Sunday, March 10, 2024

Is Mold Really That Bad

Foods You Should Discard

Is Mold Really Bad For Your Health..? Let’s Ask the Expert…

If you find mold on these items, discard them :

  • Soft fruits and vegetables: Such as strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes.
  • Soft cheese: Like cottage and cream cheese, as well as shredded, crumbled and sliced cheese. This also includes cheese that is made with mold but has been invaded by another mold that was not part of the manufacturing process.
  • Bread and baked goods: Mold can easily grow below the surface.
  • Cooked food: Includes casseroles, meat, pasta and grains.
  • Jam and jellies: If these products are moldy, they may contain mycotoxins.
  • Peanut butter, legumes and nuts: Products processed without preservatives are at a higher risk of mold growth.
  • Deli meats, bacon, hot dogs
  • Yogurt and sour cream

Summary:Soft food with a high moisture content is generally more likely to have mold. You can cut mold off of hard or firm food.

Foods You Can Salvage

These food items can be used if the mold is cut off :

  • Firm fruits and vegetables: Such as apples, bell peppers and carrots
  • Hard cheese: Both where mold is not part of the processing, like Parmesan, and where mold is part of the processing, like Gorgonzola
  • Hard salami and dry-cured country hams

When removing mold from food, cut at least 1 inch around and below the mold. Also, be careful not to touch the mold with the knife.

Mould Myth #: Only Black Moulds Are Bad Other Types Shouldnt Be Worried About

Fact: A lot of people arent even aware that mold can be white, or orange, or blue, for instance. The colour of a mold generally has to do with the spores it produces, and has no bearing on whether it is dangerous or not. There are some white moulds that grow on walls and other surfaces that can be just as bad as some harmful black moulds.

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What Can I Do With Overripe Bananas

Overripe bananas can be very sweet, which makes them;perfect for eating and cooking. If you are eating an overripe banana alone, simply cut off any soft spots. However, soft bananas that have not started to rot or go bad are perfect additions to smoothies and can be blended into naturally sweet ice cream. Of course, the most popular use of overripe bananas is homemade banana bread which depends on soft bananas for texture and sweet flavor.

What To Do With Bananas That Have Gone Bad

How to Tell: Good Mold or Bad Mold?

A banana that has started to rot should not be eaten and should be thrown away immediately. However, take special care with a banana that has mold. Spores from mold can quickly spread through the air and cause health problems if inhaled. If a banana has mold, wrap it in a paper or plastic bag and place it carefully in the trash bin. Remove the trash from your home as soon as possible and ensure that children and pets do not have access to it.

Watch this video to learn the trick of keeping your bananas fresh for longer:

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Toxic Mold Syndrome: It Was Like I Lost My Personality

Kimberlyn, a 46-year-old married mother living in Arizona is not your average patient. She is highly detailed, analytical, logical, and carries with her a masters degree in pattern analysis. When Kimberlyn got sick, she applied as much as she could from her work life to try to uncover what was adversely affecting her. Even so, coming to the right diagnoses took a lot of work and required outside help.

Black Mold: What’s The Big Deal

Black mold, the toxic killer lurking inside your home. Not so much. The terms black mold or toxic mold have been exaggerated in the media. It has installed feelings of fear and panic in homeowners around the country. At Buffalo, we spend the time to hear from the experts in the field. And our job is to share that information with you, dispel the myths, and share the facts about mold.

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How To Tell If Mold Is Toxic

Mold is a nasty problem to deal with for any home or business-owner. In the wake of a disaster such as a storm, its possible for mold to start growing in as quickly as 1-2 days. Whats even more alarming is when that mold turns out to be toxic, posing a serious risk to you and anyone else on your property.

To clarify, its not that the mold you are dealing with in and of itself is toxic. Its that certain strains of mold, like the notorious Stachybotrys chartarummore commonly known as black moldproduce mycotoxins. Its these mycotoxins which may cause a burning sensation in the throat and lungs, chest pain, persistent coughing, fever, rashes, and migraines. Prolonged exposure to Stachybotrys may lead to serious health issues, including breathing problems, fatigue, sinusitis and other pain in the sinus cavities, and even depression.

How to tell if you may be dealing with toxic mold in your home:

  • Watch out for a nasty smell: The most common sign that you arent dealing with any ordinary mold is a musty odor, sort of like rotting dirt of rotting leaves. Mold thrives in dark, damp, humid environments, so follow your nose to cramped spaces in your home if you detect an unusual smell.
  • You start experiencing health problems: If you experience respiratory issues or any of the other symptoms mentioned above, call someone to deal with your mold as soon as possible. Rashes, coughing, and feelings of fatigue are only likely to worsen the longer you wait.
  • Who Is At Risk For Mold Toxicity

    Not All Mold Is Bad: About Penicillium

    While anyone can become ill from exposure to mold and its mycotoxins, some are more susceptible than others.

    People who already have allergies or asthma can be more severely affected by mold toxicity than those who do not have allergies.

    Also, people who are already ill, have immune suppression, or who have respiratory illnesses are more likely to have noticeable and intense symptoms resulting from mold exposure.

    Symptoms of mold toxicity are relatively persistent and should not be ignored.

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    Is Shower Mold Toxic

    Due to the way bathrooms and showers are constructed today, the black mold you see in your shower is less likely to be the really hazardous type of mold. This is because your shower areas and surfaces dont have cellulose which is required for most of the really hazardous types of mold to grow.

    That isnot to say that one of the more toxic molds cant ever grow in your shower. Theycan. If you have a bigger issue in your bathroom or home and THOSE spores haveinfiltrated your shower then your shower can become a breeding ground for somereally bad mold. But regular ol mold in the shower usually more allergenicthan anything.

    Symptoms Of Black Mold

    What Does Black Mold Look Like?

    Stachybotrys is commonly known as black mold because its black in color.; We see black mold most often when there is flooding or water damage, such as attics, basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.What does black mold look like?; Check out these photos of black mold in basements that experienced flooding:

    Is black mold dangerous?

    The answer to the above question is It can be, but the vast majority of black mold situations we see are nothing to panic about.If you search black mold youll be sure to find plenty of websites and articles that tout the dangers of it.; Weve seen quite the long, sensational list everything from seizures to cancer to death.; But the truth is that it most situations are nothing to panic about because:It has never been scientifically proven that black mold is any more harmful than other types and colors of mold.Only a small percentage of people are especially sensitive to mold .Most horror stories come from people with severe, prolonged exposure to mold while most situations are small areas of mold growth that get cleaned up rather quickly.So why does black mold get so much hype? Well, a lot of it has to do with a general lack of information about a strange substance that looks especially ugly and threatening.

    What are mycotoxins?Can black mold make you sick, cause cancer, or kill you?

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    Rental Properties With Mould Issues

    When a rental property has mould, the owner should fix any mould caused by faults in gutters or other fixtures, but the tenant should ensure that extractor fans are used when available and the home is aired regularly where possible.;

    Sometimes, the cause of the mould growth may be due to a building fault that may not be easily rectified.

    If as a tenant, you have taken measures to make sure the building is properly ventilated and mould is still growing, you should raise the issue with the owner.;

    Information on mould in rental properties is available on Consumer Affairs Victorias website.

    Tenants seeking further advice on their rights can also contact the Tenants Union of Victoria on .

    Is Black Mold Toxic

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    Black mold is generally not toxic. In fact, theres not much difference between black mold and regular mold. The color of the mold will tell you nothing about it since there are over 100,000 species of mold. Its impossible to tell what kind of mold you have just because its black it has to be tested.

    Thats not to say that there arent any toxic molds. Some molds are toxic, but their color has nothing to do with it. For example, some strains of mold can produce respiratory and neurological symptoms.

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    How Can I Ripen A Banana Quickly

    Green bananas not yet ripe will ripen for two to three days while resting on the counter. But, there are a few tricks you can use to encourage a banana to ripen more quickly. Never separate under-ripe bananas from the bunch since the bananas attached will ripen more rapidly. You can also green bananas in a brown paper bag and roll the top closed. If you need to ripen a banana to be used in baked goods, put the unpeeled banana in the oven for 15 minutes at 300 degrees.

    What Symptoms Would I Experience If Mold Is An Issue For Me

    If youre experiencing allergy symptoms in your home, similar to a dust or pollen allergylike itchy, watery eyes, coughing, a stuffy, runny nose, or even a rash or eczemamold might be playing a role, Dr. Parikh says. The same goes for more severe asthma symptoms than usual, like frequent asthma attacks, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

    Your symptoms would be different if you have a mold-related infection; youll likely have a fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit and you may experience low blood pressure, dizziness, and even shortness of breath. But, Mold infections are actually pretty rare unless you have a very weak immune system, says Dr. Parikh. If youre immune-compromised, youll need to take any infection more seriously anyway, she adds.

    Treatment for mold-related allergies and infection varies from person to person. If you think there might be mold in your house, and you develop allergy or asthma symptoms, its best to visit an allergist or pulmonologist to have testing done. An allergist might prescribe eye drops, nasal spray, or antihistamines, depending on your case .

    Allergy shots have also proven to be effective in treating mold allergies by halting the immune systems reactions in some cases, studies show. For more severe respiratory symptoms related to asthma, a doctor might prescribe you an inhaler, or additional medications such as steroids.

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    Navigating All Of The Confusing And Concerning Information About Black Mold Is Hard But Were Here To Tell You The Truth

    Many of us have heard of the dangers of toxic black mold and may worry about black mold poisoning, but the truth is that black mold is a much more manageable problem than you might expect.;

    Few topics get us more upset than seeing misinformation publicized about toxic black mold, and mold in general, by unscrupulous companies and zealous media articles that seem more interested in sensationalism than fact-based reporting.;

    When you understand what youre dealing with, you can make informed choices to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy. Were here to cut through the mess and help you understand what having black mold in your home may mean, and give you some tips on how to fix the problem yourself and save big money in the process.

    Who Is At Risk

    Emergency – Really Bad Mold In Our New House!

    Its commonly assumed that mould causes the health problems described above, though the evidence for this is generally weaker than for dampness itself. This may be related to the fact that scientists are still struggling to accurately measure indoor mould exposures.

    The WHO estimates that in cold climates, 15% of dwellings have signs of dampness and 5% have signs of mould problems. In warm climates, the estimates are 20% for dampness and 25% for mould.

    Since dampness is more likely to occur in houses that are overcrowded and lack appropriate heating, ventilation and insulation, the prevalence of damp indoor problems in low-income communities and rental accommodation can be substantially higher.

    Climate change and its effects on the weather are likely to further increase the proportion of buildings with damp problems.

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    What To Do If You Find Mold In Your Food

    In general, if you find mold in soft food, you should discard it.

    Soft food has a high moisture content, so mold can easily grow below its surface, which can be hard to detect. Bacteria can also grow along with it.

    It is easier to get rid of mold on hard foods, such as hard cheese. Simply cut the moldy portion off. Generally, hard or dense food is not easily penetrated by mold.

    However, if the food is completely covered with mold you should throw it away. Also, if you find mold, do not sniff it, as this may cause respiratory troubles.

    How Much Mold Exposure Is Harmful

    Molds are a type of fungi, which can flourish both indoors and outside. There are millions of mold species.

    Mold is important for the planets ecosystem, because it helps break down waste products and organic matter, such as leaves, dead trees, and garbage.

    Some people get sick from exposure to mold. Others have no symptoms and dont experience ill effects of any kind.

    In this article, well talk about the potential dangers of mold exposure, identify whos most vulnerable, and provide solutions for keeping your environment mold-proof.

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    Testing For Mould In Your Home

    Where mould is visible, it is generally not considered necessary to test for it in the home. However, not all mould is visible, as contamination may be in cavities or the ceiling. Generally, if you can see or smell mould, you need to clean up and remove the mould immediately, as mould can damage surfaces it grows on.

    If you suspect mould contamination but cannot find the source of the problem, or if you have already taken measures to prevent mould from growing and you are still having problems, you could employ an occupational hygienist or environmental health and safety professional. For a fee, these professionals can provide specialist mould testing and consultancy services.

    Can I Still Eat That

    Mold

    Another common question concerning mold is whether or not you can salvage fuzzy food. Can you carve the white spot out of the jelly jar? Or opt for a middle piece in a bag of moldy bread? In most cases, the answer is no.

    If you see mold on food, chances are, theres more you cant see, Dr. Coronado says. Mold has a network of microscopic roots. Tough vegetables or hard cheeses may be an exception, but its not worth the risk. If you see mold anywhere on your food, your best bet is to throw it out.

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    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.

    Toxic Mold: The Complete Picture

    The story about toxic mold whether black, white, or orange is more complex than most people know. First, although all mold growth is capable of producing mycotoxins , none produce mycotoxins all the time. Not even Stachybotrys.

    • Mycotoxins are produced only when two conditions occur at the same time: 1. When mold is eating and producing secondary metabolites; and, 2. In the presence of competing bacteria or mold. If both conditions are not present then mycotoxins will not be produced.
    • Second, mycotoxins are not some mysterious substance with properties like radiation that can penetrate through walls. They dont stick to contents creating cross-contamination days or weeks later. They also cant be killed, because they arent alive.
    • Third, mycotoxins are not even the most prevalent component of mold that can cause reactions. ;Mold growth can also generate gas which are more common than the particles containing the mycotoxins, so the focus on mycotoxins is limiting.

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