What are Fungi? (contd.)
Newsletter No. 1 ended with conditions that are contributors to the growth of mold. The free water that was introduced often shows up in the liquid form as in water damage and it doesn’t take a lot of water to start mold.
Fungi Exposure
Personal fungi exposure may be from a variety of mold components including:
- Cell fragments
- Spores
- Other cell-related products
They may be allergenic, infectious or toxic. Every person will react differently to mold. Some will suffer next to no symptoms from exposure, where others show immediate and severe signs of exposure. Children and the elderly are especially susceptible to the health problems caused by mold. Mold is systemic and opportunistic and can affect the entire body. Molds of different types can also grow together, and when they do, they magnify toxicity. This is a function that is called synergism.
The terms “mold” and “fungi” are used interchangeably. “Mold,” however, is more commonly used to describe these kinds of growth.
The term “mildew” is often used interchangeably with “mold” and “fungi” although mildew is actually fungi that causes plant disease.
Spores
Spores are the reproductive structures (just like seeds) that allow mold to spread to other areas. They are small and light (half a million spores can fit on a penny) and are easily transported through the air.
Spores can remain dormant for longer than 20 years until the right conditions are present for growth. The good news is that only about 20% of spores are viable (able to produce more fungi) but whether or not the spores are literally dead or alive they can still produce allergens and may even be toxic to people!
Check back regularly for the next issue in the Restoration News newsletter series to learn more about mold and mold remediation.
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All have to work and communicate together to solve the problem at hand.

