What Can Black Mold Do?

Mold in a home often leads to concern about its effects, but few molds cause as much anxiety about its appearance as black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum). Sometimes misleadingly called toxic mold, black mold grows in homes with sufficient levels of dampness, such as water leaks, flooding damage or high humidity levels. This mold causes several different effects in people and pets alike.

Health Effects

In general, mold has no effect on average people with healthy immune systems. People with sensitivity to mold, however, experience several effects from exposure to black mold or other types of mold. Mold sensitivity may exist in people with asthma or allergies, as well as those with compromised immune systems, such as people with HIV, the elderly, organ-transplant recipients or chemotherapy patients. When people with a weaker immune system have exposure to black mold, symptoms resemble an allergic reaction to dust or animal dander. Sneezing, difficulty breathing and coughing all stem from mold exposure. The mold itself lacks toxicity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; instead, black mold can produce toxins known as mycotoxins, which then get into the atmosphere. When humans with mold sensitivity breathe these spores in, they experience allergic reactions.

Black Mold and Children

Parents often worry that black mold exposure can seriously harm their children. In many cases, children's exposure to black mold leads to similar symptoms as adults -- coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Infant exposure to black mold, however, may produce a more severe result known as pulmonary hemosiderosis. Pulmonary hemosiderosis is bleeding in the lungs, and infants diagnosed with this cough up blood or have blood coming from their lungs. According to Case Western Reserve University's Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, several infants died from pulmonary hemosiderosis in the Cleveland, Ohio, area and were thought to have been exposed to black mold. The CDC, however, notes that no definitive link between black mold exposure and pulmonary hemosiderosis has been made.

Pregnant Women

Pregnant women and breastfeeding women may also experience respiratory trouble, sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, rashes and occasionally a fever, all caused by black mold. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that not enough studies have been performed on pregnant and breastfeeding women and their exposure to mold. However, studies noted that some molds raise the risk of birth defects in animals. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit their mold exposure as a preventive measure to ensure the health and safety of their children.

Pets and Mold

A case reported in 2007 revealed two cats that experienced acute pulmonary hemorrhaging during routine anesthesia for dental cleaning had been exposed to black mold. One of the cats died about 30 hours after initial treatment. The other cat responded to treatment and was released but subsequently died as well. The cats' home was found to be severely contaminated with black mold because of storm damage. A co-author of the report, Douglas Mader, DVM, states it's likely that dogs can experience the same reaction to severe mold exposure.