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BLACK MOLD Stachybotrys chartarum Presented by: KRISTIN B. LABASAN ALEJANDRO DY III-BSCT | PNU-MANILA Copyright © KristinGanda What is Mold? • Mold spores are simple, microscopic organisms, found virtually everywhere • Mold spores are very tiny and lightweight, allowing them to waft (travel) through the air Copyright © KristinGanda Copyright © KristinGanda How Does Mold Grow ? • Water or moisture is necessary • Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores • Mold requires food sources such as leaves, wood, paper products, wall board, insulation, ceiling tiles and other organic based materials. Copyright © KristinGanda Copyright © KristinGanda “Black Mold ” “Toxic Mold” “Killer Mold” Stachybotrys chartarum Scientific classification Kingdom: Fungi Division: Ascomycota Class: Sordariomycet es Order: Hypocreales Genus: Stachybotrys Species: S. chartarum Copyright © KristinGanda “Black Mold ” “Toxic Mold” “Killer Mold” STACHYBOTRYS CHARTARUM: • Dark greenish-black oily looking mold • Grows on materials with high cellulose content (like drywall sheetrock, dropped ceiling tiles, and wood ) • Requires water saturated environment to grow Copyright © KristinGanda •Many molds are black in appearance but are not Stachybotrys. •For example, the black mold commonly found between bathroom tiles is not Stachybotrys. •Stachybotrys can be positively identified only be specially trained professionals (e.g., mycologists) through a microscopic exam. Copyright © KristinGanda How can you be exposed to mold? • When molds are disturbed, their spores may be released into the air. You then can be exposed to the spores through the air you breath. • Also, if you directly handle moldy materials, you can be exposed to mold and mold spores through contact with your skin. • Eating moldy foods or hand-to-mouth contact after handling moldy materials is yet another way you may be exposed. Copyright © KristinGanda How can Stachybotrys chartarum affect your health? • There is inadequate evidence to support the conclusion that exposure to mycotoxins in the indoor environment is causally related to symptoms or illness among building occupants. • There is inadequate evidence to support recommendations for greater urgency in cases where mycotoxin-producing fungi have been isolated. Copyright © KristinGanda TOXINS • There are two chemotypes in S. chartarum, one that produce trichothecene mycotoxins (T-2) including satratoxins and one that produce atranones. • The atranone-producing chemotype of S.chartarum does not induce toxicity, but instead induces inflamation and exhibits moderate inhibition of protein synthesis. • The trichothecene-producing chemotype of S.chartarum, does not induce any inflammatory response, but is highly toxic to macrophages and is a strong protein synthesis inhibitor. Copyright © KristinGanda TOXINS trichothecene mycotoxins Copyright © KristinGanda TOXICOLOGY AND TOXICOKINETICS • • • • • • Mechanisms of Action. The many mechanisms by which Trichothecene mycotoxin (T-2) produce toxicity are varied: inhibition of protein synthesis, thought to be the most important effect inhibition of DNA synthesis which might contribute to their radiomimetic properties impairment of ribosome function inhibition of mitochondrial protein synthesis induction of reparable single strand breaks in DNA immunosuppression, allowing secondary and opportunistic bacterial infections and possibly delayed hypersensitivity Copyright © KristinGanda Symptoms • Sever itching and redness of the skin, sores, shedding of the skin • Distortion of any of the senses, loss of the ability to coordinate muscle movement • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea • Nose and throat pain, discharge from the nose, itching and sneezing • Cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest pain and spitting up blood • Temporary bleeding disorders • Severe poisoning can result in weakness, shock and death. Copyright © KristinGanda Treatment Prevention of illness after contact: First, leave the area where the T-2 mycotoxin was released and move to fresh air. Remove clothing. – Then, quickly take off clothing that may have T-2 on it. Wash affected areas. – As quickly as possible, wash any T-2 from the skin with lots of soap and water. Discard contaminated items. – Place the clothing and any other contaminated items inside a plastic bag. Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing Treatment of illness: – There is no specific treatment for T-2 poisoning. Supportive care (intravenous fluids, medicine to control pain) is the standard treatment. Copyright © KristinGanda