Experts Clarify Mold Risks in Homes: When It Truly Threatens Health

Black mold spots commonly found on ceilings, shower walls, or cabinets raise health concerns among many Israelis. To address these worries and separate myth from fact, Professor Eitan Friedman, head of the Genetic Institute for Early Detection at Assuta Ramat Hahayal, discussed recent findings on mold-related health risks. A recent CDC study in the United States examined nearly 1,000 hospitalized patients, mostly during the COVID-19 pandemic, across four hospitals. Approximately 46% of these patients suffered infections caused by Aspergillus fungus, a type of mold. However, Friedman emphasized that this data does not imply a public health panic regarding household mold exposure. He clarified that the infections occurred primarily in hospitalized individuals, especially those in intensive care units, and not in healthy people exposed to mold at home. For individuals with normal immune systems, mold exposure may trigger allergic reactions or asthma but does not typically cause severe fungal infections. Friedman reiterated that not all mold poses a real threat to healthy, non-hospitalized people. Consequently, while it is advisable to address mold issues to improve living conditions, there is no need for alarm over deadly infections from household mold.