasing a new home a home inspector is never qualified to investigate for biologicals that may put humans at risk will typically refer the buyer to have a "medical mycologist" sometimes referred to as a mold inspector to perform a qualified investigation with full scientific report.
4. Your physician may be treating you with a condition that does not respond to treatment that am be related to a presence of a mycological (mold) presence within your home - very common with unexplained sinusitis/rhinitis or neurologically related distress.
5. If you have sustained water and mold damage your insurance carrier will require that a board certified mycologist make a qualified determination that in fact a mold condition exists that poses a risk or has caused damage to be covered under policy.

1. A FMM will determine if in fact you have a risk from a fungal mold or not.
2. If there is a presence you will learn the level of risk and action you must take is immediate or not.
3. The history and cause of of the presence of its presence.
4. What needs to be do to eliminate the cause and the presence.
5. Provide a bona fide and qualified certified legal document that can be used in any court of competent jurisdiction.
6. Provide a lawful opinion of related matters regarding health effects, history of the presence (important when there is a fraudulent concealment by seller, negligence or malfeasance by builder, negligence or nonfeasance by unqualified home or the so called "mold inspectors".

1. Fully trained in medical mycology, immunology, molecular biology, toxicology and more.
2. Trained and experienced in the building sciences.
3. Trained and experienced in indoor environments and gas analysis.
4. Trained and experienced in conducting complete scientific studies and reports.
5. Legal training in the identification of relevant legal issues. Expert in legal testimony

The Mycological Institute FMHH can be contacted for one of their FMM to perform such investigations. Call:

December 22, 2005

SEE: Discovery Health Channel show "Is Your House out to Get You" and see our field medical mycologist discussing some of the risks mold may present in the home. (Originally broadcast December 15, 2005 - check for repeat showing)