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Is It Safe to Grow Mold in My Daughter with Asthma's Classroom?

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Question
My daughter's class wants to do a decomposition science project. It involves putting food into Ziploc bags, sealing the bags, and letting them sit and get moldy.Β She is allergic to mold and gets asthma attacks from it. If the mold is inside a Ziploc bag would that be safe, or should these bags be stored outside the classroom?
Answer

The safest thing to do is store these bags containing mold outside of the classroom. Mold spores could potentially be produced in the bags. It could be released into the classroom if the bags are opened and disrupted. These spores could trigger an asthma attack in your daughter, if they are inhaled.

Students without allergies or asthma could also be affected by mold spores. They could experience an irritant response that could cause symptoms, including:

Speak to your daughter’s teacher and other school staff so safety measures can be taken. Being proactive is recommended.

Categories
Allergy, Asthma, Mold Allergy
Answered by

John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

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