One of the most common types of black mold is called Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as toxic mold. While it’s referred to frequently as black mold, it can also be a greenish or brown color, and it tends to grow on wood, paper products, and cotton. Mold can produce toxic chemicals in airborne spores, which are called mycotoxins. Some people are allergic to mold, but for others, there are broad symptoms that can occur with exposure, known as toxic mold syndrome. There are also links to mold and immune system disorders, including autoimmune disease.
The Causes of Black Mold
Mold is part of the environment, and in the right conditions, all types can grow. The “right” conditions for mold to grow and thrive include a space with a humidity or moisture level of 70% or above. The mold needs a food source, which in your home can be drywall, and it needs oxygen and temperatures ranging from 40-100 degrees. Specifically, where mold is most likely to grow in a home includes anywhere there’s been leaky water, damp rooms without a lot of ventilation, like a bathroom, and basements with high humidity. Other mold-prone areas include anywhere there’s been previous flooding and parts of a home with abundant water condensation.
If you’re allergic to mold, you may experience obvious and nearly immediate symptoms when exposed. For other people, symptoms develop over time with ongoing exposure, making it harder to uncover why they’re happening. Common mold exposure symptoms can include coughing, sneezing, and postnasal drip. Dry skin, itchiness of the nose, throat, or eyes, and nasal congestion can also be symptoms of mold exposure. For people with asthma, mold exposure can worsen symptoms and lead to a higher likelihood of experiencing an asthma attack. Asthma attack symptoms include tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
Let Indoor Microbial Specialist guide you through the process of identifying and getting rid of Black Mold. Just contact our Chief Mold Assessor to consult. We service: The Villages, Gainesville and Fort Lauderdale Florida.
