You may not realize it but the seemingly simple molds you see in your home might become a source of serious illness for you and your family.

In a study featured in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, French researchers discovered how exposure to molds and fungi found on the walls of homes can make people sick. They traced the culprit to various chemicals known as mycotoxins, which are often released into the air by these organisms.

Humans or animals who inhale these airborne mycotoxins can suffer severe allergic reactions that could become life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Molds And Fungi In Home Wallpaper

According to the research team, as much as 20 to 40 percent of buildings in Northern Europe and North America show visible signs of fungal growth.

The Aspergillus versicolor, a well-known producer of the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin or STG, is one of the most common fungal contaminants of indoor environments. This organism can be found on various building materials, in dust particles and even in the air.

To find out how mycotoxins become airborne, the researchers examined three species of molds and fungi often found growing on the walls of homes. These are Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium brevicompactum and Stachybotrys chartarum.

All three species were grown on ordinary wallpaper and then subjected to a controlled simulation of airflow. The research team wanted to see how mycotoxins could get into the air without some form of interference from humans, such as tearing down walls.

The researchers found that various fungal species release different amounts of mycotoxins into the air. This could be related to how different fungi organized their mycelia, the way in which these organisms seek water and nutrition from the environment.

Fungi are also known to release mycotoxins differently. While some species unleash toxins through droplets of exudate, others release the chemicals by accumulating them in their spores. Understanding these processes can help scientists identify which fungal species are the main culprits in releasing mycotoxins into the environment.

So far, there isn't enough information on how airborne fungal toxins pose a serious threat to human health. Previous works have only focused on the dangers often found in food. The new study not only shows how hazardous mycotoxins are to people and animals, but it also reveals how these chemicals accumulate in homes.

Jean-Denis Bailly, one of the authors of the study, said the push to make homes more energy efficient may even be exacerbating the problem of mycotoxin buildup. With homes becoming increasingly insulated to save on cooling and heating, it provides suitable breeding environments for various fungal species.

Bailly pointed out that homeowners should consider the presence of mycotoxins as an important parameter in determining air quality indoors.

How To Improve Air Quality In Your Home

Keeping your home clean and fresh is one of the best ways to maintain good air quality indoors. You can get rid of airborne contaminants such as mycotoxins by eliminating environments where they could accumulate or breed.

You can use vacuums with HEPA filters to get rid of toxins and other hazardous particles that tend to build up on the walls and floors. Make sure to clean upholstered furniture and carpet edges as well since these tend to accumulate the most dust in homes.

After vacuuming, you can also follow it up by mopping your floor. These will help get rid of any lingering dust or allergens that were left. You can use microfiber dust cloths and mops to thoroughly clean surfaces even without the use of soaps and other cleaning solutions.

Also, try placing large floor mats at every door in your home. This will help reduce the amount of dirt and other contaminants that get into your home because of human traffic.

Keep the humidity in your home to about 30 to 50 percent to help prevent the buildup of molds and dust mites. Using dehumidifiers and air conditioners can help reduce moisture in indoor air and control the accumulation of allergens.

You can also consider turning your home into a no-smoking zone to get rid of the threat of secondhand cigarette smoke.