Home and Living

Black mold is associated with toxicity and the media has often referred to it as Toxic mold or Toxic black mold. This kind of mold is related to Stachybotrys chartarum, a type of greenish-black mold commonly linked with heavy water damage. However, not all molds that appear to be black are Stachybotrys. The known health effects from exposure to Stachybotrys are similar to other common molds, but research is still inconclusive in this area as it is also said to be associated with more severe health effects in some people.

How Black mold can affect people

Those with a fit immune system would not probably suffer much reaction when exposed to common household molds and those with allergic reactions, similar to common pollen or animal allergies, and irritation are the most common health effects for individuals sensitive to molds; resulting in these latter kind developing flu-like symptoms and a temporary problem of mild to severe skin rash. Molds may also aggravate asthma. In rare cases, fungal infections from building-associated molds may occur in people with serious immune disease. Most symptoms are temporary and eliminated by correcting the mold problem. The question of whom or what categories of people are affected by exposure to mold usually arises in areas where there has been an outbreak of mold. There is a wide variability in how and who are affected by exposure to mold. People are affected over variable periods of time. Some may be affected more severely and quickly than others. Children and Infants are the most susceptible to infection. Elderly citizens are next in line, followed by pregnant women and individuals with respiratory conditions, allergies and asthma. However, the people who are in a high risk category of developing very serious ailments, if affected by mold, are persons with weakened immune systems such as, chemotherapy patients, organ or bone marrow transplant recipients, and people with HIV infections or some autoimmune diseases.

Preventing Black mold build up

If mold is detected in homes or buildings the important step is to identify and fix the source of moisture and arrest the growth of mold. For relatively small mold problems, the mold can be washed off hard surfaces with some strong detergent and hot water. People cleaning mold should take proper precaution and wear gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask or respirator to protect against breathing airborne spores. If you have health concerns, you should consult your doctor before attempting to cleanup any form of mold.