Physics assignment essay on:DAMP AND MOULD GROWTH

1. Introduction

Mould is the type of fungal growth that lives on animal and plant matter. They usually grow in form of multicellular hyphae. Mould usually grows in damp and poor ventilated areas and usually reproduces by making spores. The airborne mould spores are commonly found in both outdoor and indoor environments and when they land on the environment, they begin to spread and grow. Dampness is perceived or measurable outcome of moisture that brings about problems in the building such as moulds, leaks, degradation of the material or microbial growth. Thus exposure to dampness and mould control leads to a variety of health adverse effects.

2. Source of damp and mould control:

Damp is generally the fault in the building. There are two basic types of damp. This includes penetrating damp which happens when the water enters the home through the extended defect. The rising damp is a problem exists in the damp proof membrane where water rises from the ground into the floor walls. The mould only grows when there is sufficient moisture is present. Parts of the house that are usually prone to the growth of the mould include cupboards, kitchen and laundries where the frequency of leaking of pipes is more. The ceilings and walls which are exposed to cold or hot indoor air or insufficient insulation occur. Moreover the rising damp is due to ground moisture in the stone brick and stone wall. Also the growth of mould occurs in paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, dust, paints, insulation, fabric and upholstery etc.

Furthermore dust mites and fungi favor damp environments. Fungi and dust mites produce allergens which is associated with asthma and other allergies due to production of irritants and other toxins.  This brings about respiratory problems. House dust mites and bacteria also contribute to dampness. Dampness is an indicator of poor ventilation which brings about increased level of potentially harmful indoor pollutants. Excess moisture can result in increased level of chemical emissions from the floor covers and building materials. Additionally standing water brings about rodents and cockroaches which bring about transmission of infectious disease. The indoor environment also further attracts termites which can damage the buildings and compromise the integrity of the structure and this further affect the indoor environments by inducing the use of potentially pesticides.

Pathway leading to sources of dampness with health:

(Source: WHO 2009)

3. Health effects associated with mould and dampness:

Research studies included by the Institute of Medicine(2004) from various case, cross-sectional and cohort studies explains  various adverse effects of health .This includes asthma development, respiratory infections, symptoms of respiratory tract, cough, wheezing, altered function of lungs, bronchitis  and other respiratory symptoms. Another research studies indicate the association between the indoor dampness and development of asthma, dyspnoea, asthma and occurrence of respiratory infections in children. Additionally, few people sensitive to mould can bring about severe mold allergies and other complicated reactions such as lung infection and illness. Exposure to certain mould types cause various illness. The adverse effects in human occur through three mechanisms. This includes generation of unhealthy immune response, infection by the organism and toxic effects from the byproducts of the mould.

3.1. Relationship of moulds to asthma and allergy:

Exposure to the fungal spores is related to the asthma symptoms and sensitization to fungi brings about severity of asthma. Research conducted by Bush et.al (2006) suggests that children living in damp places and homes with exposure to indoor fungi are more likely to experience cough and wheezing than in children who are not exposed. The epidemiological studies indicate that children with maternal history of asthma when exposed to high concentration of indoor fungi have persistent cough and wheezing. Moreover, moulds are an important cause for atopic manifestations such as cause of allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. This occurs due to nonatopic IgE-mediated diseases. Thus, atopic patients need to administer Ig E antibodies against moulds as part of polysensitization.

3.2. Allergic Broncho-pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) and Sinusitis:

Research studies conducted by Bush et.al (2006) assert a significant clinical entity affecting the health of the individuals with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Exposure to fungi Aspergillus fumigatus brings about this condition in outdoor and indoor situations. This can bring about abnormal damage to the tissues and condition of hypersensitivity. Moreover, in ABPA the airway is colonized with Aspergillus which brings about various immunological responses (Frew 2004). Moreover the case of chronic rhinosinusitis is brought about Alternaria. This is due to the condition of hypersensitivity.

3.3. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis or Allergic Alveolitis:

This disease exist in the acute, sub acute and chronic forms where the allergen is inhaled in form of organic dust of various microorganisms such as bacteria fungal or avian origin. This occurrence usually occurs due to prolonged and high dose-exposure of the allergen. The immunogenesis of this disease is due to delayed hypersensitivity. The precipitins also play a major role in acute phase of the disease. This leads in episodes of noninfectious, immunologically mediated pneumonitis which leads to irreversible lung disease. Additionally the patient depicts symptoms of fever, cough and interstitial infiltrates. The mechanism includes the precipitation of Ig G antibody and cell-mediated immunity (Frew 2004)

3.4. Infection:

Mould infections such as tinea, cruris, thrush etc. affects the healthy individuals and results due to changes in the cutaneous or mucosal barrier. Usually these problems are caused due to molds of genus Malassezia. This occurs due to increased exposure from outdoor activities, Moreover individuals with primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorder are at higher risks. Additionally environmental exposure and host factors are vital in development of opportunistic fungal infections due to cellular immunodeficiency.

Other non-specific illness includes chronic fatigue, tiredness and poor concentration. This is caused due to Candida albicans. Moreover this causes local irritation in the in the genital and throat mucosa in patients with diabetes and on steroids etc. (Frew, A 2003).Research indicates that the mould Stachybotrys causes recurrent influenza like symptoms. Mould such as S chartarum also produce a range of toxins which are harmful to the human health such as occurrence of pulmonary infections etc.(Hossain et.al 2004).

3.5. Toxic effected of Mould infection:

3.5.1. Ingestion:

Ingestion of large quantities of mycotoxins from contaminated and toxic food can lead to severe mental illness. This is due to allergic and immunologic .Also exposure to bioaerosols can give rise to ‘toxic dust syndrome’.

3.5.2. Toxicity caused by inhalation:

The term mold toxicity is the direct injurious effects on the human health due to mould-produced molecules called as mycotoxins. This condition occurs due to innate immune responses or non-specific inflammation or due to adaptive immune responses. This leads to toxic adverse health effects on humans.

3.5.3. Irritant effects of mould exposure:

Moulds generally produce a number of potentially irritating substances such as volatile organic compounds and particulates .The volatile organic compounds includes a wide range of esters, ketones, alcohols, esters, carboxylic acids, terpenes, sulphur and other hydrocarbons. This will bring about neurologic, systematic and cognitive complaints. Moreover the irritants produce transient symptoms related to mucus membrane which effects the upper and lower respiratory tracts (Bush, R 2006). Few research studies indicate that mycotoxin brings about immunodeficiency and brings about altered immunity

3.6. Dampness and its effect on the exposure to biological and non-biological pollutants:

Dampness is caused due to various indicators such as water bubbles, water leakage, damage or discoloration in the floor, ceilings and walls. Usually dampness occurs in places such as houses which are overcrowded and lack proper ventilation or insulation. Moreover change in climate and weather would bring about increased damp problems. Also the high costs will bring about adequate heating which can lead to condensation and increased dampness. Additionally dust mites and fungi favor the damp environment. Dampness favors the microorganism’s growth, promotes the survival of viruses and increases the potential of harmful indoor pollutants. The growth of microorganisms eventually produces irritants, toxins and favor respiratory problems.

4. Control of dampness and mould growth:

Research conducted by the WHO or World Health Organization (2007) explains that mould growth needs to be prevented from the interior surface and buildings otherwise this leads to adverse health effects. There exists nine factors on the growth of mould .This includes external and internal temperature, relative humidity, generation of moisture, ventilation,  thermal performance of building, wall finishing, architectural layout of the building, surfaces with high concentration risks. Moreover selection of material of the building and hygrothermal design assembly to minimize the moisture problems.

There exists various ways to control the growth of damp and mould control. This includes first, the growth and control of moulds through controlling the level of humidity. Secondly, immediately fixing the leaky roofs, pipes and windows. Thoroughly drying and cleaning the place after flooding. Third, avoiding conditions which encourage the growth of mould through heat, ventilation such as use of exhaust fan and insulation. Forth, eliminating all sources of cleanup and moisture. Fifth, washing mould off the hard and dry surfaces and use of absorbent materials which can later be replaced. Sixth, vacuum cleaning through HEPA filters etc. Moreover, small areas can be thoroughly cleaned through detergent and alcohol solutions. The bathrooms can be cleaned with mould killing products .Use of mold inhibitors before painting is vital. The longer the mould grows the more damage it causes to the health of the public. Few actions which people can undertake include use of vent cloth dryers. Moreover to protect from flooded home patient’s needs to wear sturdy footwear, leather or rubber gloves and use of footwear which is waterproof and sturdy. Patients sensitive to moulds need to wear respirators. After condition of flood, the mould removal efforts includes elimination of various sources of pooled water, removal of flood damaged material including wallpapers, toys, clothing, bedding and other damaged material(Victoria 2009).

5. Conditions that contribute to health risks as a consequence of damp and mould growth:

The prevalence of indoor dampness varies widely within various continents and climatic zones. The amount f water is the trigger for the growth of microorganisms such as actinomycetes, fungi and other bacteria. The dust and dirt present in the indoor spaces provide sufficient nutrition to support the extensive microbial growth. Moreover, moulds can grow in any material thus selection of appropriate materials prevent the dirt from accumulation, penetration of moisture and growth of mould. Furthermore the growth of microorganisms result in the cell fragments, endotoxins, allergen, beta-glucans and other volatile organic compounds which bring about potential health hazard. The moisture related to chemical and physical emissions from various buildings play a vital role in dampness related to health effects (WHO 2009). Also allowing surfaces to become cooler than the surrounding can result in unwanted condensation due to formation of thermal bridges, inadequate insulation, unplanned air pathways or cold water plumbing etc can result in surface temperature below the dew point and dampness.

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