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Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) contamination of the indoor environment: Health implications

A Bitnun1, R M Nosal

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto;

Paediatrics & Child Health
|March 10, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Widespread Stachybotrys chartarum mold in Ontario schools caused health concerns. However, serious adverse effects from inhaling this mold are unlikely, with avoidance and building remediation being key therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Mycology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Widespread contamination of water-damaged school portables with Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum) occurred in Ontario in 1998.
  • S. chartarum is a toxigenic mold known to cause disease through irritation, hypersensitivity, or toxin production.
  • Exposure to S. chartarum has been linked to various symptoms, including respiratory, dermatological, and constitutional issues, and rarely, idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the health risks associated with S. chartarum exposure in school environments.
  • To inform public health responses to mold contamination in educational facilities.
  • To outline effective management and therapeutic strategies for S. chartarum exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Detection of widespread S. chartarum contamination in water-damaged school portables.
  • Review of health effects associated with S. chartarum exposure, including irritation, hypersensitivity, and toxin production.
  • Assessment of exposure levels and potential health outcomes from inhalation versus ingestion.

Main Results:

  • While S. chartarum can cause illness, the level of toxin exposure from inhalation is very low, making serious adverse health effects unlikely.
  • Ingestion of contaminated food can lead to bone marrow suppression and immunotoxicity.
  • Symptoms in children related to the school environment warrant assessment for potential irritants and allergens.

Conclusions:

  • Avoidance of exposure is the most effective therapeutic strategy for S. chartarum.
  • Buildings with heavy mold contamination require thorough cleaning, repair, and prevention of further water damage.
  • Public health authorities should assess schools with suspected mold-related health issues to identify and mitigate environmental hazards.
Keywords:
FungusMoldMycotoxinStachybotrys chartarumTrichothecene

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