I was conducting an indoor air quality study in mid-Summer 2005 at the request of a resident in Boca Raton, Florida. The homeowner, a lady in her mid to late forties, suspected microbial (mold) elements within her residence, as she recently experienced allergic symptoms including: increased migraine headaches, sluggishness and fatigue, restlessness, occasional itchiness, dizzy spells, nose bleeds, occasional dry eyes and increased stress.
My investigative reconnaissance of the residence started with an inspection of the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system which had been regularly maintained. The owner of the residence mentioned that it was warm in the house, but inspection of the thermostat, verifying calibration, noted the actual temperature was 71.8F, which is 1.2F below the ASHRAE maximum guidelines. Inspection in the attic identified areas where the A/C ducts had condensated; there was visible microbial (mold) growth and evidence of duct condensation on the floor surrounding the supply drops. Inspection of the supply air ducts identified light bio-film. Moisture mapping was conducted of perimeter walls, specifically around windows and sliding glass doors, and wall cavities (along plumbing lines) were tested for condensation. On inspection of the first floor guest bathroom, it was found that the supply grid was in close proximity to the ceiling light, a high heat intensity bulb. The cool air of the supply air register hitting the heat emitted from the bulb caused a clash of air masses, and allowed the formation of condensation on both the ceiling and supply air register. The owner was informed that the low temperatures were allowing the building envelope to reach dew point level and increasing humidity, whereas a properly functioning A/C system should in fact pull humidity from the residence. In his article, “How Common Mold Toxins Hurt the Body,” Dr. Rosen explains that to suffer mold toxin exposure, one need only to spend time in a musty location or a location exhibiting visible indoor mold. High levels of mold toxin exposure can overwhelm anyone. Modest exposure bothers approximately 1 in 4 who are ill-equipped at removing biologically active mold toxins. When under stress (such as that brought on by menopause) these people need to be extra careful, as their ability to remove toxins from their systems would not be equal to that of non-stressed or sensitive individuals. Menopause can produce considerable discomfort, as your body suddenly undergoes significant changes. Your periods may become heavier, lighter or irregular. You may also experience hot flashes (often produced by a thyroid drift), associated sleep disturbances, or vaginal dryness. Research indicates that menopause and mold might have long-term health consequences, as stress levels tend to rise. The common response to hot flashes is to try and maintain a comfortable environment, often by lowering the thermostat to make the house colder. This can result in condensation and other related issues, such as fungal and bacterial growth. Dr. Shoemaker in his book, Mold Warriors, expresses the necessity of blood testing. What is important about blood testing? It can be used to confirm bio-toxin exposure and to follow the success of treatment. However, without removing the person from the contaminated environment, treatment will typically be unsuccessful. Many physicians believe that mold merely affects your nasal area and lungs and mistakenly think that a full laboratory evaluation includes only allergy testing and perhaps pulmonary function (breathing) tests. Dr. James Schaller, MD, MAR, PA, DABFM a renowned expert on fungal (mold) exposure and bio-toxin illnesses and a hormonal nutraceutical consultant, was asked about the possible effects of fungal (mold) contamination in a menopausal occupant. Dr. Schaller stated “visible indoor mold or mold that causes a musty odor is never a good thing. Mold should not be growing in the indoor environment.” According to industry experts, many indoor molds are able to make chemicals called “mycotoxins” which can make you ill, disrupting more than just your nose, sinuses and lungs. Mycotoxins can hurt your skin, disrupt your concentration and memory, and also increase your belly fat. We know increased belly fat increases diabetes, heart attacks and cancers. Mold toxins are “bio toxins,” meaning they are toxins made by living things. They can make a person bloated due to large and complex hormonal shifts, not routinely tested for in routine blood screens. Mold bio toxins also undermine the functioning of insulin and leptin, thus increasing obesity in those exposed. “The main problem I worry about is that mold toxins ruin your insight and self-awareness, which is controlled by the front of the brain, so smart people become foggy or trivialized by the visible or smelled mold inside their home. In other words, mold chemicals get into your brain, and make it so that you do not really care about your mold problem, and you go on to do other less important things.” As an indoor air quality expert and Director of the American Indoor Air Quality Council of the South Florida Chapters, I have inspected residences of both menopausal and post-menopausal occupants. The lowering of the thermostat is a common solution to obtain a comfort level; however the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has established acceptable guidelines for air conditioning systems which say that thermostat or air conditioning system should never be set lower than 73F or higher than 78F in the summer months, regardless of whether you are in a hot-humid or a hot-dry climate. Unfortunately for those experiencing this condition, making it colder does not necessarily make it better. For further information on the subject I recommend Dr. James L. Schaller, MDs article: “Americas Hidden Health Threats.” Dr. James Schaller has been published in 16 areas of medicine.
