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The Most Dangerous Types of Toxic Mold

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Many of us get nervous if we notice even the slightest bit of any type of mold in our homes. This is probably due to the fact that there has been an uptick in news stories and nationwide media coverage regarding the dangers of black mold in the past several years. Before you freak out over mold, the important thing to keep in mind is that there is a large variety of mold, each with their own unique characteristics and varying levels of danger. It is the types of toxic molds that produce mycotoxins, other toxins, and VOC’s that you really need to be concerned about. Listed below you will find more information about the more common types of toxic mold you may find in and around your home or building.

So what is mold?

To be brief- Mold is a form of fungus – ranging from delectable food such as mushrooms and truffles to use in making medicine to toxic black mold. As we all know, some fungi are good in nature and can even be eaten, while other types of mold are considered dangerous and you would not want to welcome these guests into your home. One of mold and fungi main purposes in the environment is to assist with decomposing dead organic materials they attach themselves too. This could be leaves, wood, food, walls, studs, roofing shingles, etc. As many types of mold and fungi cause minor allergic reactions ranging to toxic mold reactions, mold and fungi are also very helpful when it comes to everyday items such as beer, wine, and medicine.

There are literally thousands of species of mold and fungi that are naturally occurring in the environment, all having one thing in common- all they need to thrive is either a humid and/or moist environment with organic material to feed upon. In a home or building, there are specific conditions that must be present for mold to grow and flourish. These conditions would include a food source such as wood, drywall, carpet, or even clothing that is located in an area where it is dark and damp. Keep in mind it only takes approximately 24 to 48 hours for most mold to start spreading.

Common Causes of Toxic Mold

A leaky roof, excess condensation, poor ventilation, a leaky pipe, malfunctioning HVAC system can all cause mold to grow in your home.

Condensation is one of the most common causes and it typically occurs when there is a cold surface within a humid environment.` Condensation is common on window sills, in HVAC closets and rooms, around windows, around pipes, and on walls and ceilings. One of the leading causes of condensation is poor ventilation which can cause stagnant moist air. Another common cause of condensation is steam from a hot shower or pot of boiling water in a poorly ventilated bathroom or kitchen

Black Mold

Stachybotrys chartarum, one of the more commonly understood toxic black molds, is one of the most dangerous of of types of species or sub species of toxic mold that you may find in your home or building. Stachybotrys is also one of the toxic molds that can cause “sick building syndrome“, of which, has started to become a mainstream term in the environmental services and medical industry.

Some people think that the entire toxic black mold topic has been exaggerated by industry insiders or the media, the fact of the matter is yes, a lot of different types of molds are toxic, can make you sick in numerous ways, and can also harm and contribute directly to an untimely demise in an ill person or someone with poor immunity. In short, certain types of black mold can be deadly.

Nonetheless, toxic black mold can live just about anywhere, yet as with all types of mold, toxic mold will thrive in where ever there is excess moisture and organic materials- carpet, wallpaper, drywall, wood, studs, cabinets, flooring, fabrics and clothing, furniture, along with just about another type of organic material you find in every home.

Toxic Black Mold Health Concerns-

There are many different types of mold that can cause allergic reactions all the way to severe health issues including eye infections, respiratory infections, flu and fever like symptoms, etc. The difference with toxic black mold is that it produces mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are basically a toxic chemical that is released from specific types of toxic black mold that can cause a wide range of many types of illnesses, and can also be directly attributed to death. As these specific types of toxic black mold produce spores, they are released along with these toxic mycotoxins, of which, can be easily absorbed through the skin, through ingestion, or through inhalation.

Most living organisms will have a negative reaction to mycotoxins with conditions ranging from a simple cold to a stuffy nose, to headaches, fever and flu like symptoms, skin infections, dermatitis, sore throats, fatigue, dizziness and vertigo, nose bleeds, rhinitis, respiratory infections and illnesses, eye infections, internal infections, liver and kidney disorders, hair loss, memory loss, and in extremely rare cases even death.

Types of Toxic Black Mold

-Stachybotrys- one of the, if not the most common toxic black mold and it is also one of the most toxic mold species. This toxic black mold is is extremely hard to detect if not already visuallly present and accessible to test; and it is complex to test with traditional air sampling, similar to the toxic mold Aspergillius. Some molds only eject spores at certain times of the day…some at night

-Memnoniella can also be referred to as a toxic black mold, and is similar to Stachybotrys with similar negative health effects.

-Aspergillus- There are about 20 species of Aspergillus, all producing mycotoxins.

-Alternaria- Another one of the more common types of toxic mold you may find around your home or building.

-Penicillium- Only some species of Penicillium produce mycotoxins.

– Cladosporium. Cladosporium can survive in both cold and warm environments. It commonly grows indoor in carpets, fabrics and under floorboards. It is brown in color or sometimes olive-green with a suede-like texture. Exposure to its spores can cause a variety of allergic reactions, including itchy eyes, running nose, sore throat, and skin infections. It is also associated with asthma, sinusitis and lung infections.

-Fusarium- Exposure to this mold can cause allergic reactions, sore throat, dermatitis, eye infections, runny noses, nervous system damage, internal bleeding, a wide range of infections including bone infections, and even brain abscesses.

– Chaetomium- Another nasty mold that has been linked to autoimmune diseases, neurological and nervous system damage, and a wide range of allergic reactions. Chaetomium is often mistaken for the black mold as they have the same characteristics and thrive in similar environments. However, one produces mycotoxins and one does not.

These are some of the most common types of toxic black mold that you could potentially find in your home. As a mold removal company, we have to test the air and mold to figure out what type of mold it is, which in turn, allows us to lay out a science backed plan of action to properly eradicate the mold from your home or building.

For more information about our mold removal services, please call- 1-305-763-8070

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South Florida’s Premier Indoor Air Quality, Environmental Services, and Mold Removal Service Provider- Miami Mold Specialist: High Tech and Eco Friendly Indoor Air Quality, Mold Assessments and Environmental Consulting, 3rd Party “Conflict Free” Mold Testing, Mold Removal and Mold Remediation, Mold Prevention, Radon Testing, Water Damage Control, and Water Protection and Purification Services by Miami Mold Specialist.

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