These potential health effects of indoor fungal bioaerosol exposures are highlighted in a recent publication.^[4]
 
Finally, Dr. Bardana outlined the recent health concerns of individuals exposed to species of Stachybotyrs. Dr. Bardana reviewed the fact that Stachybotyrs has been referred to as toxic or "black mold." Dr. Bardana highlighted the fact that there were, in fact, no bona fide reports of human infection in the medical literature. Reports of potential allergic disease have been characterized as being inconclusive. In fact, Dr. Bardana highlighted a recent observation that pointed out that half of blood donors have immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody to Stachybotyrs, with 9% of these individuals having evidence of IgE to Stachybotyrs. Given the ubiquitous nature of Stachybotyrs, it is not considered to be unusual that one would observe these findings. Dr. Bardana further noted that there have been no reports of allergic alveolitis or sinusitis due to Stachybotyrs. Although there have been recent concerns regarding the potential of "toxic encephalopathy and Stachybotyrs," Dr. Bardana pointed out there has been "no scientific link." Dr. Bardana suggested further reading on the potential role of Stachybotyrs in a recent publication by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.^[5]
 
The potential human effects of mold exposure have led to a new legal industry with devastating impact on the immune insurance industry. A recent example of mold litigation occurred in Texas, where a jury determined that an insurance company acted fraudulently and in bad faith when fixing water damage in a 22-room mansion.^[6] This particular case resulted in a delay in the repair of what many considered a relatively small innocuous water leak but awarded the homeowner with a multimillion dollar verdict. It is pointed out that the number of mold-related claims in the State of Texas alone rose from 7000 in the year 2000 to 37,000 in the year 2001! These claims were further fueled by the presence of tropical storm Alison, which occurred in June of 2001 and affected the Houston metropolitan area for approximately 2 days, resulting in massive flooding along the Gulf Coast. In Houston alone, there was a 58% increase in claims, representing 2.96 claims for every 1000 households. There have been many high profile lawsuits reported in the press, including that of Johnny Carson's ex-sidekick, Ed McMahon, who brought suit against his insurance company for 20 million dollars in April of 2002 for the death of his dog, which was alleged to have been due to exposures to mycotoxins from Stachybotyrs chartarum. Sports stars have not been immune from this weight of litigation. Michael Jordan has required that his home in the Washington, DC area at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel have extensive renovation due to the perception of mold-related problems. The celebrity status of some of these claims has resulted in increased hysteria in the general population. The ultimate effect of this hysterical response to suspected phoma-related problems has had a tremendous impact on the insurance industry, with more than 1.3 billion dollars spent in 2002 to settle lawsuits and mold-related damages.^[7] Unfortunately, the response from the insurance industry has clearly been to settle cases and to attempt to no longer put themselves at risk of covering potential mold-related damages. Recently, the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company has attempted to eliminate coverage from mold-related damages in 33 states.
 
There is little doubt that mold can indeed result in human disease. Mold exposure can result in allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, allergic sinus disease, and pulmonary hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Despite the fact that there is no doubt that mold can result in human disease, aside from these specific incidences, there was very little data to support human disease caused by "mycotoxins." All of the presenters emphasized the need for further research in this area.
 
References