October 20, 2000

Q & A
Fact Sheet on Mold & Antibody Testing for Exposure

By Peter P. Greaney, MD
Board-Certified Occupational Physician
www.workcare.com

Background

This fact sheet has been developed to provide information on antibody testing for people potentially exposed to fungal contamination.  A number of parents, teachers, administrators and students at La Rosa Elementary School have expressed concern about possible health risks associated with mold found in certain buildings of the school. 

Although molds are a natural part of our environment, exposure to certain types of airborne mold spores can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes and other respiratory problems in those who are predisposed.  In addition, exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to the mold. Health impacts from mold/mildew may also occur when individuals are exposed to large doses of mycotoxins, which are chemicals produced from the molds. 

To address these concerns, the Temple Unified School District has taken immediate action.  The campus has been thoroughly inspected for indoor air quality issues and all problem areas have been evaluated and remediated.  A small amount of fungal growth, for the most part inactive, was found in some classrooms.  Air quality testing for the presence of fungal spores, conducted after remediation, showed no genera or species not present in outside air.  All rooms had some air testing performed—no room had inside levels greater than a small fraction of the outside level. 

Public meetings have been held by the Temple Unified School District to report on the remediation process and inform citizens about health issues associated with mold. 

Although extensive efforts have been made to educate the La Rosa community about this situation, some parents and teachers have expressed concern about potential health problems and have questioned the need for blood and other testing.

According to the California Department of Health Services, blood tests for Stachybotrys chartarum are inappropriate to evaluate current exposure.  The following information has been compiled as a resource to individuals seeking more information on antibody testing for mold. 

Q. As a precautionary measure, should all the students, teachers and administrators be tested for mold exposure?

A. The mere presence of mold in buildings does not mean a person has been exposed to fungal contamination.  For exposure to occur, a person must have physical contact with fungal spores, fragments or metabolites through inhalation, digestion or physical contact. 

If contact does occur, health symptoms may or may not develop, depending on the type of mold, the amount of exposure and the susceptibility of the person exposed.  Therefore, prudent public health practice standards emphasize that prompt remediation of contaminated material and/or infrastructure repair must be the primary response to fungal contamination in buildings. 

Q. At what level is exposure to mold considered unsafe?

A. There are no federal or state standards for fungal or bacterial levels in indoor non-industrial environments. 

Q. What will a blood test for mold tell me?

A. A serologic test will measure a person's levels of antibodies to a particular fungus. If antibodies are present in the test results, this may mean a person has been exposed to that particular fungus at some point in time.  However, these antibodies, by themselves, do not indicate the presence of disease. 

These antibodies also do not indicate the source, place or time of exposure to fungi.  Since exposure to fungi routinely occurs in both outdoor and indoor environments, these tests have limited value in establishing links between mold exposure and particular health symptoms.

Q. How accurate are blood tests for exposure to mold?

A. The antibody tests for Stachybotrys chartarum is not widely used due to the uncertainty in results interpretation.  In one study, only four out of 48 people possibly exposed to the mold had elevated antibodies. 

In another study, occupants from a fungal contaminated building were given blood tests and compared to a group of other people who had no history of exposure to mold growth.  These studies found no difference in the antibody levels between these two groups.

Q. What can I do if I am concerned about mold exposure?

A. Although no test currently exists that proves an association between Stachybotrys chartarum and particular health symptoms, we encourage people with persistent health problems to consult their physician if they believe their illness is caused by exposure to mold. 

Health Effects of Mold Exposure
Reference Materials

Ø      The California State Department of Health Services (CSDH) issued two facts sheets on mold: 

• CDHS Environmental Health Investigations branch, Indoor Air Quality Information Sheet: Mold in My Home: What Do I Do? March 1998
• CDHS Environmental Health Investigations Branch:  Fact Sheet on Stachybotrys atra (chartarum)  April 1997
• Internet site:  http://www.cal-iaq.org

Ø      The Washington State Department of Health released a detailed description of common indoor molds and their possible health effects:

• Harriet M. Ammann, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., Senior Toxicologist, Washington State Department of Health:  Is Indoor Mold Contamination a Threat to Health?  August 2000
• Internet site:  http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/mold.html

This page relates to the Osh.Net Newsletter Article of October 20, 2000 "Summary of Presentation on Mold"

For more information relating to this article click below:

Summary of Presentation on Mold

Links to Useful Indoor Air Quality Related Web Sites