What Conditions Lead To Basketball Mold Syndrome
BBMS occurs most often where health concerns are present and people have become worried about mold contamination, or where structural concerns are present and people have become worried about cracks, stains, or possible indications of building damage.
Basketball print mold: A client was certain that a large collection of round black speckled marks on his garage ceiling were toxic mold, that the marks were growing in size, and that they had not been there when he purchased the home a few years before.
During a mold investigation we had seen and rapidly discounted the significance of these marks, preferring to follow water leaks and moisture to an actual building problem.
To an experienced eye it was immediately obvious that the marks had been made by a basketball which someone had bounced against walls and ceilings.
It is important to realize that a stain or mark may have been in place but un-noticed for a long time on a building surface.
In its form of black on white on the garage ceiling the stain pattern was a bit hard to see. We used this trick of reversing black and white in the lab computer, making the basketball characteristic surface pattern of the ceiling marks which we sampled quite obvious.
We explain why this confusion about building clues and mold risk happens in a separate page: please
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White Mold On Furniture
In moist conditions, white mold can grow on wood, upholstered, and leather furniture. Over time, the mold fungus can lower the furnitures value and make it give off an awful, musty smell. However, you should detect the factors stimulating this growth so you can protect your family against dangerous allergens.
First, it could be due to the furniture being enclosed, damp storage for a long time before taking it out. But if a piece of furniture suddenly starts to grow white mold, examine the surrounding areas that may likely introduce moisture to the furniture.
When floorboards, windows, and ceilings have cracks and leaks, they can turn furniture humid. These thus encourage white mold to start growing on the piece of furniture.
Can Black Mold Spores Travel In The Air
Yes. Mold spores are airborne and can attach themselves to peoples skin, clothing, shoes, shopping bags, furniture, carpets, and even pets. Once spores enter your home, they can settle onto any surface and start to multiply. They can also enter your house through open doorways, open windows, and HVAC systems.
Mold spores are microscopic and are virtually found everywhere. They are naturally found in the air we breathe, both indoors and outdoors. Since spores are tiny and lightweight, they become airborne easily, every time we vacuum or walk on the carpets or even sit on our couch.
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White Mold On Carpets
As most of us know, wet carpets are very difficult to dry, especially when were talking not just about a small spill, but a large leak or flood. This is when bacteria and mold have the opportunity to thrive. It is important to avoid carpeting your home below ground level or in rooms that are prone to spills, high humidity, and flooding . Luckily, moldy carpets are fairly easy to recognize as they will give off a strong musty odor and cause allergic reactions. Try to clean and dry wet carpets promptly in order to avoid mold spreading to the subfloor. If this happens, you will likely have to remove and replace your entire flooring system.
What Is A Mold Allergy
If you have an allergy that occurs over several seasons, you may be allergic to the spores of molds or other fungi. Molds live everywhere. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air.
Mold and mildew are fungi. They are different from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The seeds, called spores, travel through the air. Some spores spread in dry, windy weather. Others spread with the fog or dew when humidity is high.
Inhaling the spores causes allergic reactions in some people. Allergic symptoms from fungus spores are most common from July to early fall. But fungi grow in many places, both indoors and outside, so allergic reactions can occur year round.
Although there are many types of molds, only a few dozen cause allergic reactions. Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollens, molds do not die with the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become inactive during the winter. In the spring they grow on plants killed by the cold. Indoors, fungi grow in damp areas. They can often be found in the bathroom, kitchen or basement.
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What Is Mycotoxin Poisoning
The most serious problems caused by mold are caused by small molecules call mycotoxins, which are produced by mold when they feel threatened. Think of this like the ink an octopus produces or when a skunk sprays someone. For some mycotoxins, low levels are not problematic for most individuals.
These mycotoxins are found in low amounts in food. However, other mycotoxins such as the Trichothecenes are toxic in much smaller quantities, but only in water-damaged buildings, and they are much more toxic. Trichothecenes are produced by Stachybotrys, otherwise known as black mold.
There are multiple different health effects that are caused by mycotoxins, and these symptoms are influenced by genetics, sex, age of the patient. The number of mycotoxins patients absorbed and the type of mycotoxin also play a role in symptoms . However, common signs are chronic fatigue, ADHD, rashes, COPD, and depression. Less common symptoms include dementia, Parkinsons, and cancer. Mycotoxins also weaken the immune system, which leads to other secondary infections to occur .
Does This Sound Familiar
While allergic reactions to substances like peanuts and bee stings are unmistakable, a mold allergy certainly sounds a lot like just being sick. Mold allergies are not just uncomfortable but deceptive as well. Diagnosing a mold allergy can be challenging because its so easy to mistake it for a cold, the flu, or another upper respiratory infection. What sets a mold allergy apart?
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You Visibly See Mold Spores
Of course one of the most obvious ways to determine that you have mold in your house is if you can see it. The downside? If you see a ton of visible mold, it can be an indicator that you have a big problem on your hands.
“Once you see it, you’ve got a big mold problem because what you’re seeing is literally just the tip of the iceberg,” Kelly Hayes-Raitt, a housesitter and the former director of the HomeSafe Campaign in California, told INSIDER.
Simply scrubbing the visible mold with soap and a sponge won’t actually get rid of the mold. So if you see visible mold, you need to reach out to a mold remediation company or another expert to help you get things under control, including any leaks that may have caused the issue in the first place.
What Does Mold Taste Like
Mold is white, green, blue-green in color.
It grows on wet foods or drinks and leaves a surface area that has been invaded with an unpleasant aroma.
The most common foods to be contaminated with mold include breads, fruit, cheese, and vegetables.
The simplest description of what does mold taste like is that it tastes and smells bad.
The flavor can range from sour to earthy flavors, depending on which type is present in the food or drink being consumed.
Mold often has an earthy, musty taste accompanied by a natural odor.
Some find them off-putting, while others are okay with this flavor.
Mold on food is often thought to be a sign of spoilage, but some forms are used during the fermentation process.
In addition to being the source of taste for certain foods , mold can also change the taste of less exclusive dishes.
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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:
Question: White Flaky Crusty Substance In My Basement
2016/08/09 Lee said:
There is a white, flaky, crusty substance in my basement on the floor joists around the outside perimeter in the laundry and utility room. The pattern looks like mold, but the color is wrong. I posted photos on my Google Drive for public viewing. Short URL is … .
I’ve had two home inspectors through the house in three years.
One for my pre-inspection before I bought the house, and one before putting the house on the market to sell. Neither one called it out.
But I’m over 90 days on the market with no offers, below market price in a good neighborhood, and wondering if this stuff may be scaring people away that are too polite to mention it.
Your feedback is welcomed.
Reply: no, white paint flakes would not usually be a sale deterrent
Lee:
The substance on the floor framing in your photos is not mold, it is a flaking-off white spray coating, I suspect either a paint or lyme coating.
Your first photo shows the white spraypattern taht coated the floor joists, rim joist, wall top framing, and contined across a vertical galvanized metal pipe.
It would be instructive to make a good guess at why the spray was applied. If there were insect damage, particularly powder-post beetles or old house borers a coating is sometimes used to make more apparent whether or not the insects are active.
See PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION for more about peeling paint on building surfaces.
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Can You Eat Mold If You Cook It
Mold can be distressing to see and cannot always be cooked away.
It is important that you learn how to identify it and safely remove it without compromising your health or the health of your beloved pets.
Its true that certain types of mold will make food toxic or inedible, so the first step is to identify what kind of mold you may have.
There are three types of mold:
- Allergenic Mold This type causes allergic reactions and should be treated as hazardous because it can trigger asthma attacks in sensitive individuals or those with allergies.
- Toxic Mold If toxic molds such as Stachybotrys are present, they will grow on foods that have been left out for too long at room temperature.
- Non-Toxic/Non-Allergenic Molds These dont pose any health risks, but certain molds like Penicillium or Aspergillus produce an enzyme called penicillinase which can destroy the antibiotic penicillin.
The type of mold you have will affect how it should be disposed of and what food items may need to be discarded or salvaged.
Keep reading for more information on identifying different types of molds, their potential health risks, and ways to prevent them from growing in the future.
Watery Or Irritated Eyes
When allergens are present, the body releases histamines as part of its immune response. This histamine release is what causes the eyes to water excessively when exposed to toxins from mold.
This reaction from histamine may be the bodys way of flushing out allergens and toxins. It can serve as a warning to you that your environment may contain dangerous black mold.
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Signs Of Black Mold And How To Get Rid Of It
Do you know if theres mold in your home? Mold grows in areas that are dark and damp, like bathrooms or around heating and cooling units that produce condensation.
The thought of any type of mold growing in your home might have you reaching for the nearest scrub brush and cleaning agent. Before you start scrubbing, be sure to evaluate what type of mold youre facing. While you dont want any mold in your house, black mold may pose more health risks than other types.
Learn more about black mold so you can identify it and prevent it from contaminating your home.
Mold Around The House
While antihistamines can address many of the symptoms of a mold allergy, they are often not a sufficient standalone response to mold. Antihistamines can have sedating effects on users and adversely interact with other prescription and over-the-counter medications, so it is best not to rely on them entirely. Instead, after identifying signs and symptoms of a mold allergy, work to reduce the presence of mold in your home. This process often involves optimizing air filtration systems, cleaning bathrooms regularly, and making basement living spaces as hypoallergenic as possible by limiting porous surfaces, such as carpeting, where moisture and attendant mold can build up. While it is impossible to eliminate mold exposure, especially outdoors, you can significantly mitigate mold exposure within the home.
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How Fast Does Black Mold Spread
Mold begins to grow as soon as its spores land on a damp, fibre-rich material and it can spread around the house within 24 to 48 hours. It colonizes in one to twelve days and grows at one square inch per day. In less than a week, it can cover surface areas of several square feet.
Unfortunately in most cases, mold is widespread and already a big problem before a problem is even suspected by the homeowners.
How Long Does It Take To Get Mold Poisoning Out Of Your System
Generally, it takes about 2 months for most people to get rid of mold poisoning, but this can vary depending on the type of mold involved and how much exposure a person gets. If you think you may have been exposed to mold or are suffering from symptoms that might indicate that youre suffering from mold poisoning, then its important to speak with your doctor or visit a mold poisoning clinic.
However, if you know that youve been exposed to black mold , then you must get out of the contaminated environment immediately and seek medical attention right away.
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Review This List & These Photographs Of Stains Or Stuff In Buildings That Are Not Mold Or Are Harmless Cosmetic Indoor Mold
at MOLD CONTAMINATION IN BUILDINGS shows adhesive, not mold.
In the articles listed here we describe sometimes-scary-looking stuff on surfaces: but stuff that is not mold, does not require mold testing, but which may still help diagnose building conditions and history. We discuss, describe, and provide photographs of some common items that are sometimes mistaken for mold in buildings.
- BASKETBALL MOLD SYNDROME – BBMS why dirt and stains may be mistaken for toxic harmful mold
- BLACK MOLD, COSMETIC On building surfaces that is harmless cosmetic material, not “toxic black mold” indoors
- includes EFFLORESENCE or mineral salts found on damp or leaky masonry surfaces
- WOOD SAP – clear or crystalline tan or yellow droplets found on wood framing, often in attics
Q: Can Mold On Toothbrush Make You Sick
A: Yes, mold on toothbrushes can cause health issues such as asthma, sinusitis, and allergies. The best way to prevent mold from growing on your toothbrush is to keep it clean and dry. If you do not want to throw away your toothbrush, then you should soak it in hot water for 10 minutes. After soaking, rinse it thoroughly with soap and water.
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Harmless Indoor Particles Stains Deposits That Are Not Mold
Here on this page are examples of scary-looking, usually harmless indoor stuff that is sometimes mistaken for mold.
For photos of stuff that is indeed mold contamination in buildings, see MOLD APPEARANCE – WHAT MOLD LOOKS LIKE. So many people have called us to look at things that are not mold that I’m offering some photo tips below.
Don’t hire an environmental consultant if your only concern is the stuff you see here and if there are no health or air quality complaints. Save your money, don’t bother testing the things you see below.
Finding “not mold” material in a building does not mean that there is no mold or allergen problem.
Even relatively harmless house dust collected on a surface and sent to a lab as a mold screening test can contain a surprising amount of problematic mold spores if the building has a mold problem.
More important for mold testing, right in among an old colony of harmless cosmetic black mold I’ve on often found hard-to-see Aspergillus sp. or Penicillium sp. mold that grew there much after the original black mold deposit.
Judgment and common sense are needed. Nonetheless, the examples below are unambiguous and should not be sampled for mold testing.
However water stains on some of the wood and a few chains of of Aspergillus sp. spores found in the surface samples from these joists suggested that a further check of other surfaces and materials to look for watger damage and mold growth would be justified.
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