Black Mold Health

Black mold is a form of the fungus Aspergillus Niger and usually affects fruits and vegetables.  Most often black mold affects crops of onions and kills out strains of peanuts and grapes.  Black mold can take root in a strain of potatoes and ruin an entire crop.  Lack mold spores can take hold in maple trees and grow fully when climate conditions are right.  However, there have been cases where black mold health related problems have arisen in horticulture workers.

Black mold health related problems can result in the lung disease Asperillosis.  Black mold heath related symptoms can also turn up in the form of Otomycosis.  Otomycosis is a fungal ear infection which can result in hearing loss, ear canal damage, and severe pain in some cases.  Asperillosis and Otomycosis can both be found in black mold on plants and sometimes in Egyptian tombs where it can fester for years before it is inhaled by humans.

There are some benefits that black mold health will promote for humans.  Black mold is used in factories in the production of enzymes which when fermented will create high fructose corn syrup and can be used to help wine clarity.  You do not want to consume black mold in its raw stat though as it could cause vomiting and high fevers.

Black mold health related issues are rare but certainly something to be watched out for.  If you are in an area where black mold health related problems are something you should be wary of then just look for the signs and avoid them.  You will be able to see black mold growing in plants and fruits and you will know not to eat the said fruit and alert authorities.  Many farmers at farmers markets have inspected their onions and peanuts fully and will not be passing the black mold health related risks on to you.

Black Mold Testing

Mold may not seem like much of a problem.  After all, some molds can even be useful, such as the molds used to make some types of cheeses or penicillin. But did you know that toxic black mold can cause breathing problems, skin irritation, and severe allergies?  If you think your house might have toxic black mold, it’s a good idea to get black mold testing done to prevent the growth of further mold problems.  If you or your children are developing breathing problems or allergies and you can’t figure out why, it might be useful to obtain black mold testing.

Toxic black mold can grow behind your walls, in your air ducts, and in other unseen places from your basement to your attic. It may not be visible, but can cause health problems and structural problems nonetheless. Black mold testing is a way to see if your health problems are being caused by mold or if they’re from some other source. If the problem is severe, you may even have to move out of your house temporarily and allow a mold remediation service to remove the problem before you return. 

Black mold testing may show that you have a less toxic form of mold, in which case it may be safe for you to remove the mold yourself.  You should be aware, however, that where one type of mold is thriving, other kinds can also grow.  Even if your mold is of a less serious variety, the conditions might be right for toxic black mold to grow. Once the black mold testing service has been performed and the mold removed, it’s  a good idea to take precautions such as purchasing a dehumidifier and ensuring that any water leaks or damage are repaired. Take away humidity and you take away mold’s livelihood. Get black mold testing, get mold removed, and take appropriate action to ensure a mold-free home.

Black Mold Symptom

If you live in an area with a relative humidity index of over 55%then your home and your body is more susceptible than most to the dangers of toxic black mold.  Like other molds, toxic black mold is a fungus that spreads and grows very quickly when given the most favorable conditions needed such as poorly lit, damp surfaces. Pipe and roofing leaks and flooding could indicate that your home is exhibiting a potential black mold symptom.  Another black mold symptom found in the home is a musty odor, condensation or rusting and discoloration of walls.  Astoundingly, even a love of houseplants can ominously suggest a potential black mold symptom because of their constant need for watering.  Warped wood, peeled and cracked paint, and blackened tiling can also be indicators of a residential black mold symptom to be on the lookout for. 

Your home is not the only concern in the potential toxicity of black mold.  Toxic black mold is very dangerous to humans and animals alike.  One very serious black mold symptom experienced by humans is loss of brain function including memory loss, impairment and difficulty in the thought process. Toxic black mold can also cause the worst black mold symptom, which is destruction of brain tissue.  Abdominal pain, altered immunity, cancer, central nervous system dysfunction, hemorrhage, frequent migraines, depression, seizures, and dementia among many other lessor and more serious conditions have been linked to toxic black mold poisoning and eventually death for many victims.

If you suspect your home may have a black mold problem, you will want to find the source of the mold right away.  If you are in poor health or have a weakened immune system, you may want to hire a specialist to find and remove the mold for you professionally for a fee.  However, if you prefer to clean up yourself, always wear a protective mask and cover your body so that skin and open wounds follicles, etc are not exposed to the mold.

Black Mold Exposure Symptoms

Mold can be a toxic visitor in your home that you may not even now is there. Home inspections are one way of combating against mold and keeping your home clean and healthy for everyone who lives in it.

There are some forms of mold, like toxic black mold, that can be very dangerous to the health of the people inhabiting the home. You may not even realize you have a toxic mold such as toxic black mold in your house. If toxic black mold infestation gets too severe, the home may need to be evacuated for a period of time. It can be detrimental to one’s health to be exposed to certain types of mold like toxic black mold for too long. Homes with young children and animals who may be more likely to directly ingest toxic black mold because they are more likely to put things in their mouths. These types of homes especially benefit from mold testing kits or home inspections.

If you or your family members have already been exposed to a toxic mold such as black mold, there are black mold exposure symptoms to be on the watch for. Black mold exposure symptoms can be signs of black mold entering your body and causing harm. Different types of toxic mold can cause different symptoms. The amount of mold you have been exposed to and how you came into contact with it also have to do with what type of black mold exposure symptoms you may show. There are a number of black mold exposure symptoms that have to do with the respiratory system. Difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and sneezing can be signs of exposure to black mold. Other black mold exposure symptoms include chronic fatigue, headaches, swollen lymph nodes, and in some severe cases, cancer.

Toxic Mold

While most human beings can handle mold in very small quantities, toxic mold can be a very different story.  If toxic mold is found in the environment, it can result in a myriad of health problems for both humans and pets.  Mold grows in moist areas with little sunlight.  Many people are not even aware that they could have potentially toxic mold growing in their homes, which is why education on this is so important.  If you know what environments it likes to live in, you can be more aware of it and know what to look for.  It is essential that people know what kind of serious health risks toxic mold can pose.  You may not even know you have mold in your home, but might begin to feel sick.  In many cases, you might feel worse at home, but your symptoms often subside when you leave that environment.  If this persists, it’s important to do a check for toxic mold.

Some of the most well known symptoms of toxic mold include breathing difficulty, memory loss, nausea, dizziness, allergies that come on out of nowhere, and in some cases, burning and itchy eyes and nasal passages.  All of these are very distinct signs that toxic mold may be in your home or workplace.  This dangerous mold can often cause serious illness, and in some severe and unfortunate cases, death.  It is essential that this mold be removed immediately by a professional.  Try not to attempt to remove this mold by you if at all possible, as prolonged exposure can be very dangerous.  Once you are aware of the warning signs, you can help to keep your home and family safe from the dangers of toxic mold.  Be sure to contact someone right away at the very first sign that toxic mold might be in your home so you can eliminate quickly.

Toxic Molds

Toxic molds are many varieties of mold that can cause the human immune system to deteriorate.  Toxic Molds will make your family very ill and cause your quality of life to deteriorate.  You want to make sure you are following the proper steps to make sure that Toxic Mold does not grow in your home and cause sickness.  You can watch out for the signs of mold growth on your walls and furniture if you know what to look for.

There are many classes of mold which can invade your home.  Some of the classes of mold are Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Cryptococcus, Penicillium, Trichoderma, Rhodotorula and Harposporium.  There is a point for every person where the mold levels can be considered as Toxic Mold and health concerns will arise.  It is easier for people with compromised immune systems to be affected by Toxic Molds more easily then healthy people.

The growing conditions for Toxic Mold require a water source, a food source and a substance to grow upon.  Plywood, drywall, carpets and padding can all be conditions where Toxic Molds can grow.  Toxic Molds can grow at a very slow rate on some surfaces until they have gone through an incident of water damage and then the Toxic Molds will be in the perfect conditions for growth.

In order to prevent Toxic Molds from growing in your home you want to make sure that first and foremost your home is dry.  If you are aware of the conditions where Toxic Molds can grow then it will be easier for you to prevent Toxic Molds from causing your family from being sick.  The key to making sure your home is in good condition is prevention because it is always easier to prevent Toxic Molds then to rid them from your home. 

Black Mold

Black mold is one of the most devastating types of mold to infect both a home and human beings.  It has been known to cause illness and even death in certain people, and it spreads very rapidly, sometimes taking over the entire home.  There are several warning signs that everyone should pay attention to in order to be warned about a possible black mold infestation.  First and foremost, people living in areas of the country with high humidity should pay special attention and look for black mold.  If the interior of your home has high humidity levels, this can be a breeding ground for the mold.  Basements that are dark and damp are also places where the mold likes to grow, so be sure to check it often and treat these areas if possible for mold growth.  Any kind of pipe leaks or water dripping in areas of the house are also warning signs that black mold can grow there, so be sure to investigate at least every 6 months or so for these drips and leaks.

Black mold starts off very small, which makes it more difficult to notice, however this mold also spreads extremely quickly and has a dark color that is hard to miss.  If you begin to notice musty or mildew like smells, it’s important to find out what is causing them and where they’re coming from, as black mold has this scent.  You may also notice that you or your family members are becoming more prone to colds that last longer than usual.  This could be an indication that there is black mold in your home.  It’s important to know the warning signs of black mold so you can prevent it from affecting you and your loved ones.  Catching it early and eliminating it as soon as possible is the best defense against this unhealthy invader.

Toxic Black Mold

Some types of mold are toxic, and some are just a nuisance. If you have mold, it’s important to figure out which kind you have.  Harmless mold is merely unsightly and annoying; it can be quickly cleaned with a diluted bleach solution.  If it grows back, that means that the problem is more than just a surface issue. You may need to remove part of the wall where the mold is growing in order to address the problem at its source.

However, before you do this (or have a contractor do this) it’s a good idea to see if the mold is toxic black mold or another harmful variety.  (A mold can be any color and still cause health problems, since there are many varieties of mold and just as many individual reactions to mold.) Before disturbing the mold further, a mold test can determine if toxic black mold is present, or if another mold variety is there.  Since mold danger increases as spores spread throughout the air, a big toxic black mold problem or other mold issue will need to be well-contained so that the air quality  in other parts of the house isn’t harmed.

A mold test done by a mold inspection professional can offer a good idea of the type and degree of mold present. This may take a while, but in the meantime you can ensure that conditions in your house don’t favor mold. Use a dehumidifier to make life unpleasant for mold, since toxic black mold thrives on moisture.  If the mold test reveals a serious problem, you many need to temporarily evacuate your house while it’s cleaned up by a professional.   Like asbestos removal, mold remediation is best left to a professional rather than to a homeowner.  Increased exposure to toxic black mold spores can cause serious health problems, and any person (professional or otherwise) should wear adequate protective gear while working with it.

Mildew Mold Removal

When mildew and mold is first detected in our homes, the first instinct is to grab that nearby sponge or expensive spray cleaner and begin a long and sometimes painful regiment of mildew mold removal.  Why is it that we put ourselves through such an exercise for the mildew mold removal process?  Why is mildew and mold so hard to get rid of?  Is there any thing that is more effective for mildew mold removal?

To answer these questions we must first consider what mildew and mold are.  Mildew is a thin black or white growth found on just about any surface that mold can be grown.  Molds are pretty prevalent in the air but mildew needs moisture and favorable temperature conditions in order to grow usually humid summer weather in closed houses.  Mildew is especially prevalent in areas that are damp, poorly lit, warm, and poorly ventilated.  Mildew will cling to cotton, rayon, linen, silk, wool, wood, paper, and leather and if untreated will stain, discolor, rot fabrics and create a musty odor. 

Since mildew mold removal is many times difficult and undetected until it is a problem, it is first recommended that when mildew is found to be present, the source of the moisture is recognized and when applicable, seal any cracks, repair insulations, drafts, and misfitting fixtures to control or eliminate moisture buildup.  Keeping things clean and taking preventative measures such as spraying your showers and tubs after each use will also ease mildew mold removal by providing a less favorable environment for the mildew to thrive upon and less nutrients for it to grow.  Drying out the air will also ease the battle of mildew mold removal.  Remember that cool air will hold less moisture than warm air so air conditioners and humidifiers are great for this task.