Mold (for Health Professionals)

Mold likes moist and wet environments. Water leaks and too much humidity (over 60 percent) in homes can be the perfect environment for mold growth. Mold can grow on all types of surfaces including walls, rugs, fabric items, wood, and other surfaces.  

Typically, home testing for mold is not needed. If a family can see or smell mold, this is enough information to perform mold remediation. It is also important that families inspect their homes for elevated humidity and water leaks, as these are areas where mold likes to grow. Being proactive in fixing these areas can prevent future mold exposure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have good, detailed information on mold exposures in the home (see Additional Resources).

The health effects of mold exposure are variable. Some individuals may not experience any symptoms, and others may experience symptoms. It is important to educate families on what is currently known about the health effects of mold exposure, as there is a lot of fear-inducing information on the internet (most without scientific basis). Here are some health concerns linked to mold exposure (non-occupational) along with key peer-reviewed articles in which to find more detailed information:  

• Allergy Symptoms: Children may experience allergy symptoms after exposure to mold. These symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, throat dryness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or dry cough.  
• Asthma:  Mold may be an asthma trigger for some children. There is some research that living in damp environments can make it more likely for a child to get asthma (see resources below).  
• Other Rare Symptoms: Rarely, mold exposure can be associated with other serious conditions. These include hypersensitivity pneumonitis or local/systemic infections. These are not common in individuals who are otherwise healthy. They can happen when people are immune compromised or have underlying lung problems, such as cystic fibrosis. 

Families may also have concerns around mycotoxins. These are substances produced by certain molds. You may be familiar with mycotoxins in relation to food supplies, such as grains and dried beans. Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and ochratoxin A, have been identified as harmful to human health and can be present in the food supply when crops develop mold. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates mycotoxins in human food to make sure that food sold to consumers is not contaminated. Families may have concerns about mycotoxins being inhaled, and the harmful health effects. Outside of this, there is limited research on the health effects of inhaled mycotoxins (6). Families may also ask about mycotoxin testing or other mold testing. These are not recommended as they are not clinically validated and can subsequently be difficult to interpret and incur large costs to families. Visit the FDA for more information (see Additional Resources). 

Overall, it is important to highlight to families that indoor mold needs to be remediated and the reason(s) for the damp or wet indoor home environment fixed.   

Healthcare professionals are instrumental in providing patients with evidence-based guidance on questions and concerns about mold exposure in their families. Good risk communication is key with a focus on the route of mold exposure and known health effects related to mold exposure. It is also imperative that families feel heard and are able to ask questions.  

Given the need for remediation of mold and the damp or wet environment that promoted the mold growth, it can be beneficial to provide families with key resources. These include: 

• Resources on mold clean up and remediation: 
  •  EPA’s A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home 
  • CDC’s Mold Clean Up Guidelines and Recommendations 
  • CDC’s Homeowners and Renters Guide to Mold Cleanup after Disasters 
• Resource on mold prevention: 
  • EPA’s A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home 
• Resource on mycotoxins: 
  • FDA’s Mycotoxins