Moulds - A hidden danger of renovation in Fez

It may look very small and insignificant but mould can cause serious health effects. Recently one of the members of The View from Fez was infected by a red mould and was seriously ill with high fever, headaches, loss of energy and severe weight loss. Recovery took several weeks.

Red mould on new plaster in a Fez riad

One of the hidden dangers in any renovation process is contamination of the lungs by dust. Of even more concern is the fungal or mould growths that can appear on damp plaster in the first few weeks after it has been applied to walls. In Fez there are at least three recognised types of mould - blue, green and red. While all three can have negative effects on individuals, it is the red ( or pink) that is considered to be the most dangerous.

Red mould in a typical circle pattern

Unfortunately the plasterers will tell you that these growths on your plaster are temporary and not dangerous. This is wrong. All mould outbreaks should be treated seriously.

"Mould" describes a wide range of fungi found virtually everywhere indoors and outdoors. Mould can grow in and on plants, foods, dry leaves, other organic material, and in soil. In nature, moulds play an important role in helping break down, or decompose, dead material. Moulds produce microscopic cells called spores, which act like seeds to form new mould growths (colonies) when they find the right conditions. These spores are very lightweight and spread easily through the air. When moulds grow indoors, spores become concentrated in the indoor air, and can cause health problems when they are inhaled in large numbers.

Red mould on fresh plaster

Mould spores are tiny structures produced by moulds for reproduction purposes. They are so small that we can hardly see some of them even when magnified 400 times. One cubic meter of outdoor air may contain as many as 1,000,000 spores. The volume of air we inhale at rest is estimated at 10 litres per minute. Therefore, in an hour we inhale close to 600,000 spores. The air in some working environments including mouldy buildings may contain up to 1,000,000,000 spores per cubic meter of air. (source: Moldbacteria.com )

Symptoms of Mould Exposure:

Allergy symptoms are the most common health problem caused by exposure to indoor mould. Although other and more serious problems can occur, typical symptoms -- alone or in combination -- include:

* nasal and sinus congestion
* respiratory problems such as wheezing, shortness of breath, or other breathing difficulties
* cough
* sore throat
* skin and eye irritation
* eye irritation: red, watery, blurry vision, light sensitivity
* upper respiratory infection (including sinus)
* fever
* central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory problems, mood changes)

There is a wide range of individual reactions in people exposed to indoor mould. For some people, a relatively small amount of any mould spores can cause health problems. Other people may only react when a large amount or certain type of spores are present. In addition, some types of mould can produce chemical compounds called mycotoxins, although they do not always do so. Moulds that produce toxins are common, but only a few may cause health problems. Some types of mould can cause more serious health problems, but this is much more rare. However, it is important to remember that all noticeable indoor mould growth (toxin producing or not) is potentially harmful to health and should be promptly removed.

The acute form is often associated with heavy exposures and characterized by chills, fever, malaise, cough, and dyspnea appearing 4--8 hours after exposure and is often confused with pneumonia. The chronic form is thought to be induced by continuous low-level exposure. Onset generally occurs without chills, fever, or malaise and is characterized by progressive shortness of breath with weight loss . Chronic infection can be confused with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or other forms of interstitial lung disease.
Long term exposure to excessive indoor mould growth may eventually become unhealthy for anyone. However, the following people may be affected more rapidly and/or more severely than others:

* infants and children
* elderly persons
* individuals with respiratory conditions or sensitivities such as asthma or allergies
* pregnant women
* persons with weakened immune systems (chemotherapy patients, organ transplants recipients, people with HIV infection, etc.)

Consult a medical health professional if you or a family member are having health problems that you believe are related to indoor mould.


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