Fungal infections are among the most difficult diseases to diagnose and manage and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that globally, fungal infections occur in at least 13 million people and cause more than 1.5 million deaths every year, costing billions of dollars. Out of millions of fungal species, only several hundred species cause diseases among humans, primarily in immunocompromised and critically ill individuals, and only a very few fungal species can affect healthy individuals. The number of at-risk individuals is unfortunately increasing globally over time due to the rise in immunocompromised population, like diabetes, along with genetic predisposition and environmental factors (e.g., globalization, urbanization, overcrowding, poor living conditions, socioeconomic conditions, climate change). These factors increase mold-infested buildings, exposure to inhibitants, and mold-related health complications. Molds, spores, and hyphal fragments cause variety of allergies among people living or working in mold-infested buildings; exposure to mycotoxins can also cause systemic toxicities to many organs like respiratory and nervous systems, liver, kidney, and developing fetuses; some of them are proven carcinogens. Exposure to mycotoxins can also make individuals susceptible to microbial infections/diseases. To estimate mold infestation inside a building, levels of mold spores and hyphal fragments, is determined in air and dust and compared with the background levels. To understand if other microorganisms may also be responsible for adverse health effects, samples are also collected and analyzed for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and endotoxins. Exposure of inhabitants is estimated by determining levels of mycotoxins in urine (and sometimes in blood) and levels of bacteria and molds in feces. This paper compiles and describes commonly detected molds, their components, mycotoxins, and bacteria from inside of over 800 suspected mold infested buildings and over 2000 residents for the benefit of researchers and those working in this area.

MMold, Mycotoxin, Molds indoor, Toxicity of mycotoxins, Adverse health effects of molds, Mold exposure, Mold risk assessment, Mycotoxin exposure, Mycotoxin risk assessment