Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra, is a type of mold that grows on materials that are cellulose-rich with a low nitrogen content, such as gypsum board, lint, paper, and dust. This mold, which is actually greenish-black in color, thrives in environments that are damp and full of moisture. Its appearance in your home could be the result of a high humidity environment, leaking water pipes, condensation, flooding, or other types of water damage. Of all the molds that may be existing in your home or business, this the one with the worst reputation.
There is a lot of fear surrounding “toxic black mold” and any search of “What is Toxic Black Mold?” will populate results from those that claim that this mold is the most dangerous of all molds and that it can cause disastrous damage to your home and health if not taken care of right away. Only part of this is true. According to the CDC:
The term “toxic mold” is not accurate. While certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins (specifically mycotoxins), the molds themselves are not toxic, or poisonous. Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house.
In short, all molds pose health risks and there is no proven evidence that shows that black mold causes any rare health conditions separate from other types of molds. Black mold can create respiratory problems or have a greater effect on people with weakened immune systems, but so can other mold strains. So, the only thing to do in the case of any type of mold is to clean it as soon as possible and to prevent it from becoming a reoccurring problem.
If you don’t know how to clean black mold, we suggest contacting a professional company to do it for you, like Mitigation1. Professional companies, like ours, are experienced in dealing with these types of issues and have all the equipment and chemicals necessary to get rid of the problem quickly and safely. If you have a small mold problem, then you might want to consider doing the job yourself. There are plenty of resources online on how to remove black mold using common household chemicals.
Black Mold
A mild mold problem can quickly become a serious one. While some molds may stay on surfaces, others can penetrate your walls and cause building materials to rot. There’s no reason to have to deal with these structural and safety issues when you don’t have to. Give Mitigation1 a call today. We’ll be happy to assess your home for mold damage and offer you fair estimates for mold removal and cleanup. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
