Does Bleach Kill Black Mold
The EPA does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold, except in special circumstances. In fact, recognizing the bleach as a threat, the mold will grow back even stronger. When bleach is used on porous surfaces like drywall or wood, mold membranes will move deeper into the surface to avoid the chemical.
Types Of Mold Categorized By Health Effects
How Many Types Of Mold And Fungi Are There
There are over 100,000 different types of mold. Not all types of mold are a threat, however. Some types of mold are fairly benign, and some even have medicinal uses. For example, Penicillium is used in the production of penicillin, an antibiotic commonly prescribed to cure strep throat, bronchitis and other forms of infection.
The problem with there being so many species of mold is that differentiating toxic molds from household molds is nearly impossible for an untrained professional. If you discover mold growth in your home, you should call a professional mold removal company to inspect the area and determine if your home requires treatment.
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How To Get Rid Of Business Or House Mold Symptoms: Black Mold In The House Or Your Surroundings
From a Homeowners perspective, it is important to have a specialist who is certified to inspect your home regularly a mold inspection by such a professional should also be performed prior to the purchase of a new home. Trying to buy or sell a house with black toxic mold can lead to major financial issues. Steve Levy explains how mold can develop into such a large problem : Mold spores comprise 25% of the worlds biomass. Generally mold in the outdoor environment is good because its what helps biodegrade waste. However, mold in the indoor environment can be hazardous to health if left untreated. Mold infestations may be hidden in places such as vents, wall cavities, even under floors and carpeting. With water being the key ingredient for mold to grow, the extent of any water damage should not be overlooked or ignored. Surprisingly, homes built over the last thirty to forty years may be more susceptible to mold growth due to the building materials used. Also, most newer homes dont allow for the proper air ventilation which causes moisture. Retention of moisture stimulates present dormant mold spores leading to mold growth.
Business/House Mold SymptomsKnowing Symptoms of Mold in the House or Workplace
Allergic Reactions Asthma Attacks Irritant Effects
Allergic reactions to mold are common and can be immediate or delayed. Repeated or single exposure to mold, mold spores, or mold fragments may cause non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive to mold, and repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity. Allergic responses include hay fever-like symptoms such as:
- Headache
- Allergic reactions
- Aggravated asthma symptoms
These and other symptoms may be associated with exposure to mold. But all of these symptoms may be caused by other exposures or conditions unrelated to mold growth. Therefore, it is important not to assume that, whenever any of these symptoms occurs, mold is the cause.
For more detailed information on mold and its health effects, consult:
- A health professional
- Resource List for Public and Private Organizations Dealing with Environmental Exposures
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Moisture Control Is The Key To Mold Control
Mold does not need a lot of water to grow. A little condensation, in a bathroom or around a window sill, for example, can be enough. Common sites for indoor mold growth include:
- Bathroom tile and grout
- Plant material
- Soil
In most cases, temperature is not an issue some molds grow in warm areas, while others prefer cool locations such as bread stored in a refrigerator. Often, more than one type of mold can be found growing in the same area, although conditions such as moisture, light and temperature may favor one species of mold over another.
Buildings that have been heavily damaged by flood waters should be assessed for structural integrity and remediated by experienced professionals. Please note that the guidelines covered in this course were developed for damage caused by clean water .
For more information see:
Get Quotes From Competing Contractors
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This quote will be itemized so you can choose wisely. You can compare them so youll really find the best deal offered.
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Indoor Air And Building
It has long been postulated that exposure to damp, moldy home and workplace environments has detrimental health effects. At the beginning of the 18th century, Ramazzini, considered the father of occupational medicine, described an illness of workers inhaling foul and mischievous powder’ from handling crops . More recently, Platt et al. , found that occupants of wet, moldy buildings had an increase in subjective complaints. Brunekreef et al. found a similar pattern in > 6,000 children in six states in the United States and reported home dampness was a strong predictor of respiratory and other illness in this age group. The list of putative symptoms generally consists of upper respiratory complaints, including headache, eye irritation, epistaxis, nasal and sinus congestion, cough, cold and flu symptoms, as well as generalized gastrointestinal complaints . Taskinen et al. reported an increased prevalence of asthma in moisture-affected schools, although there were no objective measurements of respiratory disease. A number of studies have reported a relationship between similar symptoms and damp housing or workplace environments, although the proposed etiologies have varied .
The indoor environment also contains a wide range of microorganisms including bacteria , mycobacteria , and molds , as well as their products, including endotoxins and mycotoxins. There may often be a much higher bacterial load than fungal load .
I Found Mold Growing In My Home How Do I Test The Mold
If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk.
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Mold Testing To Test Or Not To Test
Black mold, or Stachybotrys mold, is generally greenish-black and slightly slimy or wet, but can also look gray with a powdery texture. Other molds may look very similar. This is why it is nearly impossible to tell the type of mold by appearance, smell or location. The only way to definitively identify a mold species is under examination of a microscope. Testing can sometimes be costly, depending on the circumstances, and isnt necessary in every situation. Official testing is often sought for real estate transactions or insurance purposes. Many types of mold can cause health problems therefore, if visible mold is present in your home or building, you should arrange to have it removed and remediated, no matter what type it is.
Who Is Most At Risk For Health Problems Associated With Exposure To Mold
People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections. Individuals with chronic respiratory disease may experience difficulty breathing. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment.
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What Are The Health Effects Of Mold
Some genuss of mold that are regularly encountered by humans may not effect healthy individuals. However, continuous exposure to mold, toxic or not, can cause or worsen certain conditions. They commonly cause issues in individuals with asthma, immune compromised, young children, elderly, hay fever, or other allergies. Many common indications of exposure to mold can include sneezing, itchy eyes, headache, nose bleeds, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. Every individual is different and depending on the amount of exposure, more serious health issues can occur. It is important to advice with a medical professional if you have been exposed to mold.
How Common Is Mold In Buildings
Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus. We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes.
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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.
What Types Of Mold Are Considered Toxic Mold
Toxic mold is a term that is used to describe types of mold that are considered deadly to humans. Most people believe that the name refers to one particular species of mold however, it encompasses hundreds of species, a small fraction of which are not very harmful to the human body. Black mold is commonly used as a name for the most harmful mold species, which happen to be black in appearance. However, even molds of a different color can be toxic to the human body.
Any place that is dark and where there is an accumulation of moisture, is a potential breeding pool for mold. Mold can grown on almost any organic surface as long as moisture and oxygen are present. When large amounts of moisture build-up in buildings, or building materials mold growth will occur. It is virtually impossible to remove all indoor mold and mold spores, but it is possible to manage.
People are exposed to some amount of mold everyday. When mold is growing on a surface, spores can be released into the air where a person can then inhale them. A person who is subject to inhaling a large amount of these spores may be subject to some medical damage.
Stachbotrys
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Common Types Of Mold Found In Homes
Alternaria is often found outdoors, but it also grows in damp places indoors, like in showers or under sinks with leaky pipes. It can also be found in buildings that have been flooded or suffered other water damage. It spreads easily from one area of the home to another. Exposure to alternaria can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
Aspergillus is a type of mold frequently found indoors. It can causes allergic reactions, respiratory infections, and a condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which causes inflammation of the lungs. More about aspergillus mold.
Aureobasidium is a mold often found outdoors, but it can also be found in homes growing on wooden surfaces, wallpaper, and painted surfaces. Its also often found on damp window frames and caulking. It is pink and black in color. Many people are allergic to aureobasidium. Follow the link for more information on pink mold in the bathroom.
Botrytis grows in areas with high levels of humidity, like bathrooms with poor ventilation. It can cause allergic reactions and asthma.
Chaetomium often grows on drywall, carpets and window frames that have sustained water damage. It produces a characteristic musty odor.
Cladosporium is a type of mold often found growing inside homes. While most types of mold prefer warm climates, cladosporium can grow in cool areas, too. It often grows on fabrics, like carpets, and on wood surfaces, like cabinets and floorboards. It can cause a variety of respiratory problems.
How Do You Get The Molds Out Of Buildings Including Homes Schools And Places Of Employment
Mold growing in homes and buildings indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture. This is the first problem to address.
Remove moldy items from living areas. Once mold starts to grow in carpet, insulation, ceiling tiles, drywall, or wallboard, the only way to deal with the problem is by removal and replacement.
It is important to properly clean and dry the area as you can still have an allergic reaction to parts of the dead mold and mold contamination may recur if there is still a source of moisture.
Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly.
Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly after any flooding. Dig out mud and dirt . Use a wet vacuum to remove remaining dirt. Scrub cleanable surfaces with soapy water and a bristle brush. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces with water and dish detergent. Dry surfaces quickly and thoroughly after cleaning. If you have a fan, air conditioner or dehumidifier that wasnt affected by flooding use it to help the surfaces dry after you finish cleaning
Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water to kill mold on surfaces. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
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Tiny White Bugs: What Are They How To Get Rid Of Them
Gulshan Banu
Guide
These little white bugs, also known as bedbugs, are common household pests. They can cause allergic reactions and respiratory disorders in some people.
They are difficult to get rid of once they have infested an area, but there are steps you can take to reduce the chances of them coming into your home and getting rid of them if they do.
There are many different types of tiny white bugs that people may encounter in their everyday lives. Some of them look like lint on your clothes and skin, while some have a hard shell. Regardless of their appearance, these pesky bugs can be difficult to get rid of without the help of a professional.
Although they may look like harmless little bugs, identifying tiny white bugs can be a challenge. This article provides clear steps on how to identify these bugs, as well as how to get rid of them if necessary.
