Toxic Mold Overview

Mold is a kind of fungus that feeds on moisture and grows anyplace where it is damp or where there is decaying matter. Mold is also commonly known as Mildew. Mold by itself is not toxic, but it can become poisonous when it develops toxins, usually mycotoxins. Thus, the term - ‘Toxic Mold’.

Mold is a fungus that is found everywhere, in all parts of the world, and is not something that is seen only in the US. It is characterized by green, blue, or black patches around your home or workplace. Mold is found in the air indoors as well as outdoors. The airborne mold spores can come into homes through windows and doorways. They can also enter homes through ventilation systems, air conditioning ducts, heating systems, or any kind of system that involves intake of outdoor air.

Another way that Mold spores can enter the inner environments of a home or office, are through people and animals. Mold spores can fix themselves onto the clothing, shoes, hair, fur, etc of people and animals, and can thus be transported inside homes. Once indoors, mold spores can be deposited where there is moisture or decaying material, and this helps mold to grow and survive. The regular household mold may not be toxic, but if it starts to produce harmful toxins, then the mold can become toxic mold.

Signs of Toxic Mold

Here are some signs to look out for, which can help to ascertain whether or not you have any mold in your home or workplace.

• Stains, on the ceilings and walls, are a very common sign that indicates the presence of mold. These stains are usually blue, black, or green in color.
• If your home has a musty odor, or a lingering scent of urine, which cannot be explained, then it could be due to mold.
• Having allergies that refuse to go away despite treatment, can be a sign of mold. Toxic Mold contains allergens that are known to cause allergies in people and also various other illnesses.
• Brown, orange, or green spots and specks are also a sign of mold infestation, especially around tiles and plumbing grouts.

Handling Toxic Mold

Even though all household molds may not be toxic, it is important to remember that all types of mold can be harmful to health. Regular mold can cause allergies to certain people who are prone to such reactions, but toxic mold can be harmful to everyone. Thus it is important to control the growth of mold and rid your home or workplace from all types of mold, including toxic mold. Here are some tips to help you deal with any mold present in your home.

• Locate the mold: If you see any signs of mold in your home, toxic mold or otherwise, it is necessary to locate all the areas where any type of mold may be present. Places where mold is most likely to grow are wet basements, attics where there is a problem of a leaky roof, ceilings and walls due to leaky pipes, moist carpeting, behind and on wallpaper, and all kinds of wood products.
• Contain the mold: Once you have located the areas where mold grows, you need to contain the growth of toxic mold and stop it from spreading to unaffected areas. Mold needs moisture to grow, so you should try and stop its supply of moisture. Fix all leaky pipes and taps and ensure that there is no seepage of water behind your walls or in bathrooms.
• Kill and remove the mold: Toxic mold is a living organism and has to be killed to be destroyed. Spraying and fogging with mold destroying sprays is a good way to kill mold. Once the mold is destroyed, you have to remove the dead mold as even that can cause health problems. The area from where the mold is removed should be thoroughly dried and all supplies used to clean the toxic mold should be discarded.

This whole process of locating, containing, killing, and removing the mold can be a very complex task. Thus, it is best to avail the services of professional toxic mold removers, who can effectively remove all traces of mold from your premises.

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