black mold stachybotrys chartarum

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BLACK MOLD Stachybotrys chartarum

Presented by:

KRISTIN B. LABASAN ALEJANDRO DY

III-BSCT | PNU-MANILA


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


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.


“Black Mold ” “Toxic Mold” “Killer Mold”

Stachybotrys chartarum

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Fungi

Division: Ascomycota

Class: Sordariomycetes

Order: Hypocreales

Genus: Stachybotrys

Species: S. chartarum


“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


•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.


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.


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.


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.


TOXINS

trichothecene mycotoxins


TOXICOLOGY AND TOXICOKINETICSMechanisms 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


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.


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.

black mold stachybotrys chartarum

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