General terms Allergen An allergen is a substance that elicits an IgE antibody response and is responsible for producing allergic reactions. Chemicals are released when IgE on certain cells come into contact with an allergen. These chemicals can cause injury to surrounding tissue - the visible signs of an allergy. Only a few fungal allergens have been characterized but all fungi are thought to be potentially allergenic. Fungal allergens are proteins found in either the mycelium or spores "Black mold" The poorly defined term? Black mold? Or? Toxic black mold? Has usually been associated with the mold Stachybotrys chartarum. While there are only a few molds that are truly black, there are many that can appear black. Not all molds that appear to be black are Stachybotrys. Fungi Fungi are neither animals nor plants and are classified in a kingdom of their own? The Kingdom of Fungi. Fungi include a very large group of organisms, including molds, yeasts, mushrooms and puffballs. There are >100,000 accepted fungal species but current estimates range to 1.5 million species. Mycologists (people who study fungi) have grouped fungi into four large groups according to their method of reproduction. Hidden mold This refers to visible mold growth on building structures that is not easily seen, including the areas above drop ceilings, within a wall cavity (the space between the inner and outer structure of a wall), inside air handlers, or within the ducting of a heating/ventilation system. Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) Fungi produce chemicals as a result of their metabolism. Some of these chemicals, MVOCs, are responsible for the characteristic moldy, musty, or earthy smell of fungi, whether mushrooms or molds. Some MVOCs are considered offensive or annoying. Specific MVOCs are thought to be characteristic of wood rot and mold growth on building materials. The human nose is very sensitive to mold odors and sometimes more so than current analytical instruments
Posted on: Mon, 07 Oct 2013 12:53:22 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015