Detecting Mold

What Is Black Mold And Is It Toxic?

Black mold has been causing problems for people for about 10 years. Since mold now plays a major role in our daily lives and reduces our indoor air quality, there should be a simple answer to what it is. Most of the environmental companies are using some big words and phrases that surely do not even exist in dictionaries. Mold removal is somewhat of a science, but one can define mold and its health effects in simpler words in a couple of paragraphs; therefore, you will know what you are seeing when something black and nasty comes up on your shower, ceiling or a dry wall.

Having exactly the same meaning, "Mold", "Toxic Mold", and "Black Toxic Mold" are all phrases made up by the media. The only unique thing about this topic is the type of species that exist in a sample of black mold. You can get a good idea about how toxic or problematic the mold is by knowing the type of the species.

How To Know If The Mold Is Toxic Or Not?

Most of the types of mold can be harmful for your health. One of the species of molds that you need to be aware of is a nasty black one, called Aspergillus. This type of mold grows in humid areas. Therefore, if you have a moist basement or a leak in the piping of your home and find something that even looks like mold, you will have aspergillus. The best place for this type of mold to thrive is an area that is wet and moist.

For example, your walls! There are many other types of black mold like chaetomium, dematicious, etc. One of the most common and dangerous ones that you should be aware of is called Stachybotrys. This species is similar and toxic too. The main problem with such molds is that you cannot identify them by their look, color or shape. There are just too many varieties and species.

The thing that you should worry about in black mold is the spores. Some people might be highly allergic, even to the point that they get sick from mold and toxic mold spores. Why does mold make you sick? The mold eats the surface of the wall or the part of your home that it grows on. Slowly and surely, it starts to release what it has eaten. The things that are released are called excrements and they cause sickness in people.