What is Toxic Black Mold and Do You Have It?

  • Post on February 4th, 2020
  • by RocketMAD
  • at Mold Inspections

Toxic black mold has gotten a lot of press and consequently, there are many misconceptions surrounding it. First of all, there are over 100,000 types of mold. This makes it unlikely that yours is of the toxic black mold strain. But first, let’s unpack mold in general.

Black Does Not Necessarily Mean Toxic

Color is not the toxicity indicator of mold. In fact, they are very different things. Not all black molds are toxic and molds can range in colors depending on the materials it is feeding on.

For instance, nigrospora is a black mold but it is not toxic to living organisms. Other black molds are alternaria, aureobasidium, dresclera, pithomyces, stemphylium and ulocladium. None of these produce mycotoxins. But mold doesn’t have to be toxic to be harmful. Any type of mold in the home is not healthy, toxic or not.

Toxic Black Mold or Stachybotrys Chartarum

So what is toxic black mold that we hear about so often? This mold is known as stachybotrys chartarum. It is black or even sometimes a dark green. But this mold is not usually found in nature and is not currently considered a common contaminant. Chances are that the mold you may have growing in your home is not stachybotrys chartarum.

No Mold is a Good Mold

That being said, any type of mold is a health issue and should be dealt with. In the case of a non-toxic mold infestation, it can still be an allergen, particularly in the case of more sensitive people or those with asthma and respiratory issues. And mycotoxins can be produced by other types of mold beside stachybotrys chartarum. All mold should be eradicated and the source of moisture removed.

For any mold prevention to work properly, the moisture source needs to be found. Any chronically wet materials will attract mold spores in nature and allow them to settle and grow.

Mold Removal

Any mold that is seen in the home should be removed immediately using the proper safety tools such as a mask and covering any exposed part of the body. If the infestation is extensive or if you have health issues, it’s best to have a professional mold remediation professional take care of it.

Most mold can be removed easily from hard surfaces using a commercial cleaning product or bleach solution. Porous materials that may have absorbed mold spores should be discarded.

Remove the Moisture Source

Once the area is cleaned, moisture sources should be fixed and any contaminated materials should be properly disposed of. Monitor humidity levels in your home and remove any standing water around your home. Humidity will trigger future mold growth. Getting rid of those moisture sources is the key to keeping mold from your home.

If you suspect you have a mold problem, you may want to get a Broward County mold inspection. Call Florida Inspections Unlimited to get a free quote. (305) 910-1171

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