Toxic Black Mold: What You Should Know

Black Mold is everywhere

There are many thousands of species of black mold throughout the world, but not all black mold is created equally. In fact, like many fungi, a large percentage of black molds are actually harmless, which leads us to our next point:

Not all species of black mold are toxic

Many species of mold are relatively harmless when it comes to your health. Black mold, or Stachybotrys Atra, one species that is toxic to your health and home. This species and Stachybotrys chartarum are those that are commonly discussed when people refer to “black mold.”

If these molds are present in your home or business, it’s important to take precautions and contact a skilled mold remediation specialist who knows how to deal with toxic black mold. A mold removal and remediation specialist will determine if the mold present in your home is toxic or not, and will formulate a mold removal plan from there.

Black mold loves the dark

Like many other molds, toxic black mold thrives in dark, warm, wet environments. It’s likely to appear in parts of the home that are humid and dark, like air ducts, basements, or crawlspaces with leaks present.
If you’ve had water damage in your home, there could be mold hiding under the surface. When items remain wet for prolonged periods of time after a flood, mold thrives. Carpets, wood flooring, dry-wall, and furniture are examples of toxic black mold breeding grounds.

Toxic black mold is hazardous for your health

Black mold is toxic and therefore dangerous for your health and well-being. If present in your home or business, it can cause a range of health problems. The severity of these issues depend on the length of exposure, the number of spores inhaled, and the particular strain of toxic mold.

Symptoms of mold exposure can include fever, rashes, chronic fatigue, headaches, irritation to the eyes, irritation of the mucous membranes, sneezing, diarrhea and chronic coughing. In cases of prolonged or severe exposure, more extreme symptoms include vomiting, nausea, respiratory distress, memory loss, immune system suppression, and bleeding of the nose and lungs.

As you can probably imagine, it’s vital to deal with black mold quickly to reduce the risk of exposure. If there is mold in your home, and you think it may be black mold, contact a mold removal specialist immediately. The safety of you and your family depends on it. The mold remediation experts at Scavello Restoration will give you a free quote and peace of mind when it comes to your black mold needs.

Have questions about black mold or the mold remediation process? Let us know in the comments below.