Fungi expert says some moulds are dangerous, but not others Mould produces seed-like spores that travel through the air. When you breathe, these spores enter your body and can cause health problems. Experts say that exposure to low levels of mould at school or at home will not produce serious symptoms in most people. But children with allergies or asthma may show some symptoms. If the mould spores contain toxins, the risks are more serious.
Toxic spores can cause memory loss and affect the nervous system.
The good news is that when mould is removed, or a person is removed from a mouldy environment, the symptoms of these illnesses go away. A microbiologist told Street Cents he knew of no lasting effects of mould exposure. Stachybotrys is a type of slow-growing fungus that grows well on materials such as straw, grass, sawdust and lumber. Wet drywall and ceiling tiles can also support the growth of Stachybotrys. Persons with chronic exposure to the toxin have cold or flu-like symptoms with sore throat, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss.