Home. 

It’s where you play with your children, cook dinner with your spouse, unwind from a long day, and look forward to the new one ahead. 

It’s where you live your life. 

But when mold lurks beneath the surface, it can be a place that makes you sick, causing a dizzying array of concerning symptoms until it’s discovered and remediated. 

Mold illness has been garnering more search and media attention over the last couple of weeks, and we wanted to shed some light on this important topic as well as stress the importance of breathing clean air. 

What Is A Biotoxin Illness?

Biotoxin illness is a broad term that describes an illness caused by exposure to toxins from biological elements, like fungi (i.e., mold) and bacteria found in a person’s environment. 

Mold exposure, in particular, can cause severe health risks to sensitive or immunocompromised individuals. 

Think about it like this: for most of us, the sight of mold on our shower grout or a flooded basement is a nuisance but usually manageable. 

However, there are folks with a genetic predisposition to becoming very sick from exposure to the toxins produced by mold and bacteria. If you have heard of mycotoxins (from mold) or endotoxins (from bacteria), this may sound familiar. The story doesn’t end there, but for the sake of this post, we’ll keep this high-level. 

Understanding CIRS

Too often, biotoxin illness gets conflated with just mold—but it’s far more extensive and wide-reaching. 

One type of biotoxin illness is known as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome or CIRS. 

In the past twenty years or so, CIRS has become more widely known as a complex condition that can result from exposure to biotoxins, often found in water-damaged buildings.

Sadly, the symptoms of CIRS can be wide-ranging and often mimic other conditions, and without proper diagnosis, it can be difficult to differentiate what might be causing your symptoms (To learn more about CIRS-WDB, click here). These may include:

• Headaches and fatigue
• Cognitive issues or "brain fog"
• Respiratory problems
• Skin irritations
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Mood changes and depression

People experience these symptoms with varying degrees of severity depending on their location, current health, health history, and overall exposure levels. It's important to note that the symptoms of CIRS can vary widely between individuals. If you’re concerned about your symptoms, seek medical counsel.

Mold, bacteria, and their corresponding mycotoxins, beta-glucans, endotoxins, and actinobacteria can upend the lives of susceptible individuals. 

Examples of Recent Mold Illness Cases

Unfortunately, mold isn’t a picky eater, and our homes can provide the perfect breeding ground for toxic mold to grow, a fact exemplified by two concerning stories from families in Texas. 

Just last week, Newsweek reported on the Lowenstein family’s story.  

Lauren Lowenstein, 35, along with her husband Logan and their two young sons, found themselves battling mysterious and debilitating health issues. Their symptoms ranged from headaches and fatigue to more severe conditions like breathing difficulties and cognitive problems. 

What they didn't realize was that their four-bedroom Houston home was slowly poisoning them. It wasn't until she stumbled upon information about CIRS on social media that the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

The results were alarming, revealing the presence of toxins resulting from mold and bacteria that had been silently affecting their health for years. The discovery forced the family to abandon their home, leaving behind most of their belongings due to contamination. 

Unfortunately, the Lowensteins' experience is not isolated. 

In a similar case from the Texas area, the Ramirez family also faced severe health issues due to mold exposure in their home, with symptoms ranging from autoimmune problems to gastroenterological issues to neurological symptoms and beyond. It took years and several failed mold tests to finally uncover the truth: that nearly every bathroom in their home was covered with mold, along with several boards behind their drywall. 

These stories highlight the widespread nature of this issue and the importance of awareness about the potential health impacts of mold in homes. They also underscore the need for homeowners to be vigilant about potential mold issues and the importance of maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

What Is Making Your Home So Dangerous?

The short answer?

It’s most likely water or moisture. 

But let’s unpack this a bit more to understand the many factors that contribute to toxic air pollutants in your home. 

We’ll start with microbes. 

Breaking Down Microbes 

The presence of microbes—living organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye, like fungi, viruses, and bacteria—are quite common in today’s homes. 

Every home has its own unique microbial ecosystem, depending on the people and pets that live there, materials used, and overall climate. 

Our homes provide many opportunities for microbial growth, including:

• Plumbing and other building leaks
• Water intrusions via improperly installed windows
• Roof leaks 
• Poorly maintained or inoperative HVAC systems 
• Ineffective building materials (e.g., insufficient insulation or non-permeable wall systems, which allow excessive moisture build-up). 

Water is perhaps one of the biggest culprits for microbial growth, and water damage can cause extensive harm both to your home and your health. Water damage happens when water comes into prolonged contact with the foundation, walls, or roof of your house. 

And the negative effects catalyze sooner than you might expect. 

Mold and mildew can develop within 24-48 hours after water exposure, which is particularly concerning when considering we’re in the eye of hurricane season. 

Hurricanes Helene and Milton, for example, have caused hundreds of thousands of homes to be affected by flood water, causing significant damage and optimal conditions for microbial growth. This is especially true the longer the home sits without proper aeration and environmental cleaning efforts. 

The bottom line is that water-damaged buildings serve as breeding grounds for bacteria and mold. But just how prevalent is this concern? 

Bacteria in Homes 

Bacteria are always present in your homes—living in the dust and on the hard surfaces of every house, whether there are water problems or not. 

While more significant studies need to be done in this area, some have found that the toxic byproducts of certain bacteria, known as endotoxins, can cause health effects like fever, chills, shaking, and gastro problems. 

Endotoxins are a toxin present inside a Gram-negative bacteria and are released when the cell decomposes. 

Though few studies have been conducted on bacterial growth in water-damaged buildings, some have suggested that endotoxins occur more often in damp spaces. 

Mold in Homes

While there’s no national data on the prevalence of mold and dampness in residential properties, a population-weighted average from several published studies puts this figure as high as 47%—nearly half of all residential homes could be dealing with a moisture or mold problem. 

Mold tends to grow in damp, poorly ventilated locations, which is why people most often find it in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, roofs, and other areas where excessive exposure to moisture or even higher levels of humidity could be present. 

Knowing what to look out for makes identification (and ultimately prevention) much more attainable. 

Identifying Mold in Your Home

The Lowenstein family's journey to diagnosis involved an Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) dust collection test. This test can help identify the presence and types of mold in a home. 

But that’s far from the only solution. 

Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, who created the Shoemaker Protocol, also developed a HERTSMI-2 score, which has a higher correlation for determining exposure and the potential for the patient to relapse. 

Any patient using either sampling method should do so under the guidance or direction of a CIRS-literate Indoor Environmental Professional. DIY approaches to sampling can often lead to confusion and incorrect assumptions.

Identifying mold in your home also includes visual and olfactory signs that homeowners should be aware of. 

Visual Signs

All molds have slightly different shapes, colors, and colony patterns. In general, you can expect to see mold appear as black, green, brown, or white spots or patches on surfaces. It often has a distinct visual texture, looking fuzzy, slimy, or powdery. 

But not all mold growth exists in plain sight. Many mold sources are hidden behind walls and cabinets, in HVAC systems, crawlspaces, or attics. 

There are additional visual cues for a potential mold problem, like water stains or discoloration. Look for dark stains or patches on walls, ceilings, or floors, especially in moisture-prone areas. For example, in bathrooms, pay attention to darkening grout lines or caulking around tubs and showers, which can indicate mold growth, or perhaps a more significant issue behind the shower assembly.

You’ll also want to check for warping, bubbling, or cracking on walls, floors, or ceilings—some indicators of a moisture problem. Peeling wallpaper or paint may also be a sign of moisture behind the walls. 

It’s important to keep in mind that even if you can locate mold visually, there may be more problems lurking below the surface. To know for sure, consult with an IEP to minimize confusion and not waste your precious time, money, and energy. 

Olfactory Signs

Mold has a persistent smell, often characterized as musty, damp, or earthy. This odor may be particularly noticeable in basements, bathrooms, or other damp areas.

Environmental Indicators

You don’t have to just rely on your senses when it comes to mold identification. 

Excessive humidity or condensation can promote mold growth. Look for (and clean) condensation on windows, pipes, or walls. The ideal range for relative indoor humidity is 30-50%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

It’s also important to be mindful of areas that experienced recent water damage like flooding or leaks and remove any standing water as quickly as possible. 

Professional Mold Testing

While visual inspection is crucial, some mold problems may not be immediately visible. In such cases, professional testing methods like air, surface, or bulk sampling can be employed. 

Remember, if you suspect a mold problem but can't locate it visually it's advisable to consult with a professional mold inspector. They have the expertise and tools to detect hidden mold and can provide a comprehensive assessment of your home's mold situation—DIY mold inspections can only take you so far. 

The Importance of Clean Air in Your Home

The Lowensteins' decision to share their story on social media has helped raise awareness about CIRS and mold illness. Their video, which garnered over 10 million views on Instagram, resonated with many viewers who shared similar experiences, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.

Stories like these serve as a crucial reminder of the potential dangers hiding in our homes. By increasing awareness about CIRS and mold illness, we can help others recognize the signs early and seek appropriate help. Regular home maintenance, proper ventilation, and prompt addressing of any water damage are key steps in preventing mold growth and protecting our health.

Another thing you can do is ensure you’re breathing clean air with an air purifier for mold. High-quality air purifiers with HEPA filters can help capture airborne mold structure, potentially reducing their spread and alleviating some symptoms. However, they are just one component of a strong mold management plan. You also need to properly address any sources of moisture in your home and physically remove microbial growth. 

If you suspect mold issues in your home or are experiencing unexplained health symptoms, it's essential to consult with healthcare professionals and consider an environmental assessment by a CIRS-literate IEP. Remember, your home should be a safe haven, not a source of illness. 

Thank you to Michael Schrantz, CIEC with Environmental Analytics, a CIRS-literate IEP, for taking the time to contribute to this article.