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Mould In The Classroom

There has been a number of investigations done from around the world that have demonstrated a close relationship between living in a mould-affected environment and the extent of adverse respiratory symptoms in children. When young children inhale mould spores, they can experience different respiratory problems which can be similar to the symptoms of seasonal allergies such as;

  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Runny nose
  • Itchy nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Sore throat
  • coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Various other flu-like symptoms

If your child has asthma, inhaling mould spores may trigger more frequent attacks and exacerbate their chronic lung disease. Although all types of household moulds may result in such troublesome allergy symptoms, the greatest health risks for children come from toxic black moulds (Stachybotrys chartarum). They produce mycotoxins that can be particularly harmful to kids and may even result in death. The black mould mycotoxins create irritation and burning sensation in the nasal cavity, mouth and throat. If they get lodged in the mucus membranes, sinuses, and the lungs, the mycotoxins can cause severe breathing problems and bleeding in the lungs. It has been a proven fact that the effects of mould exposure may have serious consequences for children in the early years of life. Prolonged black mould exposure in particular, is extremely dangerous as it increases the risk for hemorrhagic pneumonia and consequent death among infants.

Apart from airway symptoms, children who are exposed to toxic black mould may also experience different neurological problems. The trichothecene mycotoxins produced by black mould can kill neurons in the brain and impair its functions, as well as cause nervous disorders, mood swings and irritability. The most common neurological symptoms of black mould include;

  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Shortened attention span
  • Slowed reflexes
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Memory loss and memory problems
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Trembling or shaking
  • Numbness

Toxic black mould mycotoxins can easily enter the human body through the skin, especially if it comes to the delicate skin of a young child. So when a child’s skin comes into contact with black mould spores, irritation, itching, rashes and other skin problems may appear as a result. When the black mould mycotoxins come into contact with eye cells, they can cause inflammations of the eyes and create vision problems such as Itchy eyes, Watery eyes, Blurry vision, Red or bloodshot eyes, Eye inflammation and soreness.