Mold

The most dangerous of molds is commonly known as Black Mold or Toxic Mold but its technical name is Stachybotrys mould.

Caution: Spraying an area with bleach will kill the mould but will not destroy the mycotoxins that are attached to airborne spores.

Stachybotrys mold is characterized by its slimy, black appearance and produces air borne mycotoxins which can manifest itself into flu like symptoms. Some of these symptoms are severe breathing difficulties, hearing loss, skin rashes, sore throats, diarrhea, fatigue, coughing, asthma, memory loss and hemorrhaging in the lungs.

Even the fittest are not immune to the severe health effects of Black Mold.

As with any attack on our respiratory system, those who are young, elderly, or has a compromised immune system are at a greater risk. However, with Black Mold anyone who inhales enough mycotoxins spores will become ill. And, these toxins have been medically linked to Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Pulmonary Hemosiderosis and Cancer.

Mold Detection

If you can see the mould, it is pretty easy to detect, but sometimes the mould is hidden deep within your walls in the studding, rafters and floor joists where detection is more difficult.

You may suspect mould if your home has a musty odor even though there are no obvious signs of mould. However, if we have enough exposure to a particular odor, we become desensitize to it and no longer notice it. We may only notice the musty smell when we come in from the fresh air after a long absence.

Dogs trained to sniff out mould have been used commercially to detect hidden mould hazards.

You may suspect mould if your home has a musty odor even though there are no obvious signs of mould. However, if we have enough exposure to a particular odor, we become desensitize to it and no longer notice it. We may only notice the musty smell when we come in from the fresh air after a long absence.

Removal and Clean Up

If you can see a small amount of mould on surfaces such as shower enclosures and windows, you can clean it up yourself by using a strong bleach solution. Take the precaution of wearing a mask to avoid inhaling the air borne mycotoxins spores.

After you have cleaned up the mould, try to prevent the reoccurrence by repairing the seals around your shower enclosure or windows with caulking, etc.

Don't just paint over mould. It covers it up but does nothing to remove the health issue.

Cleaning the affected area with bleach or another biocide will kill the mould but the dead mould cells still produces the dangerous airborne mycotoxins. If you have a lot of mould or it is within the sheet rock or hidden behind walls, call an expert mould removal specialist to fix the problem.

Mould is a serious health problem with long term medical effects and should not to be taken lightly.

Never procrastinate or ignore the problem as it will only become worse and more expensive to correct with time.

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