Moldy Sinks

Caring for individuals with environmental toxicities always requires an investigation into the source of the person’s particular toxin. Many with mold toxicity have asked whether growth in their plumbing, particularly their sink drains, could be making them sick, even if remediators are usually dubious of the possibility. This study takes a step forward in shining a light down your drains.

What are molds?

Molds are a type of fungi. They growth in countless places but, like other organisms, always require some measure of moisture and some source of food. They generally serve to break down organic material in the recycling system of our ecosystem. We can thank some of them for antibiotics we use to fight bacterial infections. Some are surrounding you right now as you read this and cause no harm at all. Some, however, make chemicals which affect the health of genetically susceptible individuals and can trigger a variety of unusual symptoms. Until the source of this toxin is found, or the person moves away, the illness usually persists.

What happens when you find mold?

When mold is suspected in a home, a remediator is usually called out for an inspection. Sometimes, the source is easily identified and the mold is removed, allowing the ill person to recover with other medical therapies. Sometimes, no mold can be found, or the person continues to be ill for months after the discovered mold is removed. After reinspecting the home and giving time for the accumulated toxins to be detoxed from the body, patients may still ask if they are missing something. Besides looking in cars and workplaces for mold exposure sources, they may peer down their drains, asking “What is down this dark, dark hole?”

Generally, the drain is not considered a major source of most mold or the toxins which impact on human health. The flow of water and the presence of soaps and other chemicals will dissuade many microbes from growing. However, this study does indicate that a large number of fungi can live in such an environment. These include various Fusarium species, which as a genus include several mycotoxin producers.

Areas for more research to understand better

This study did not evaluate whether the Fusarium found were able to produce toxins and whether they release toxins from the drain. Therefore, it does not definitively answer the question for our patients, but it does highlight the need for further research. If this turns out to be a source of Fusarium toxins which are often found in grain-based foods, our grain free patients could have an explanation for their fusarium toxin exposures.

Living a healthier, more abundant life may require some drain maintenance. Hopefully, we can get further answers soon.

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References:

Zoe Withey, Alisha Awan, Naol Duguma, Elsie Fell, Naomi J. Martinez, Ed Neary, Tim Goodall, Hyun S. Gweon. Mycobial community assemblages in sink drains across a university campus. Environmental DNA, 2022; DOI: 10.1002/edn3.375

Thanks to Science Daily:

University of Reading. “Fungi in sink drains act as ‘reservoirs for mold’.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 December 2022. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221201123034.htm>. Accessed 12/28/22.

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Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.