Most people may not realize it, but mold could be lurking in their homes unnoticed. Why should you care and take precautions? That’s what we’ll discuss in today’s post.
What is mold?
Various types of fungi make up the stuff we call mold. It thrives in warm, moist places and can be found in nearly any environment. If they are present in your home, they can cause a number of health problems.
Indoors you can find molds such as aspergillus, an allergenic mold. It can usually be found in or around home air conditioning units and their connected systems. Cladosporium, which is usually black or green, grows near toilet tanks and in fiberglass air ducts. This mold can also cause allergic reactions like sore throats or eye irritation.
Outdoors, you might see orange or red molds on untreated wooden surfaces. While it’s harmless as far as allergies are concerned, it can make the wooden surfaces slick or slimly.
Stachybotrys atra, also called “black mold,” is one of the more toxigenic molds. This mold is not actually toxic itself, but produce toxins. Black mold usually grows on fiberboard and gypsum board, and it can even grow on paper or lint.
If the conditions in your home are hospitable to molds, you probably have some growing. If the mold is toxic, you may want to hire professionals to have the mold remediated.
It is best to have it taken care of when you notice the first signs. If you stop it early, you can save a lot of money and trouble. Your nose is one of the best tools you can use to detect mold early. If an area of your home smells musty or earthy, you may have a mold problem.
Health effects of toxic mold
As stated earlier, while molds are not toxic, some molds are toxigenic. They produce toxins that can attach to mold spores and drift into the air. When inhaled, these toxins can cause a number of health-related issues, such as:
- Sore throat
- Asthma
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy skin
- Coughing
- Neurological symptoms
- Pain
There are a number of different symptoms associated with black or toxic mold and they may vary from person to person. Individuals with weaker immune systems will experience worse effects. There is no treatment for these symptoms. The only solution is to have the mold removed from your building.
Toxic mold removal
It is impossible to tell what type of mold you have by simply looking. A microscope must be used to determine the species. Testing is expensive, and the CDC does not recommend testing molds. All molds can create health problems and should be removed if detected.
If the area is small, you could be able to remove it yourself. Most people prefer to hire professionals experienced in mold remediation. When repairing damage caused by mold, spores are more likely to be afloat in the air. Professionals have equipment to ensure their safety and the ability to know when the mold is completely removed. If you want to make sure your home is safe for your loved ones, call an expert.