Molds are simple, microscopic organisms present virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Molds, including all mushrooms and yeast, are fungi and are needed to break down dead material and recycle nutrients in the environment. The longer that mold grows, the more mold damage to the building. Most kinds of mold are harmless and human bodies can tolerate molds and mycotoxins in small quantities. In larger quantities, they can be a health hazard. A few species can cause serious and even irreparable harm in humans. One of the most dangerous kinds of toxic mold is a black mold known as Stachybotrys chartarum. Stachybotrys chartarum is not uncommon and certainly not rare. Stachybotrys may produce compounds that have toxic properties known as mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are produced depending on what the mold is growing on, conditions such as temperature, pH and humidity. Mycotoxins can appear in both living and dead mold spores. Mold testing can be used to identify and quantify fungi and extent of exposure so that necessary action can be implemented. To find out if you have a Black Mold problem, you must test. You may either purchase a Do-it-Yourself Toxic Mold test kit online, go to your favorite retail store, or if you think you need a more in-depth on-site inspection contact a professional mold inspector. Stachybotrys Chartarum occurs more frequently in animals than in humans. However, if spores are released into the air, humans certainly can come into contact with them and develop symptoms that include flu-like symptoms, respiratory problems, headaches, cognitive problems, and skin irritation. Since common building materials are capable of sustaining mold growth and mold spores are ubiquitous, mold growth in an indoor environment is typically related to an indoor water or moisture problem. If water enters the inside of a wall through siding degradation, leaks above, or water leaks in plumbing inside the wall, mold will grow very well in the wet indoor wall cavities. A Certified Mold Inspector can detect mold growing inside a wall through his or her fiber optics inspection device. Many people do not take a little visible mold growth very seriously. However, this can be an indication of a much larger mold growth in less visible places. Mold can take on a variety of appearances, such as black, grey-brown, grey-green, white & orange spots, or even pink or purple splotches. Copyright 2006 Lena Hilltorp |
