Screening & measurements process
Screening & measurements
- Review of the screening list of possible characteristics of the environmental factors being searched for
- Measurements and spirometry
- The results of the screening are reviewed by a specialist doctor who advises on the continuation of testing if necessary for each individual.
Blood testing
- Blood test
- • A review of the blood test by a specialist doctor who decides whether further testing is needed.
Medical examination & further testing
- Medical examination by a specialist doctor
- Allergy tests (RAST)
- Imaging
Results
- Summary report sent to managers and individuals informed about the results of their testing.
Effects of mold
Effect on individuals
Symptoms are usually completely non-specific and also usually harmless, but can cause discomfort and be an annoyance. In each case, the effect depends on the individual's sensitivity, how much chemical or biological stress they are exposed to, and whether there is a biological possibility that the stress can affect this individual at the moment in question. The location and past history of the individual must be examined, especially their immune history.
Effect on mold inhalation - allergy
You can become allergic to molds.
- Most often with respiratory symptoms.
- • Symptoms range from very mild symptoms (itchy throat and eyes, nasal irritation, etc.) to severe attacks (watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, hives, cough, hoarseness, congestion fits or chronic congestion and finally fever).
Antibodies IgA, IgM, IgG and IgE against mold can be formed.
- 10 to 20% of all people have atopy and develop IgE against some environmental factors.
- Not many people get a positive RAST test against mold. Of course, the allergy may have been acquired earlier in life.
- A positive test supports the diagnosis, but does not directly prove it. As always, assess based on clinical symptoms and test results.
Effect on mold inhalation - infection
You can get respiratory infections (in the nose, nasal passages and lungs) from mold in the environment which can become chronic. It is necessary to assess whether it is necessary to do imaging of the sinuses and lungs. Molds can also infect the skin and mucous membranes, e.g. in the mouth or eyes.
This can be seen upon examination and is not specifically related to moisture damage in buildings.
Effect on mold inhalation - respiratory tract irritation
People with asthma (8-9% of children and 6-7% of adults) tolerate the atmosphere in houses with moisture damage worse than others, this could be due to mold particles in the air if they are not contained and due to gases from building materials when damage has penetrated interior walls. Congestion fits can get worse and last longer than usual. Mold toxins, also known as mycotoxins, are mostly relatively large molecules that do not evaporate easily, and their effects are hardly noticeable except, theoretically, to builders who do not wear masks.
It is possible to talk about toxic or irritating effects of gases, which are not fungicides, if there is an opening into moisture-damaged building materials. These effects are dose-dependent, as toxic effects always are. (Small damage – low impact).
Other explanations of symptoms
It is important to realise that at any given time other things are happening to individuals in exposed groups, and symptoms can therefore always possibly stem from other things, such as incipient diseases.