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Mold health issues are potentially harmful effects of molds and their mycotoxins. However, recent research has shown these adverse health effects stem not just from molds, but also other microbial agents and biotoxins associated with dampness, mold, and water-damaged buildings, such as gram-negative bacteria that produce endotoxins, and actinomycetes and their associated exotoxins.
Molds and many related microbial agents are ubiquitous in the biosphere, and mold spores are a common component of household and workplace dust. While the vast majority of molds are not hazardous to humans, a few are known to be, and reaction to molds can vary between individuals, from relatively minor allergic reactions through to severe multi-system inflammatory effects, and even neurological problems and death. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its June 2006 report, 'Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and Major Floods,' that "excessive exposure to mold-contaminated materials can cause adverse health effects in susceptible persons regardless of the type of mold or the extent of contamination." Mold spores and associated toxins can cause harm primarily via inhalation, ingestion, and contact. In abnormally high quantities, they can present especially hazardous health risks to humans after prolonged exposure, with three generally accepted mechanisms of harm and a fourth probable mechanism: