Is toxic mold getting a very bad rap or what? Yes and no. First of all, every home has some mold in it. It’s a naturally occurring part of life and definitely belongs in the ecosystem to break down dead leaves and other organic matter. In large amounts, though, it can cause a lot of harm when it hides under sinks, in the bathroom or when it blows around in the air we breathe. The spores can be carried indoors on the family’s clothing or on a pet’s fur. Then they attach themselves to damp areas where they thrive and grow. The key to not having an over abundance of mold in the home is to create a home with adequate ventilation.
What Are Toxic Molds/Black Molds
There are so many different kinds of mold on the Earth that it can come in an array of colors, including green, white, black, red and more. You do not want to see elevated amounts of it in your home, regardless of the color. Now, the term “toxic” mold is used to describe the kinds of mold that produce toxins (or mycotoxins, to be precise); the most notorious among them are the groups of mold called Stachybotrus, but even they won’t be producing mycotoxins if the conditions aren’t right. And to complicate things further, any color of mold can produce the mycotoxins that cause health concerns in people who are susceptible to them. So in short, the “toxic black mold” is an inaccurate term which basically means nothing.
Who Suffers the Most from Mold in the Home?
Certain individuals are more susceptible to molds and will suffer from exposure to the toxins emitted from them. Included in this group are pregnant women, the elderly, little children, people with cancer or other diseases and those who already have asthma and allergies. The health of those who already have a low immune system can also be threatened by the mycotoxins.
You may have seen the plight of a family with nine children on the news. When they noticed mold growing in their home, they called in a specialist who used a fan to dry the home and remove the mold. In doing so, spores blew all over the home without anyone knowing. One after the other, family members began to suffer with ailments such as blurred vision, allergies, vertigo, vomiting, nausea, stomach aches and migraines. They finally had to move to a drier part of the country.
The subject of mold and how the human race reacts to it is slowly gaining in interest by the medical professional community. Since there are 100,000 types on the Earth, it’s difficult to know which one is causing any problems or which ones are doing good without microscopic examinations.
Dealing with the Problem of Mold
The key is to have a drier home with a fan installed in the bathroom or any other damp area of your home. Have attic vents installed. Anything you can do to prevent its growth will lessen health issues caused by it. If you are not sure about a family member’s health, or they are experiencing suspicious allergies, always make a point of speaking to your physician as to whether it could be caused by mold.
When you see mold in elevated amounts, you should call in a specialist who has experience and is well educated in mold removal to come out to your home and do an inspection. If you are like most people, no matter what the color is, you don’t want to take chances.