The Other Side of Mould... Mycotoxins

There has been much conversation around mould in homes in relation to spore emission during the process of growth, but while there is ongoing research on mycotoxins, very little is known publicly about this additional possible aspect of mould growth indoors. According to Bennett and Kilch (2003), “Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi.” We know that mould impacts human health but the HOW is still undergoing research as this blog is being written. Mycotoxins have been much discussed in relation to ingestion through food but not as widely as relates to localized indoor mould growth.

Certain mycotoxins are known to have the potential to cause symptoms of SBS, including headache, fatigue, nausea, and irritations of the respiratory tract in humans. In the publication, “A comprehensive Review of Mycotoxins, their toxicity and Innovative Detoxification Methods.” Shekhar et al. (2025) discuss mycotoxicosis, ‘a sickness caused because of mycotoxins that affect several organs and may cause death if exposed to high concentrations.’ They go on to state that, “The potential source for mycotoxin exposure is through contaminated food, contact and inhalation.”

Some mould types identified by researchers in relation to mycotoxin production are; Stachybotrys (most studied), Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria (Lindemann et al, 2022).

Lindemann et al in their 2022 journal contribution, “Analysis of mould and mycotoxins in naturally infested indoor building materials,” speak to the additional not often discussed aspect of mycotoxins ,which is that they ‘are partially transferred to other indoor media like air and dust alongside spores or fungal fragments.’ They continue,  “In house dust, mycotoxin levels are lower, but the potential of human intake is elevated as oral and dermal uptake of present mycotoxins is enabled” (Butte and Heinzow cited in Lindemann et al, 2022). They also state that ‘studies investigating mycotoxins in house dust revealed, among others, the presence of several known secondary metabolites of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys’ (Bloom et al. 2009a; Došen et al. 2016; Lindemann et al. 2022; Richard et al. 1999; Vishwanath et al. 2011). This emphasises an additional need for ensuring that homes and offices regularly undergo deep cleaning exercises to avoid dust accumulation.

It is of the utmost importance that our homes and office spaces are free of mould growth. Stay on top of the health of the occupants of the spaces we occupy on a daily basis. Get a proactive assessment; get your post-remedial exercise assessment – be certain that corrective action for mould indoors has been effective.

REFERENCES

Bennett, J W, and M Klich. “Mycotoxins.” Clinical microbiology reviews vol. 16,3 (2003): 497-516. doi:10.1128/CMR.16.3.497-516.2003

Lindemann, Viktoria et al. “Analysis of mould and mycotoxins in naturally infested indoor building materials.” Mycotoxin Research vol. 38,3 (2022): 205-220. doi:10.1007/s12550-022-00461-3

Shekhar, Ravikant, Raghavendra, Vinay B. and Rachitha B. “A comprehensive review of mycotoxins, their toxicity, and innovative detoxification methods.” Toxicology Reports vol. 14, June 2025. Sourced: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750025000708