Mold and Health – the basics

Mold isn’t just a smell or a stain—the real issue is what mold releases into the air once it starts growing. The main health-related offenders are:

✅ 1. Spores

Mold reproduces by releasing microscopic spores that float in the air.
When people breathe them in, the body sees them as foreign particles and reacts.

Effects:

• Allergies (sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, coughing)
• Asthma flare-ups
• Sinus irritation
• Persistent cough or post-nasal drip
• In some people: skin rashes or hives

Sensitive groups—kids, elderly, asthmatics, people with weakened immune systems—react faster and harder.

✅ 2. Mycotoxins

Some molds produce chemical toxins called mycotoxins.
Not all mold species do, but some common indoor ones can, including Stachybotrys (black mold), Aspergillus, and Penicillium.

Effects can include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Brain fog/difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Irritated throat
• More severe issues in those with chronic exposure or weak immune systems

Mycotoxins don’t have a smell—you can’t “sniff” your way to knowing if they’re present.

✅ 3. Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs)

Mold off-gasses chemicals while growing.
This is what produces that musty, damp, “old basement” smell.

These gases can cause:

• Nausea
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Irritated eyes, nose, or throat

Even after visible mold is removed, MVOCs can linger in fabric, seats, carpet, foam, ductwork, etc.—which is why cars or homes can still “smell moldy” after cleaning.

✅ 4. Allergens + Immune System Overload

Even dead mold particles can trigger reactions.
This is one reason bleach alone isn’t effective—it can kill surface mold but leaves behind allergenic debris and spores.

✅ Why Cars Make Symptoms Worse

A car is:

• Small
• Enclosed
• Full of absorbent materials (foam, headliner, carpet)
• Heated/cooled constantly, which moves air and spores around

So even a small mold source can saturate the cabin with spores and MVOCs.

People often report:

• Burning eyes when driving
• Headaches after 20–30 minutes in the car
• Sore throat
• Fatigue on longer trips
• “Brain fog” or feeling groggy

✅ Severe or Chronic Reactions

For people with asthma, immune issues, or mold sensitivity:

• Trouble breathing
• Chest tightness
• Chronic sinus infections
• Bronchitis-like symptoms
• Long-term inflammation

Mold exposure doesn’t always hit suddenly—it often shows up as “I don’t feel good but don’t know why.”

✅ The Bottom Line

Health issues come from what mold puts into the air: