Toxic Mold: A Growing Health Problem

Toxic mold in your home can cause a major health problem. While every home or building has its fair share of mold growing there, some houses contain mold that is toxic. Toxic mold is rare, but exposure over a period of time can be much more serious.

Which Molds Are Toxic?

Most people experience some kind of allergic reaction in the presence of mold. This usually includes runny nose, sneezing, coughing and headaches. Mold allergy is much like dust allergy, or common environmental allergies. Its symptoms resemble a cold, and it is not a major health problem.

But, lately there have been major lawsuits over mold, costing large amounts of money. The mold problem has led to buildings being destroyed and victims claiming thousands in damages. This is due to toxic mold and the health problems associated with it.

The culprits are just a few species of related toxic molds. The most common are stachybotrys mold (also referred to simply as “black mold”), aspergillus and penicillium, the mold from which Penicillin is made.

These deadly toxic molds produce spores which have mycotoxins in them. These mycotoxins are the root of these health problems.

How Does Toxic Mold Cause A Health Problem?

The mold takes root in your home, and the spores are released to the air. The spores can get into your body a number of ways, but most commonly through breathing. They can also get into your skin, eyes or stomach if eaten.

Once inside your lungs, the mycotoxins can spread throughout your damage. They kill cell tissue and can damage internal organs, skin and even your brain. They also destroy an important chemical in your nerves, which causes damage to your central nervous system.

At the present there is little medical evidence to back up for certain which illnesses are caused by toxic black mold. However, research has shown a link between toxic mold and diseases such as leukemia, kidney and liver cancer and respiratory illnesses. Evidence suggests that these mycotoxins may interfere with a person’s DNA.

The effects on the brain can be most serious. Those who are exposed to toxic mold often experience fatigue, memory loss and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. This is because of the way the mycotoxins destroy cell tissue in the brain.

Sick Buildings And Toxic Mold

Lately, there have been many reported cases of “Sick Building Syndrome.” Some old buildings have terrible mold problems, and those who work or spend lots of time in them experience a wide range of health problems. Now, companies and organizations are trying to clean up all these old buildings and remove the mold and other dangerous substances. There are also quite a few lawsuits claiming that companies have been negligent in meeting environmental safety standards.

About 1 in 4 American homes have mold problems. Although the incidence of toxic mold infestation is relatively low, it is a concern that should be taken seriously. You should always work to rid your house of mold and try to prevent its re-growth. You and your family’s health are at stake.

Toxic Mold In Walls: The Hidden Enemy

One of the toxic mold’s favorite places to grow is behind the wall. Unfortunately, toxic mold in walls is hard to find. How do you know if you have toxic mold in the walls, and what can you do about it?

Mold grows everywhere. It is important in nature for breaking down dead material and recycling nutrients. It’s not so useful when found in our homes, however, and can cause health trouble from minor allergic reactions to very serious medical conditions.

The best place for mold to grow is in a wet, warm and dark place. This is why the walls of your home are ideal. Mold can often be found growing in “hidden” places such as this, and it is difficult to find and deal with.

First, you must determine if you have a mold problem. Then, the problem must be fixed. You must remove the offending mold, and then take measures to prevent the mold from growing again. If you have mold in your walls, it may be an indication that there is a water problem in your house.

Finding The Mold

If there is mold growing somewhere that it cannot be seen, you will often smell it first. Mold has a musty, earthy smell. You may also notice that you have an allergic allergy when you enter your home, or certain parts of your home. This probably means you have mold hiding out somewhere.

Before you go poking around for mold, you must realize that disturbing the mold could cause spores to be released. These spores can get into the air and cause health problems, or contaminate other areas of the house.

If there is a water leak, or some part of your house where there has been water damage, you most certainly have mold. If you are unsure, you may wish to call a professional. Hidden mold is especially hard for homeowners to clean themselves.

Cleaning Up The Mold

Cleaning up toxic mold in walls may be a big construction job. For this reason, it is best to consult a professional. When you are dealing with toxic, or any kind of mold, you should always wear goggles and protective clothes. You do not want the mold to come into contact with anything else, including yourself.

Look for a mold specialist, who has experience in mold cleanup. Check to see if they are familiar with the EPA’s mold guidelines, and those according to the ACGIH, the American Conference of Governmental Industry Hygienists.

It’s very important to clean up the mold quickly. The presence of water causes damage to houses and lowers property value immediately. The longer you let the problem go on, the worse it will eventually be to clean up, and the more damage it will do to your home.

Deal With The Water Problem

When there is water or something wet in your home, dry it quickly. Make sure damp areas are dried completely. Water leaks in the house may come from the roof or gutters, so make sure to do regular maintenance in those areas.

Keep the humidity level of your house as low as possible. If necessary, buy a dehumidifier to run sometimes. This will reduce humidity.

Make sure your house gets plenty of outdoor air, circulation and sunshine. It’s a good idea to run the bathroom fan often, since that is where mold often builds up.

Most importantly, deal with your mold problem immediately, before things get worse.