I saw an interesting article when browsing Google News today on the possible health risks associated with black mold, and I was surprised to see that it listed miscarriage.
I'm familiar with quite a few risk factors for and causes of miscarriage, having written about pregnancy loss for years, but this was one I hadn't heard before. So I decided to investigate. A few Google searches later, it seems that many animal studies have found possible risks to mold toxin exposure during pregnancy -- and there are numerous anecdotal reports of pregnancy loss after mold toxin exposure -- but there's not any scientific proof that having mold in your home causes miscarriage.
Of course, this sounds to me like one of those things that just because it hasn't been proven doesn't mean that it won't be. Toxic mold in your home is one of those things that just isn't good news no matter how you look at it, so it is definitely worth avoiding and also doing something about it if your home is affected. About.com's home buying guide has more on black mold for those who are interested.
I just read your the article- Black Mold and Miscarriage
Sunday July 20, 2008
I’ve been doing research regarding possible health risks associated with black mold exposure, and I too am very surprised to see that it listed miscarriage.
Tou mentioned that many animal studies have found possible risks to mold toxin exposure during pregnancy — and there are numerous anecdotal reports of pregnancy loss after mold toxin exposure — but there’s not any scientific proof that having mold in your home causes miscarriage.
Of course, this sounds to me like one of those things that just because it hasn’t been proven doesn’t mean that it’s not a factor.
My classroom that I occupied this year from August 2009- December 2009 was found to have had black mold behind the sheetrock for years. Everytime I entered my classroom, the room that we held our weekly special education meetings, the classroom next to mine, and the teachers lounge all had black mold growing behind the walls. They did mold remedation on February 23, 2010, by March 5 i was rushed to the hospital from what I now know to be a miscarriage which ended the pregnacy. They found aspergillus/penicillium and the cladosprium, both of which I am allergic to as per skin testing from the allergist. Oh, the gym where I teach in the after school program had “slightly elevated levels” as well. They condcuted mold remedaition in the gym as well.
The school was never closed due to mold remediation. Teachers were students were still in the building!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am deeply saddened by your loss. My son died and I delivered him in December. Our house became infested in September and “cleaned” professionally. We had another company come out and test and ended up vacating our home for two months for a total demo and rebuild in our downstairs.
You don’t have to be allergic to mold to get sick. It is an airborn illness and a biotoxin that can do things you wouldn’t imagine – but maybe you don’t have to…