MYCOTOXINS: A DEEP DIVE
Understand the health effects of mycotoxins in indoor environments. Learn testing methods, symptoms, and effective solutions for reducing exposure at home.
By Tim | July 10, 2023
INTRODUCTION TO MYCOTOXINS
Welcome readers – the mycotoxin experts, the mold-curious, those who are looking for answers.
Each member of our team here at Superstratum has been deeply impacted by the myriad of serious illnesses related to mycotoxin exposure – through personal experience or that of a close friend or family member. And we’re willing to bet that you, the reader, are no different. The hardest part is, those who are sick rarely know the root cause of their waning health due to the lack of public attention to this silent killer.
Our mission is highly personal. It also can’t be completed in a vacuum – it takes a collaborative vendetta to bring to light the illusive epidemic that is mycotoxin contamination from Sick Buildings. And it takes guts to shake up the entrenched remediation industry with a new solution.
Mycotoxins are compounds produced by many molds, and have escaped the spotlight of mainstream conversations, leaving many vulnerable and uninformed. While the world seems fixated on threats covered in the media, an invisible killer has silently infiltrated our homes, workplaces, and the air we breathe – receiving little to no media attention. Superstratum is on a mission to change that.
In this article and those that follow, we will discuss the evolution and function of mycotoxins in the fungal world, the modern “sick-building” epidemic, and the wide ranging impacts of mycotoxins on human health. We will discuss how to recognize symptoms of mycotoxin exposure, options for testing your home and body for mycotoxins, and solutions to mycotoxin contamination in the home.
Function of Mycotoxins in the Fungal World
Within the fungal world, mycotoxins enable molds to survive and thrive in various environments. These cunning substances are not mere accidental byproducts, but rather strategic weapons employed by molds to secure their dominance.
“Fungi make worlds. They also unmake them”
– Entangled Life, by Merlin Sheldrake
It’s an incredible thought – fungi were likely the first life on land, well before plants, and roughly a billion years before humans arrived on the scene (Loron and Borensztajn 2). They will also likely be the last living organisms – feeding on the decaying remnants of life on earth billions of years from now. Fungi’s incredible survivability can be attributed to their seemingly intelligent metabolic processes.
The complexity of fungal metabolism is well represented in many molds, a part of the fungal kingdom – specifically in the production of mycotoxins, mold’s key defense mechanism against other living organisms. This tactic has proven clearly effective though hundreds of millions of years of evolution and propagation.
By understanding how molds use mycotoxins, we can develop targeted approaches to disrupt their disease causing ability and heal our environments.
For a deeper dive into mycotoxins – check out our blog on The Function of Mycotoxins.
Sick Buildings and Mycotoxins
What does the 1970’s energy crisis have to do with the skyrocketing prevalence of chronic illness in the US? Everything. Let’s dig in and find out why.
First, the cost of heating homes quintupled in the 70’s. Homes back then weren’t well sealed, there was plenty of ventilation, and air continually circulated through walls and roofs. Higher energy prices led to the construction of tightly sealed, plastic-wrapped homes to save on heating costs.
These well-intentioned actions had unintended consequences for indoor air quality and the health of inhabitants. Mold needs three things to thrive: oxygen, moisture, and organic materials as food. Now, we live in homes made of wood and wood byproducts (perfect mold food), with central HVAC (a toxin and spore superhighway), and we wrap them in plastic… basically creating a petri dish primed for fungal colonization… at least you save some dough on heating?
THE MAKING OF A SICK BUILDING
In modern homes, with their limited ventilation and central air conditioning systems, moisture becomes trapped, spores circulate through the lungs of the building (HVAC), creating an ideal habitat for mold.
Traditional mold remediation practices focus on removing visible mold but overlook the larger issue. If you have mold, you have a sick building – the presence of mold is a symptom of a larger problem. Treat only the symptom, and it’s bound to return.
Think about it this way – if a urine test identifies the presence of toxins, the Doctor doesn’t just treat the bladder. It’s a whole system issue – why haven’t we treated the home this way when mold is found in the crawlspace or bathroom? Treat the symptom of a sick building and you still have a sick building… It takes a holistic approach to heal the home.
For more information check out our Solutions Page.
Health Impacts of Mycotoxins
Exposure to mycotoxins in our indoor environments can have far-reaching impacts on our health – many of which are only just coming into the mainstream attention of traditional medicine. These toxic substances have been linked to compounding adverse impacts on the health of exposed individuals including:
- Insomnia
- Neurological Disorders
- Weakened immune function
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic Disorders
- Meningitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Unexplained weight gain
- Learning disabilities
- Brain fog
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
- Alpha-gal Syndrome
- Chronic Lyme Disease
Understanding the potential health consequences of mycotoxin exposure is essential for detection and effective treatment.
“Genetic traits can greatly affect how likely someone is to have serious problems from mycotoxins.”
Up to 25% of the population may have genetic variations, such as the HLA-DR gene, which can make them more susceptible to the health effects of mycotoxin exposure. These genetic factors contribute to the variability in how our bodies break down toxins and respond to mycotoxin exposure. Two people living in the same sick building can have completely different health results due to their own personal biology.
Accurate detection and appropriate treatment are crucial in mitigating the health effects of mycotoxin exposure. If you suspect mycotoxin contamination in your indoor environment or are experiencing unexplained health symptoms like the ones we listed above, then attention to these problems is of utmost importance. In a later blog, we will discuss some options for testing for mold and mycotoxins in both the body and the indoor environment.
SOLUTIONS FOR MYCOTOXINS IN THE HOME
Mold remediation solutions vary in their techniques and application – but for us, the root of the issue is this – traditional remediation solutions concentrate the majority of efforts on containing and removing visible mold, but they don’t address the real killer, mycotoxins.
As the key weapon in our fight against the Sick Building epidemic, we have created, with the help of chemists, doctors, and industry professionals, the first patent-pending protocol for mycotoxin remediation.
Here’s a quick dive into our flagship products to address the entire issue. Keep in mind, active mold needs to be removed, and HVAC should be cleaned as well.
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Superstratum Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl): Our HOCl is made by applying a low electrical charge to a combination of salt and water. HOCl is all-natural, bleach-free, and does not contain any carcinogens or harmful synthetic chemicals. In fact, your white blood cells are using this chemistry right now to fight off foreign invaders. Spray the cleaner onto mold or fog it into the air to break the molecular bond of microbes and mycotoxins. This is the first lab-tested solution proven effective at destroying mycotoxins on building materials. View the whitepaper here.
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The Superstratum Remediation Bomb: Our Remediation Bomb is a dry packet that produces chlorine dioxide (CLO2) gas when activated with water. We use this technology to address areas you can’t reach with a rag – like behind walls and deep in the micro-cracks of surfaces. It powerfully eliminates odors caused by mold, mildew, smoke, pet urine, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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Superstratum Smart Polymer Coating: Our first chemistry project, and cherry-on-top of the mycotoxin protocol uses Smart Polymers to create a protective coating that resists mold on its surface and prevents the creation of mycotoxins. Smart Polymers deliver unparalleled protection against mold, mildew, and microbes and far outperform any other solution. Smart polymers are adaptive, stimuli responsive, and long lasting polymer coatings. We are the only company using this unique technology in the fight against mold and mycotoxins.
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KHAOS™ Air Purifier: Create a bubble of protection and sanitize the air and surfaces in your home with active and passive ionization – with a more powerful ionization charge than any other purifier on the market. This patented air purification unit with MCI™ (Multi-Clustered Ionization) Technology is designed to keep the air and surfaces clean of bacteria, mold and viruses while improving the indoor air quality. Dealing with pollutants in a proactive way, the KHAOS™ uses HEPA-grade filtration and produces aggressive ionized oxidizers with MCI™ (multi-cluster ionization), distributed throughout the home or office to purify, protect and prevent.
SUPERSTRATUM – DESIGNED TO DESTROY MYCOTOXINS
Hypochlorous Acid
Chlorine Dioxide
Smart Polymers
Conclusion
Our modern, plastic wrapped, air-tight home with central HVAC is the perfect place for widespread mold colonization. Most people are aware that mold growth in homes needs to be addressed, but there’s a large information gap here. If you have mold, you have a sick building – the presence of mold is a symptom of a larger problem.
Think about it this way – if a urine test identifies the presence of toxins, the Doctor doesn’t just treat the bladder. It’s a whole system issue – why haven’t we treated the home this way when mold is found in the crawlspace or bathroom? Treat the symptom of a sick building and you still have a sick building… It takes a holistic approach to heal the home.
In conclusion, by recognizing the health effects of mycotoxins, exploring their functions in the fungal world, and implementing practical solutions for mitigation, we can create healthier indoor environments and improve the well-being of occupants. Empowered with knowledge and armed with effective strategies, we can combat mycotoxin contamination and promote healthier living spaces for everyone.
Disclosures: To properly address a sick building, active mold must be removed first. We recommend regular HVAC cleaning to maintain healthy air quality via the lungs of the home. Working with mold and mycotoxins comes with risk, ensure proper protective measures to prevent acute exposure. This document and company does not provide medical advice and any statement from the Superstratum Team is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Nor is it a substitute for professional environmental hygienists or remediators. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read in Superstratum Literature.
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