Stachybotrys Chartarum

Stachybotrys Chartarum

Stachybotrys Chartarum, also known as the Stachybotrys atra, is a toxic greenish black mold that can grow indoor and outdoor (CDC, 2004). The molds can enter through holes from outside to inside such as from the door way or the window. They also attach to human clothing and shoes so when they walk in to a building the spores are carried in. Stachybotrys Chartarum produces high toxic product called mycotoxin that often bring severe diseases to animals and humans (Nelson, 2001). This kind of mold can grow on substrate with high cellulose and low nutrients contents unlike many other fungi (CDC, 2004). Hence, it can grow on straw, hey, wood, lint and many others. However, for this mold to grow extensively requires a period of exposure to high humidity conditions. It can also grow indoors when it is exposed to large water condensation in buildings and basements such as where it has a water leakage on the walls or roofs. Basically, anywhere that is exposed to large moisture like in the bathrooms. Along the mold can also adhere to the wallpaper, paint, cardboards, dust and wood. This happens especially after there is flood damage to the house or water infiltration.

The growing of S.Chartarum indoor often causes the Sick Building Syndrome leading to many diseases such as, fatigue, headache, pain and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, and pulmonary disease to the residents (Nelson, 2001). In order to get the mold out of the house, the easiest way is to clean the surface where the mold is with soap and water or by using bleach solution (CDC, 2004). If the mold gets to big and deep, it would be better to consult professional removers. However, the best way to prevent it from growing is to make sure that the building is dry so it will not become a media for the mold to grow on.

The exposure to toxic mold can dangerously affect human health, most of the toxic mold, like S.Chartarum can cause pulmonary hemorrhage, headache, nausea, muscle pains, and fatigue (DOH, 2005). However, these effects depend mostly on each individual body. For some people it can cause asthma and respiratory problems, while others can tolerate to another extent with no particular symptom. The main reason may be because some people have weaker and a more suppressed immune system especially for elderly and infants. According to the Health and Energy group, infant and children on the contrary are more susceptible to serious health problems from mycotoxin exposure (H&E). Along this, the Centers for Disease Control and Cleveland and Prevention in Atlanta's study done in Cleveland also concluded that there are no clear proof that S.Chartarum is directly linked to pulmonary hemorrhage (Nelson, 2001).

In my opinion, although there may not be direct evidence that S.Chartarum is directly associated with many diseases mentioned, it is shown that somehow S. Chartarum is still related to human health. Moreover, S. Chartarum is a kind of toxic mold, and along with other toxic mold, although they may not be toxic, they may be harmful to human health. Unlike the regular mold which may only trigger allergies on certain people, but in general toxic mold can cause health problem. Just as what An eJustice Group stated, "Toxic mold affects health even in small amounts...a Florida study has concluded that people's immune system changed with regular exposure to toxic mold even at low levels (Toxic Mold- Toxic Mold Symptoms)." For what I think, we should all still be aware of the danger especially for the young, like infants and children, even though there is still no accurate evidence.

Since there is an increase of mold contamination, this has brought up serious issues between homeowners and insurance companies, like when there is a selling and buying of houses. From the insurance companies view, they are very not willing to pay for any damage from mold. The insurance companies believe that it is the matter of the homeowners (III, 2005). From the Air Conditioning Contractors of America's (ACCA's) recent conference's point of view, the initial speaker, Tom Norris stated that "...more insurance companies are more worried about the bodily injury of mold than they are of property damage. So they may exclude bodily injury and offer some property damage coverage... (Skaer, 2002)." Other insurance companies refuse to pay because they think that mold grows gradually, little by little, and it can be easily taken care of regularly at home (Sage, 2005).

Since molds cannot grow instantly and spontaneously, the result of the growth of the mold in the homes, I believe, are the residents own responsibility to take care of. Although many houses are in the position of flood zone, yet there are many methods to prevent the growth of mold. However, as this topic is rising gradually nowadays, it is essential to thoroughly discuss the importance of this problem. In my point of view, I think to an extent this kind of fungus can lead to extreme disease that can cause health hazards to the residents; therefore, I think that there can be two types of insurances involved; the first one being the health insurance and the second one is the property insurance. For the health insurance, there then should be bodily injury coverage but the property insurance should then cover the property damage. As a result, when one gets disease or sickness because of the mold, the health insurance can do the coverage. At the same time, when the mold gets into the house leading to several problems, I think there should be a policy that the residents can request the builder of the house to do an inspection around the house, because the growth of the mold due to the moisture or humidity may be a cause of construction problem resulting a wall or roof leakage.

In many cases, the legal rights of residents and the property owners are not properly balanced. For instance, the property owners did not fully consider the rights of the residents. At the same time, the customer may not realize that there is a need for them to protect their own rights and privileges. As a result, this often causes many problems after the customers have moved in. In my opinion, when they sell or rent their houses to the customers, the property owner should specify if there is any damage in the house. It would