What to Know About Black Mold

Table Of Content

• Get a snapshot of your health - right now.
• Eliminate exposure
• How is a black mold allergy diagnosed?
• What are the signs and symptoms of mold allergy?
• What are symptoms and effects of mold exposure?
• The Allergen Lurking in Your House: Mold Allergy Symptoms
• Asthma Symptoms
• What tests will be done to diagnose a black mold allergy?

A home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system plays a pivotal role in ensuring the comfort and air quality of the living space. However, being a conduit for airflow, it can unwittingly become a transporter for mold spores. If mold growth is within the ductwork or in any part of the HVAC system, these spores can be dispersed throughout the home every time the system is on. Discoloration that manifests as irregular patches of black, green, brown, or even yellow can be a telltale sign of mold on ceilings and walls. In high-moisture environments, these patches have a slimy texture due to the active growth and feeding of mold colonies.

Can Black Mold Kill You? Fortunately, Probably Not - Healthline

Can Black Mold Kill You? Fortunately, Probably Not.

Posted: Fri, 21 Jun 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Get a snapshot of your health - right now.

Stachybotrys chartarum is usually the one referred to as " toxic mold." All molds can cause symptoms in people who are sensitive to or allergic to mold. But there is no reason to believe that black mold is any more dangerous than other types or colors of mold. A mold rash occurs when your immune system regards mold as an allergen. The release of antibodies triggers allergy symptoms that can include coughing, wheezing, and a skin rash.

Eliminate exposure

Even in the cleanest of homes, it's impossible to eliminate. Whenever you open a window or go outside, mold can be ushered in through the air or attach itself to your clothing and shoes. Once indoors, it can grow in the walls, carpeting, upholstery, and more. The truth is, mold is good at reproducing anywhere there is moisture; mold has existed for millions of years and has picked up a few survival tricks along the way.

How is a black mold allergy diagnosed?

A building committee was formed to look at options in moving forward. The committee looked at remodeling the facility, building an addition and demolishing it. The school also looked at the costs of portable classrooms, which Matt said are pricey and come with the added cost of connecting to utilities. Closing the building displaced roughly 60 students in the two kindergarten classrooms and two first-grade classrooms. The proposed plan is to rebuild the facility for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. First and second grade will be housed in Smith Valley’s main building, which contains the majority of the district’s classrooms and the main office.

Your walls, floors, appliances, carpet, or furniture – they can all provide the food mold needs to grow. But the thing all molds need most is moisture, so you're most likely to see mold in damp places such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements, and crawl spaces. Mold growing in homes and buildings indicates that there is a problem with water or moisture.

What are symptoms and effects of mold exposure?

Let’s examine the types of mold you’re most likely to find in your home, the potential effects on your health, and how to get rid of mold. Places that are often or always damp can be hard to maintain completely free of mold. Due to the age of the building it had to be inspected for asbestos before mold remediation could begin.

If you suspect you have a black mold allergy, reach out to your healthcare provider or an allergist for a diagnosis. The first step in treating a black mold allergy is to avoid it. If you have a water leak, make sure someone repairs it as soon as possible.

While you can’t prevent mold allergy from happening, you can take steps to prevent and remove mold. Molds can irritate everyone, regardless of whether you're allergic to them. But the effects are generally worse for certain groups of people who have compromised immune systems due to disease or medication.

What tests will be done to diagnose a black mold allergy?

Similarly, the duration of the one-time mold exposure matters. After all, the longer you’re exposed to mold, the more spores you will inhale. Typically, mold is not harmful, but exposure to high levels can cause symptoms that mimic a common cold. Mold can also trigger allergies or asthma symptoms in some people.

The committee learned the cost-effective option was to salvage the building and move forward with mold and asbestos remediation. Inadequate ventilation and condensation are believed to have caused mold to grow. “We had people come in and they tested to find out what kind of mold it was. Behind the drop ceiling, an extensive amount of visible mold clung to insulation and walls. The following winter, some staff and students were experiencing physical symptoms and voiced concerns about mold in the building.

The side effects of short-term mold exposure are different for each person. You’re more likely to have severe symptoms if you’re allergic or sensitive to mold. One of the earliest indicators of contamination is the appearance of growth spots on air conditioner filters. These filters, which are designed to trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, can get clogged with mold spores. Over time, when conditions are right, these trapped spores can begin to grow directly on the filter, appearing as dark, irregular patches. If these signs are observed, mold could potentially be proliferating in other parts of the HVAC system, such as in the drip pans, coils, or within the ducts themselves.

The most effective way to prevent mold growth is to monitor the humidity level in the home. For people with healthy immune systems, mold infections (a type of fungal infection) are generally not a problem. If you do have asthma or other breathing problems, and you suspect you have an allergy to mold, contact your provider. If you have any type of severe breathing problem, call 911 or go to an emergency room. You can use the appropriate household cleaners or a bleach and water solution of 1 cup bleach and 1 gallon of water. If you do your own mold cleaning, it’s best to wear protective clothing, including gloves and a respirator.

In drier conditions, the same mold might present a fuzzy or powdery appearance, as often appears on the surface of old bread. These visual and tactile properties result from the dense growth of mold hyphae (the branching filaments that make up the main body of the fungus) on the surface. Mold infestations often begin in the walls of a home, only becoming visible as the growth spreads. The first signs may be subtle bubbling, warping, or wrinkling of the paint or wallpaper. Over time, this can become more pronounced, leading to evident peeling or lifting as moisture becomes trapped between the wall and its exterior surface.

It can check for many types of allergies simultaneously and provides results in about 20 minutes. Because it can have a negative effect on health, it's important to address mold if you see it, smell it or sense it in your home. Fortunately, and often with the help of a professional, you can clean it up and create a mold-free, safe home. Your best bet is to see a doctor, even if you’re unsure your symptoms are related to mold.