MOLD DOGS AND OTHER HOAXES

It is very unfortunate that with even with the best of intentions some people just do not get it right. This is the case with either misunderstanding, naivete, ignorance or just not wanting to know the facts as in the case of the use of dogs for sniffing out mold. Everyone know that our four legged friends are great at sniffing out odors since their survival depends on it more so than for humans. And yes in many cases humans employ animals for their ability to find lost children, search for people trapped under rubble, sniffing for bombs or illegal contraband. These uses are acceptable for there is little to no risk to animals. But in the case of checking for fungi and especially toxic and infectious molds the animals are using the system that is the main port on entry of toxic and infectious molds and that is through the respiratory system.

Medical research is clear and all one has to do is take a quick look to see what it is all about:

http://www.njmoldinspection.com/molddog.html

ALLERGENIC AND INFECTIOUS MOLDS

With so much emphasis on toxic molds we forget that the primary risk is of an allergenic nature since it is very clear that exposure to mold does cause allergic and immune type responses in humans and animals but rarely identified properly.

Infections from mold are at three specific levels topical, subcutaneous and systemic. Diagnosis of such infections are very difficult and too often misdiagnosed as a "cancer".

Pathologists in diagnostic medical mycology understand this very well.

MOLD GROWTH IN THE LUNGS

Northern New Jersey 2006. A 25 year old female a non-smoker during routine chest X-ray was found to have a large mass in the left lung. Upon biopsy it was determined that the this was an Aspergilloma, a fungal ball as a result of the exposure to the Aspergillus fungi. The family requested a "mold inspection" and the home was inspected for the fungal mold but was not identified. The patient contacted a medical mycologist for consultation. A subsequent investigation identified the specie of fungus that caused here condition extensively in the basement of the home. it was overlooked and was not identified by an untrained "mold inspector".

NASAL APERGILLOSIS WITH NECROSIS

47 year old woman complaing of headache with nasal discharge is diagnosed as have "cancer" of the olfactory bulb. Study including pathology, histology and cytology by medical mycologist identifies Aspergilli in tissue and provides a report identifying the presence of this fungi. Medical follow-up in consideration of the study adds to the medical regime a course of antifungals and the patient becomes stabilized.

The working environment of the patient identified a massive presence of fungi including the Aspergilli.

UNDERSTANDING TOXIC MOLD

As much as has been written about toxic mold still too much is left unsaid and in confusion.
Many of the "toxic mold" experts are in ongoing disagreement what is toxic what is not toxic when it comes to molds that are found in the workplace, schools or the home.


Medical mycologists are clear that the majority of the so-called "black molds" that are claimed to be toxic and pose no risk or danger. In the recent Discovery Channel show "Is Your House Out to Get You" medical mycologists and physicians detail true environmental and toxic mold health risks.

This show featured many of America's leading health professionals from academia and clinical research.