Aspergillus Exposure Concerns in Moldy Residential, Commercial and Healthcare Environments

Aspergillosis is a disease caused by some species of Aspergillus, a common type of mold. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the approximately 180 known species of Aspergillus, fewer than 40 are known to cause infections in humans.
 
The CDC states that most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick, but people with a weakened immune system or lung disease are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to exposure.  The different types of aspergillosis include:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
• Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis
• Aspergilloma
• Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
• Invasive aspergillosis
• Cutaneous aspergillosis

 
Aspergillosis is not a reportable infection in the United States so the exact number of cases that occur each year is difficult to determine.  Milder, allergic forms of aspergillosis are more common than the invasive forms of the infection according to the CDC.
 
“Airborne and settled Aspergillus is common across the globe at background concentrations in both indoor and outdoor environments.  It is also frequently found at elevated concentrations in buildings that have suffered water damages resulting in the amplification or growth of mold,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of IEQ at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “While exposure to elevated levels of Aspergillus is a concern in any home or building, this is especially true in healthcare environments that likely have patients with compromised immune systems.  Even for people with a healthy immune system, exposure to elevated concentrations of Aspergillus or other types of mold can result in negative health impacts.  Health effects of mold overexposure can include mild allergic responses like a runny nose or more severe impacts, including triggering an asthma attack in asthmatics.”
 
To identify microbial contaminants in buildings, the indoor environmental quality experts at CSC offer comprehensive testing and building investigation services. CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about aspergillosis that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/z9rpI15Enao
 
To learn more about microbial testing or other indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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