Toxic Black Mold - Dealing With a Silent Scourge of the Modern Home

Many types of mold grow in a household, most relatively benign and no more than a nuisance, although all mold should be treated with caution. One type in particular, however, is a more serious matter. It is called Stachybotrys, and known colloquially as toxic black mold, or simply, black mold.

Toxic black mold is actually kind of greenish in colour, though quite dark, almost black. It is somewhat slimy to the touch. Black mold grows on anything with a cellulose base, such as wood, paper, cardboard and even wallboard or drywall. Often it will grow under carpet or behind paneling, and can grow inside walls, where it can be posing a health risk without even being detected.

Black mold has been linked to Pulmonary Hemorrhage (PH) in infants, and can be very serious to anyone with a depressed immune system or to a child. Even healthy adults are at risk, and health effects can range from itchy eyes and sneezing, to asthma attacks, shortness of breathe and dizziness.

Mold needs moisture to survive, and will only flourish in areas that have a constant supply of it. However, mold doesn\'t need much moisture to be able to grow. Even condensation, such as from a sweating pipe, or from a high level of humidity, is enough. Improperly tuned air conditioning systems, constant steam from showers, or other high humidity factors can encourage mold growth.

Black mold will often grow as a result of a leak or flood. A pipe or roof leak that has a constant small drip, particularly in a dark, warm space, will be a favourite place of mold. If you suspect you might have a mold problem, do a visual check with a flashlight into dark areas, and use your nose to guide you. If you find mold, do not disturb it, however, until you are prepared. Disturbing the mold will cause the spores to disburse into the air, and then you run the risk of breathing them in.

There are plenty of commercial mold killer products on the market. If the mold is easily accessible, then this is an option. Wear a mask when cleaning mold, and be sure to ventilate the home properly. Using an air purifier with a good HEPA filter is recommended. Shower and bathroom molds are generally fairly easy to deal with in this manner.

If the mold is more extensive, for instance as a result of a flood, it is probably best to call in the professionals. Often in the case of flood, a crew will enter the home with respirators and plenty of plastic sheeting and actually cut away all the wallboard in the affected areas. The mold will grow on the wooden studs behind a wall, and must be treated with a chemical solution to kill it. Once the mold has been killed it is carefully scraped and vacuumed until it is all gone. Only then will new wallboard be used to replace the old and repair the wall. Carpets often need to be thrown out, and the floor underneath thoroughly cleaned.

Toxic black mold is an unfortunately common problem in many modern homes. Often, it is undetected, and only after suffering constant respiratory problems does a homeowner start to suspect there can be a mold problem. If you have suffered flooding of any kind, then it is imperative to get the area dry as quickly as possible. If you discover a persistent leak, once the leak is repaired you can begin to assess the mold situation. Many mold problems can be handled by using commercially available products, but more serious mold growth should be dealt with by professionals.

The effects of Stachybotrys are too serious to ignore, and the boon to your family\'s health worth the cost of a professional cleanup if you do have a serious mold problem. Assess the situation as best you can by conducting your own investigation, being careful not to disturb the mold. If you do find black mold, then get professional help to rid your home of this pest and restore your home\'s health.

For more information on toxic black mold and household mold problems, please visit:

http://www.HealthyHomeFacts.com

What Health Problems Are Caused By Mold In Your House?
Did you know that your health problem may be caused by mold? Mold is commonly found in homes and can cause a number of health problems that you may no...

Mold Testing - Forensic Science Investigation for your Family’s Health
If you have reason to believe you have a mold problem in your home, you may need to consider getting professional help. Investigating your own home fo...

The Serious Dangers of Mold and Mildew in Your House
Two years of severe hurricane hits along the Gulf Coast and heavy rains and flooding this spring in the Northeast are providing a nationwide breeding ...

Dating Black Singles - Searching For Your Dream Date
The huge interest in dating black singles is influenced by the large numbers of unmarried women in the African American community. Single black women ...

Acne And Black Currant Seed Oil
Black Currant Seed Oil - Great Alternative Acne TreatmentNowadays we can find many extraordinary alternative acne treatments available, and one of the...

Black Lungs
I would like to cover every aspect of this topic. In order to keep things short I have only included the major topics detailed as good as possible.We ...

10 Steps to Protecting Your Families Health at Home
Many people are not aware that the indoor air in their homes is on average 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air (source EPA) and in some cases can be 1...

Why It Makes Sense To Have Custom Teeth Whitening Trays
One of the easiest and most convenient ways to whiten your teeth is through the use of whitening trays. A peroxide based bleaching agent is placed on ...

Black Christian Singles
Not much difference is seen when we analyze and observe the black Christian singles community. The pressure felt by Christian singles is shared equall...

John - A Story of Being Misunderstood
He was looking at me with this very odd look that I had never seen before. "Why are you looking at me as if you don't know who I am?" I asked. His gaz...

Improve Your Living Standard With Home Improvement Loans
If your home does not conform to the modern living standards, you can consider home improvement. There are many ways in which you can improve your hom...

Interracial Relationship And The Arts
In the 19th and 20th centuries, there existed a fictional character in American Literature aptly referred to as "Tragic Mulatto" or "Tragic Mulatta." ...

Then and Now.
Over one hundred years ago, during the Victorian era, death and grief were popular subjects for poems, songs and stories. Grieving was considered a na...

Get Rid Of Acne Using 3 Easy Natural Remedies - No More Acne
Acne is a very common skin disease that creates lots of trouble to a person's life. It is due to the clot of toxic elements underneath the facial skin...

What You Should Know About A Dental Whitening System
Whether or not you choose to admit it, people are paying huge amounts of money to get whiter teeth. Discoloration occurs as we age and some people wil...