Black Colored Mold Vs Black Toxic Mold
Not all molds are toxic. Just because mold is black doesnt necessarily mean its toxic. The color and toxicity of mold all play an important role when it comes to mold prevention. This is because they have different health effects which also determine how to handle them.
But how, exactly, is there a difference between black-colored mold and black toxic mold? How can you tell which is which? We here at Markham Services have the answers!
Direct Water Away From Your House
Take note that black mold prevention isnt just an indoor task. You should also control moisture sources outdoors, especially your downspouts.
Make sure that your drains and downspouts are pointed away from your homes foundation. This way, the moisture wont get into your basement and allow black mold to form. You should also fix your landscaping to ensure that water isnt getting trapped in certain spots.
What Types Of Mold Should I Worry About
Some molds are more dangerous than others, depending on the individual sensitivity. Thus, all mold proliferation should be dealt with promptly. High levels of moisture impacting building materials can result from flooding, poor ventilation, condensation, melting ice dams, and leaky plumbing. This moisture, combined with environmental conditions, can contribute to mold growth. Since most mold isnt identifiable by eyesight alone, dont try to diagnose your mold. Not only does touching or scraping mold for closer inspection cause it to become airborne, but its also highly unlikely you can tell what it is without special training and a microscope.
A mold of any type is an eyesore, can smell, and is a potential lawsuit waiting to happen. Addressing it as soon as you catch it is best. Since mold is often not visible and can develop in places we cant see , assume that a small mold sighting may not be all there is to the story. Catching a tiny mold issue now can prevent huge issues down the road.
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Similarities Between Mold And Black Mold
- Both mold and black mold are filamentous fungi.
- Both mold and black mold grow on the damp surfaces of household organic matter.
- Both mold and black mold penetrate the organic matter on which they grow.
- Both mold and black mold may destroy organic surfaces on which they grow.
- Both mold and black mold may produce musty odor and specific colors.
- Both mold and black mold may produce health problems.
If Left Alone Black Mold Can Cause Some Negative Health Effects
Black mold in your home can cause you and your family some discomfort. While there is a lot of conflicting information as to if black mold can cause cancer, it can definitely lead to more slowly progressing symptoms. Black mold in your home can lead to the production of Mycotoxins which are what can off allergic reactions to mold in some people. Learn more about Mycotoxins and other health risks of black mold
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How To Identify Toxic Black Mold
The most dangerous type of mold found indoors is Stachybotrys chartarum, often called black mold. Black mold is toxic to humans and pets. Luckily, it is less common than the other three mold types in the U.S. It is difficult to identify however, because other mold types can grow black in color as well. Because it is hard to tell the difference between black mold and other types, the Center for Disease Control recommends removing all mold immediately.
Stachybotrys chartarum is greenish-black in color and can emit a musty or rotten smell. It is most often found growing near water damage inside a home, including on damp building materials. A good example of where you might find this type of toxic mold is a home that has been empty for months with water damage and no air circulation, or a basement with a leaky pipe that hasnt been fixed or looked at in months.
Green Mold: The Most Common
Seeing that a mold is green doesnt actually say much. There are thousands of species of mold alone that are green. Green mold is the most common form of mold and can be found on nearly any surface. It grows indoors, outdoors, on wood, in walls and practically anywhere else you can think of. Fortunately, green mold does not pose significant health or property risks like some of its colored counterparts.
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Is Black Mold The Worst
Many people believe something called âblack mold,â or âtoxic black mold,â is a specific type of noxious mold that can severely sicken or even kill you because it releases noxious mycotoxins or mold poisons. But thatâs not totally accurate. First, molds of all colors can cause illness. And second, there are many types of black-colored molds. The one most people have in mind when they refer to black mold, or toxic black mold, is Stachybotrys chartarum , a greenish-black mold.
Research published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry suggests S. chartarum may be linked to serious health problems such as mycotoxicosis, or mold poisoning. Other possible ill effects include body aches, headaches, memory loss, mood swings and nosebleeds. But the science isnât definitive. A 2017 report published in Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology states, âThere is no scientific evidence that exposure to visible black mold in apartments and buildings can lead to the vague and subjective symptoms of memory loss, inability to focus, fatigue, and headaches that were reported by people who erroneously believed that they were suffering from âmycotoxicosis.â Similarly, a causal relationship between cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage and exposure to âblack moldâ has never been proven. Finally, there is no evidence of a link between autoimmune disease and mold exposure.â
Understanding Types Of Mold
Mold is a broad term that describes a range of micro-organisms that grow in the presence of a food source and usually require sufficient moisture. More specifically, mold is a type of fungi, and growths are sometimes generically called mildew. Mold usually falls into one of three broad categories.
Allergenic molds are not toxic in and of themselves, but can trigger allergic reactions such as asthma.
Pathogenic molds can trigger illnesses in people already weakened by other causes.
Toxigenic families of molds are the most dangerous because they create their own toxins that can lead to health problems that are sometimes lethal.
Fortunately, regardless of the type of mold youve got, it can be killed with a registered fungicide.
Read on to learn more about the different types of molds and how to recognize them.
Type of Mold: Allergenic.
Where Its Found: Bathrooms and damp windows.
Got moldy stuff growing in your bathroom or shower? Perhaps mold along the bottom of windows where condensation develops during cold weather? Its probably a mold called Alternaria. This is the most common type of allergenic mold.
From the genus ascomycete, this organism thrives around the globe outdoors in natural ecosystems. But Alternaria can cause problems when it ventures indoors. It causes allergic reactions in people, and can also trigger hypersensitive conditions such as hay fever and asthma. This organism can infect people whose immune systems are impeded.
Type of Mold: Allergenic.
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What Happens When You Breathe In Mold
Tiny mold spores can be found floating in the air looking for warm and moist areas to colonize. These spores dont usually stay in your body for long if they are inhaled. Although they can stick to your eyes, nose, throat, and mouth, they are usually eliminated by your immune system. After prolonged mold exposure, you might experience symptoms such as a dry cough, runny nose, or watery eyes. These are all ways your body uses for expelling foreign irritants.
However, in rare cases mold spores might be able to enter your lungs via the windpipe or trachea. People with compromised lungs and those who have recently had their lungs removed are at greatest risk. This is because there is more room in their lungs for mold growth. Mold growth in the lungs is usually treated with oral medications. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary in severe cases. However, this is not always required.
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Diy Mold Cleaning Methods
If allergenic molds are caught early, you can easily remove them with household disinfectants. When using any of these products, make sure there is adequate ventilation in the area and wear protective gear like gloves, eye protection, and old clothes that can be washed in hot water to kill stray spores.
- Chlorine bleach: Sodium hypochlorite or regular household bleach works best to destroy mold and remove any discoloration. It is quite harsh and should be diluted before using.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Less harsh than chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide will kill mold and lighten stains. While it does have a bleaching effect, it works more slowly than chlorine bleach but has no toxic fumes or residue.
- Distilled white vinegar: Vinegar is acidic and slowly breaks down the structure of mold and kills it. Vinegar is non-toxic but mold stains may remain and additional scrubbing with a household cleaner may be needed.
- Baking soda and borax: Sodium bicarbonate and borax each have a high pH that inhibits the growth and survival of mold. Both products are inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy to mix with water. Borax is more effective than baking soda but not as effective as a stronger cleaning product.
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How Do You Prevent Mold
When it comes to mold, prevention is the best defense you can have. If you see it growing, acting quickly is key. Otherwise, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will only become.
If the problem is small enough, you may be able to remove the toxic black mold by yourself. Some safe yet effective products to kill mold include hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil, vinegar, and baking soda. If using vinegar, simply put it in a spray bottle.
Remember, you should always wear a mask and cover exposed parts of your body as a precautionary measure.
However, if the problem is big enough or you have existing health issues, its best to hire professional help.
Once the mold is eradicated, you have a responsibility to keep it mold-free:
How Long Does It Take For Black Mold To Grow
The development and growth of black mold within a home can happen seemingly overnight, as homeowners will usually not have the first inclination of this molds growth until they see either physical mold growth on the surfaces of their home or if they begin to experience adverse health symptoms that are isolated only when present inside their home environment. Black mold, like any other species of mold, thrives in warm conditions and will feed off of materials that are in high in cellulose and low in nitrogen which leaves many building materials in a home a great food source for this mold. Typically, black mold will grow in a space in your environment that is out of sight, and hard to detect which will allow the mold to thrive and aggressively spread throughout the environment. Although most molds have the keen ability to grow quickly with a home, black mold is somewhat different, as the mold need a suitable material to be very wet for at least a week before it can begin its growth phase.
According to Moldpedia, while most mold takes only about one or two days to colonize and grow in the environment, toxic black mold will usually need between eight to twelve days to begin its colonizing in the indoor space of a home.
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Create A Bleach Mixture
If the black mold growth in your home is small enough for you to treat alone, a simple mixture of bleach and water can help. Add one cup of bleach to one gallon of water and apply it to the moldy spots. You can also find commercial black mold removal products.
Apply the cleaner to the mold spot and scrub away the growth. Be sure to dry the area thoroughly when youre done.
Do NOT mix bleach with ammonia. This combination can create toxic fumes that are far more dangerous than any mold youre trying to clean.
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How To Treat Black Mold Poisoning
Black mold, scientifically referred to as Stachybotrys atra or Stachybotrys chartarum, is typically black or dark green and often linked to serious health problems.
In fact, black mold exposure can lead to poisoning, or stachybotryotoxicosis a condition thats dangerous, particularly for young children and the elderly.
Even though black mold poisoning typically affects horses, cows, and pigs, humans can become infected if they inhale or ingest the spores.
Symptoms of stachybotryotoxicosis include skin rashes , throat and sinus irritation, burning eyes, and a decrease in the production of white blood cells.
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Contact Professional Mold Remediation Technicians
Fresh Air Technologies is proud to have provided professional mold remediation services for over 20 years to the residents and business owners of the Charlotte, NC area.
If you are seeing a concerning growth of one or more types of mold, please reach out to our team today. Our knowledgeable technicians can help you identify your mold colony, determine whether the mold is toxic to your health, and perform a mold remediation service. To get started, please reach out to us at today.
Could Your Symptoms Be From A General Mold Allergy
Regardless of the species of mold in question, symptoms of a mold allergy can appear very similar, especially when looking at many individuals. So if you see black-colored mold and experience allergic symptoms, it could be Stachybotrys, or it could be another species of mold. That said, the same person can react differently to different molds. For example, one person may have severe dry eyes in response to a Cladosporium exposure, while Aspergillus exposure may cause wheezing and asthma-like symptoms.
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Types Of Harmful Mold That May Be Lurking In Your Home
While mold is found virtually everywhere you go and is not always harmful, there are certain types of mold or fungi that can pose a serious health risk to you and your family if they are present in your home. Here are a few of the most common species of toxic mold that can grow inside homes wherever there are wet surfaces or water damage, and a few tips for what to do if you think there might be harmful mold in your home.
Symptoms Of Black Mold Exposure In Adults: What You Need To Know
Molds are one of the most common problems among households. But of the thousands of mold types, theres one thats been plaguing homes for years: black molds. Its dark color is often attributed to its menacing health effects. In this post, I will discuss the symptoms of black mold exposure in adults and what you can do if your family got in contact with this allergen.
Remember that any type of mold can be dangerous to a persons health. This is why you should act fast the moment you discover the presence of molds in your home.
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Types Of Mold Categorized By Health Effects
What Are The Different Types Of Black Mold
Mold can cause serious health problems in your home. Mold can grow in many ways, and some of them can be stubborn and difficult to eradicate. One group is more common than the others: toxic mold. There are many myths about toxic mold. What is it? How can it affect you? While some may believe all molds can be toxic, others might not know the difference. There are many types of mold, and there are different ways to identify them. Even the most dangerous molds dont pose a threat to healthy people. However, molds can cause discomfort for those who are exposed long enough. This is why its so important to get rid of an infestation in your home as soon as you notice it.
Where do you begin? After you have spotted mold in your home, the next question you should ask is how do you determine if it is toxic and what kind of mold it is. You must then decide what you should do. This quick guide will help you identify and manage your mold outbreak. It doesnt matter what type of mold it might be, you should not hesitate to contact a professional for assistance. You can contact your us at to arrange a free visual inspection if you are determined to remove the mold.
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