Mold as a Bioweapon

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mold as a bioweapon

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Everyone has eaten a piece of bread in their lifetime. Most of us haven’t finished a loaf of bread in time. I’m sure you can remember a time when you saw a speck of green on the corner of your week-old loaf of bread. Some people say to “scrape that mold off and eat it”.

Unfortunately, that probably wasn’t the best idea. The mold spores have already infiltrated the bag and spread to more than just the corners of that loaf. Mold can be a lot more dangerous than you think.

While old food is one way to spot mold, it can worsen. There are thousands of different types of mold in the world, but I’m not going to get into those. Only a few are toxic to humans—they can get into your house, too.

These types of mold have been known to humans for a long time. Did you know that it has also been used as a weapon? Even in ancient times, warring kingdoms have used biological warfare to launch attacks on their enemies, and it is still being used in some cases today.

We know the dangers of mold. We see the sick people who found out too late that they are now ill from mold exposure consistently.

So, what are our credentials?

We're an Orlando remediation and disaster repair company that the State of Florida has licensed for about 20 years. As you read through the history of mold as bio-weapons, consider what was used for the experiments.

What Is Mold?

Mold is basically… a fungus. It’s kind of like a mushroom. As I said, thousands of species are even getting into the 100,000s. Some molds are used in food like bread and other doughy foods, but others can harm a human’s health.

Do you get migraines often? Maybe you get nauseous daily or have a bloody nose that won’t stop. These are symptoms of exposure to black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, which is poisonous to humans. Black mold is usually in the house, but this is only one example of mold used as a biological weapon.

Ever since the Vietnam War back in the ’50s and ’60s, the government started developing and growing black mold as a bioweapon which was called “yellow rain”. It was made from trichothecene mycotoxin (T-2 mycotoxin), emitted by the black mold you may be familiar with and found in thousands of homes worldwide. Pretty scary, huh?

The difference between the stuff that might be in your home and the weapon is that the mycotoxin is much more concentrated. During the Vietnam War, the United States used T-2 mycotoxin bioweapon and dumped it along Vietnam's wooded and jungle areas. Many countries still grow it today.

Much later in the 1990s, it was reported that Iraq used this against American soldiers in the Persian Gulf War. It was proven that Iraq had researched T-2 mycotoxin during this time, along with other substances to use in biological warfare.

bioweapon black mold

US Government Classification

There are specific things that the government looks for when classifying something as a bioweapon. Mold is still one of them, especially considering its use in the Vietnam War. According to a few reputable sources that have worked with governments of the world, the research of T-2 mycotoxins has increased by more than 70% over the past three decades.

Currently, only research of seven substances has been made public as researched bioweapons. Remember the anthrax attacks back in the early 2000’s? We were afraid of checking our mail because of the incidents. I know I was.

Among Anthrax, the other six substances declared as bioweapons are tularemia, brucellosis, Q fever, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (or VEE), botulism, and enterotoxin type B. As you can see, T-2 mycotoxin isn’t on the list, which is very curious.

It isn’t known why the government hasn’t declassified the research of T-2 mycotoxin or yellow rain, but it most certainly has been used in war and in the recent couple of decades.  Perhaps it’s too deadly? Either way, there have been leaks that have stated there is a high percentage of government research being put into this fungus.

Its transfer through food, water, drops, spray, or smoke makes it more dangerous and more of a biological weapon. The easiest possible way to get intoxicated is to inhale it, but it can also be consumed and injected.

Fungai and Fungal Toxins as Weapons

Back in 2005, a study was put out by the British Mycological Society about mold as a bioweapon. It describes how this black mold and T-2 mycotoxins are used in chemical and germ warfare. It documents specific times the mycotoxins were used, especially in Iraq and the Gulf War.

Iraq had researched mycotoxins as a bioweapon in the 80s and used them in the Gulf War in the 90s. They installed them into warheads to use against the American soldiers, and traces of T-2 mycotoxins were found in various areas where they researched anthrax and other biological weapons.

According to the study, we could see a surge in biological warfare in the next few years (since this came out in 2006), should there be a larger confrontation, but it is difficult to dictate the use of weapons. It’s a good idea to be wary, though. Mold isn’t a fun experience.

A while back, mold was looked at but was soon passed off because it wasn’t easily converted into a bioweapon, but it has recently become a point of interest. Many governing bodies worldwide have become more and more interested in research. It is difficult to see where the future of biological warfare will go.

 

Exposure to Mold

If you weren’t involved in either of these confrontations, there’s still a chance you might encounter T-2 mycotoxin through food. While most mold is harmless to humans, the mold that grows on grains can be dangerous. T-2 mycotoxin grows on some grains and has been the cause of some product recalls throughout the years.

There have been a lot of horror stories about mold throughout the world. Back in the '60s and ’70s, it was ideal to build the common home as air-tight as possible to keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but these plans have started to backfire.

Because of the air's moisture and the homes' air-tight build, it has been a perfect area to grow mold—worse, it can be black mold. Some people have lost everything regarding black mold; this is the same thing governments are researching today as a bioweapon.  The yellow rain discussed during the Vietnam War is the same stuff, just more concentrated.

Symptoms of Black Mold

Whether or not you’ve been in the wars that have theoretically used T-2 mycotoxin or if your house has been invaded by black mold, there are ways to tell if you or your pets have been affected. You should consult your doctor immediately if anything like this is happening.

  • A burning sensation in your torso is followed by fatigue. It starts with the mouth and then steadily works down your throat and stomach. It can stay like this for a few days.
  • After the burning sensation lasts a few days, it can become gastroenteritis, stomach and small intestine inflammation. This can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and harsh abdominal pain.
  • After a while of the mold in your system, your bone marrow will begin to reduce, deteriorate, and break down.
  • Furthermore, the skin can start bleeding, your leukocytes will be reduced, and you may have problems with your nervous system.

Public Notice: Can mold cause diarrhea in babies? The answer is yes. It can be responsible for fungal exposure and health impacts. Mold produces allergens, irritants, and toxic substances that may lead to diarrhea in little ones. As parents, it's important not to ignore mold as a possible cause since infant diarrhea can cause dehydration and other serious complications. To keep your baby safe, ensure your living space is clean and dry; if any issues persist, don't hesitate to consult a healthcare professional.

Some terrible things happen when you’re affected by black mold or T-2 mycotoxins. You can get petechial hemorrhages, necrosis of muscles and skin, bacterial infections to that necrotic tissue, enlarged lymph nodes, and even suffocation from an enlarged larynx.

You can die from becoming intoxicated from T-2 mycotoxin, and there have been many fatalities from it already. It’s so bad that if it’s found in your house, it is incredibly difficult to get rid of, and you may also lose all your possessions.

If you experience any of these symptoms, as said above, you should consult your doctor. You may have black mold, and it’s not something that can easily be removed. Hiring a mold expert is a great way to see if you have mold.

Treatment for Mold Infection

If you have gotten out of a home or area contaminated with black mold or T-2 mycotoxins, there aren’t too many cures or solutions you can do. A natural detox is the best thing to get toxins out of your body.

According to the article above, the best method is supportive therapy, including a healthy diet and thorough hydration. Super-active charcoal is also a good idea, considering it can thoroughly cleanse the body.

It’s important to get one if you’re planning to buy a new house, considering that older or even newer ones can contain black mold—the same that is being researched for biological weaponry. A mold inspector can tell immediately when a house has mold or not. They know what to look for, whereas home inspectors and real estate agents do not.

The Ten Things You Should Know

According to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, you should know ten specific things about mold, whether it’s used as a bioweapon or in your house after a flood.

  1. Mold can cause many negative effects, including allergic reactions, respiratory complaints, and asthma.
  2. You must control moisture and dampness to eliminate all molds and mold spoors indoors. There is no practical way to remove all of it.
  3. Mold must be cleaned up, and the source moisture must be removed to remove it, especially in the home or school.
  4. The source of the water problem must be fixed to prevent further mold growth.
  5. To decrease indoor humidity by 30-60%, you must:
    • Vent bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside
    • Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners
    • Increase ventilation
    • and use exhaust fans during and after showering, cooking, cleaning, and dishwashing.
  6. If there are any wet building materials or furnishings, clean and dry them within 24-48 hours of being moistened.
  7. Mold must be cleaned off hard surfaces with water and detergent before completely drying. If there are absorbent surfaces like ceiling tiles, they should be replaced.
  8. Preventing condensation is also necessary. Add insulation to reduce condensation on cold surfaces like piping, windows, roves, floors, or the exterior of your home.
  9. If a problem area has moisture, don’t install carpeting. This will cause mold to grow beneath the material.
  10. Mold can grow on any substance and can be found almost anywhere. Mold thrives on wood, food, carpet, paper, and any organic substance available to feed on.

Conclusion

Black mold is a dangerous thing and is being researched as a bioweapon. Realizing that war can bring such a detrimental weapon and cause so much suffering can be scary. We have to be prepared for it, but for it to be used in war is a long way off. That doesn’t mean we’re safe from black mold, however.

Whether we want it to or not, it can be found in our homes and schools. The older the house, the more likely it is to have mold. Even some new houses have been designed like the older ones—air-tight and insulated, making mold easy to grow. Some people can show you exactly what to look for if you're unsure.

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