Black mold is the boogie man that most homeowners have come to fear. But what is black mold? And is all black-colored mold toxic?
3 Different Classifications of Mold
There are three different classifications of mold. The first is allergenic molds, which only affect people with certain allergies or asthma. These include Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, and Ulocladium, all of which look like black mold but are non-toxic. Two other types of allergy-causing mold are Fusarium, which can become toxic when there is high and prolonged exposure, and Mucor, which grows near AC and HVAC units and should be removed by non-professionals.
The next type of mold classification is is pathogenic molds. These cause certain infections and diseases and, while most healthy people can fight them off, they are dangerous to people with compromised or weakened immune systems. These include Chaetomium, which is found in drywall which that had water damage, and Geotrichum, which is a fast-spreading mold that can sometimes cause chronic headaches.
The last and most dangerous mold classification are toxic molds. They produce poisonous chemicals that intentionally harm other living things, rather than having the harm be a side effect. Both pets and humans can be exposed via ingestion, skin contact, and spore inhalation. Stachybotrys Chartarum, and Memnoniella, both of which are more commonly known as toxic black mold, areis is found in areas that stay damp. It hasIt They have a musty smell, wet and slimy texture, and can cause many health symptoms issues including respiratory issues, chronic nosebleeds and/or headaches, fatigue, and (in cases of prolonged exposure) it can even cause brain and heart damage. A similar type of mold that grows alongside black mold is Memnoniella, which looks like black mold to the naked eye and causes similar health issues.
What to do if you expect suspect black mold:
If you think you have black mold, don’t try to DIY it. While people claim that using bleach or Kilz will get rid of toxic mold, the only way to ensure it is completely gone is by hiring a professional company to inspect your home and eradicate the mold. Different companies provide different options, but at Enviro-Air, we have three different mold-related services.
• Mold inspection, where we look for visible signs on mold within your home
• Mold testing, in which we will test for mold if you see it forming in your house, believe you can smell mold or a musty odor, want the indoor air quality tested for mold spores, or want to ensure all mold has been removed after previous mold remediation.
• Mold inspection, where we look for visible sign of mold inside your home.
• Mold remediation, in which we thoroughly clean the affected areas with industrial chemicals and/or replace infested materials.
If you believe your home has toxic mold, don’t wait. Call today!