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Exposure to Common Mold Toxin In Food Impairs Growth in West African Children

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' publication Environmental Health Perspectives Releases Report on Aflatoxins and Impaired Growth

September 2, 2004

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Aflatoxins and Impaired Growth

-- Aflatoxins

-- Exposure to Common Mold Toxin In Food Impairs Growth in West African Children

-- Colorado State University's Discussion of Aflatoxins

-- Brief Commentary - Aflatoxins and Indoor Mold

Dear C,

I really debated with myself before sending out this e- mail, for a couple of reasons. First, I think that the report discussed in this e-mail is going to alarm people. (The title of the report itself invites exciting headlines.) Second, the fact that aflatoxins are a problem has been recognized since 1961.

Aflatoxins

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"Certain species of fungi also produce some very toxic substances known as mycotoxins . . . particularly noteworthy examples are . . the aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus on various nuts and grains" Introductory Mycology, Fourth Edition, Alexopoulos, C.J., et al. 1996. Aflatoxins were named for a deadly toxin produced by Aspergillus flavus. Other species that can produce aflatoxins include Aspergillus nomius , Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus ochraceoroseus. Aflatoxins: Occurrence and Health Risks, Cornell University; Microorganisms In Home and Indoor Work Environments, Flannigan, Brian et. al., 2001; www.aspergillus.man.ac.uk.

In other words, aflatoxins are produced by several different species of Aspergillus. Most Aspergillus species do not produce aflatoxins, although many other Aspergillus species do produce different kinds of mycotoxins. non- Aspergillus fungi do not produce aflatoxins, but can produce mycotoxins.

Exposure to Common Mold Toxin In Food Impairs Growth in West African Children

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Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites that contaminate dietary staple foods such as groundnuts and maize in agroecologies where hot, humid climates combine with poor food storage conditions to facilitate fungal growth and toxin production [International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2002]. Aflatoxins are proven hepatocarcinogens in many animal species. In populations in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, exposure is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, particularly in individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (Hall and Wild 1994; IARC 2002; Wild and Turner 2002). In addition to their carcinogenic properties, aflatoxins can cause growth retardation and impairment of immune function in animals (Raisuddin et al. 1993). However, to date there has been little investigation of these latter parameters in exposed human populations. In one study of Gambian children, Turner et al. (2003) found evidence of a reduced level of salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) in exposed individuals but no effect on antibody titers to pneumococcal and rabies vaccines.

Aflatoxin exposure cannot be measured accurately at the individual level through a combination of questionnaire-based approach and food analysis, primarily because the heterogeneity of toxin distribution within a particular food product makes representative sampling impractical. Exposure biomarkers have been developed to circumvent this problem, including serum aflatoxin-albumin (AF-alb) adducts that reflect recent past exposure (previous 2-3 months) (Wild and Turner 2002).

Colorado State University's Discussion of Aflatoxins

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Aflatoxin, a toxic metabolic by-product of certain fungi, is a threat to the safe use of corn products as food for humans and livestock. National news accounts generally quote that the Midwest to Southeast areas of the United States may experience serious problems with aflatoxin in corn.

Brief Commentary - Aflatoxins and Indoor Mold

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This report addresses aflatoxins that were eaten because food was made with contaminated grain. Since most folks that read this newsletter are interested indoor mold, so the question is: based on this report, should we be worried about airborne aflatoxins in the indoor environment?

Contact Information

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email: cmulvihill@cmsynergy.com

phone: 626-358-7471

web: http://www.cmsynergy.com/California/California%20Law%20Firms/cynthia_coulter_mulvihill.htm