What Is Allium Aspergillus Black Mold On Onions?

Have you ever seen the wet, black stuff that grows on onions sometimes? You know that it’s something bad, and that you should toss the onions as soon as possible, but do you know what it is?

This stuff is a type of black mold that grows on onions, called “allium aspergillus” or “aspergillus niger.”

It usually starts in areas where the onion is bruised or injured, and can grow on any part of the onion, like the bulb or the stem. Allium aspergillus is a major problem for onion growers and it toxic if eaten.

Most often, the mold starts between the different layers of the onion, and grows outward. The mold will give the onion a wet, water-soaked appearance. In the later stages of its development, the onion will become shriveled, withered and dry.

Black mold on onions thrives in warmer climates, such as Southern California or Florida. Even though mold is associated with humid climates, black mold on onions is a particular problem in desert areas where onions are grown.

Allium aspergillus mold can start either while the onion is in the field, or during storage. The onions can pick up the mold from dead matter in the soil. In the case of storage, the mold can be the result of too much humidity in the area where it they are stored.

Allium aspergillus is related to aspergillus niger, which is a common household airborne mold. So, you should never eat onions that appear to have black mold.

Black mold on onions is generally a problem for those who are growing or harvesting onions. You should be particularly aware of mold problems if you are growing onions. Onions with the disease rarely make it to the table.

However, if you do find an onion on your plate with black mold, you should leave it alone. Like other vegetables that develop mold, it should be thrown away immediately.

If you eat an onion that has allium aspergillus or another kind of black mold, you may experience typical mold exposure symptoms like a headache or fatigue. Some people who have eaten raw onions have experienced symptoms similar to those of mold exposure.

If you are harvesting your own onions, you should make sure to store them in a warm, dry place for curing, and a cooler place for storage. The most common cause of black mold on onions is humidity during storage. Make sure that the building where you are curing them is dry.

The temperature for storing your onions should be from 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Definitely, make sure it is not over 55 degrees. Most importantly, make sure it is a dry place.

In handling your onions, be extra careful to avoid bruising. Areas of bruising are the best for mold to grow, so the fewer bruises the better.

During growing, fungus control pesticides will help reduce allium aspergillus growth on onions, but not particular pesticide has been found to be particularly effective against it.

What Is That Black Mold Growing On My Shower Ceiling?

That black mold is a natural process by which dead matter is broken down and recycled into the environment. It is natural, but it is not healthy for you. When this natural process occurs in your shower, it is unsightly and potentially harmful to your health. Exposure to mold can lead to major health problems and be a big pain in the neck to mold allergy sufferers.
This black or gray mold is common in bathrooms and basements. It is a certain type of mold that grows on materials such as ceiling tile, wood, cardboard and insulation. It thrives in the humidity of your bathroom. If you live in a humid climate, your steamy bathroom is a great place for mold to grow.

Most species of black mold are non-toxic. The mold that grows in the shower is not as bad as some mold that can be found in basements, crawlspaces and heavily water-damaged areas.

However, continual exposure may cause health problems, especially to those who have asthma. Through exposure to black mold, you can develop an allergy to it. You should clean up that black stuff as soon as possible and keep it from coming back.

The best way to get rid black shower mold is to use anywhere from a cup to a gallon of bleach mixed with warm water. Then wash the area with a good detergent. This may not totally get rid of the black discoloration, but it will kill the mold. If you can, it is best to repaint or re-tile the surface if the damage is severe.

It is important that whenever you are dealing with mold, you protect yourself. You should wear a face mask and rubber gloves, and be careful about what touches what. Another idea is to make sure the room has good ventilation. Good ventilation will also help prevent future mold problems.

If you know that you are allergic to mold, or are allergic to any cleaning products commonly used, don’t do it! Get somebody else to do the mold clean-up. When you are cleaning, if you get a headache or have difficulty breathing, stop and take a break. If you have a lot of mold to clean up, do it in short intervals.

If the bleach and detergent cure doesn’t work, you may have a more serious species of mold growing in your bathroom, and it may require a specialist to get it out. In general, if it doesn’t go away with bleach and detergent, assume that it may be toxic and avoid it. Toxic molds, which are not nearly as common, may lead to more serious health problems.

If you have recurring mold problems in a certain part of your house, such as the shower, you can guy a humidity sensor for as low as $20. If the humidity sensor shows the room’s relative humidity to be 55% or over on a regular basis, you’ll need to get a dehumidifier to prevent continual mold problems.

Testing Toxic Mold In Schools:  A Serious Issue

One of the most dangerous places for toxic mold to grow is in schools.  Many school buildings are old and moldy, and some were built at the time when building regulations were not so strict.  We’ve all heard about asbestos in old buildings.  Toxic mold poses a terrible health risk to kids that are exposed to it.  It is important that there is toxic mold testing in schools.

Mold is a problem in nearly every home, but there is also toxic mold.  A very small percentage of household mold is toxic.  It is fairly easy to remove mold from the home, and quite rare that a mold infestation would be severe or cause serious health problems.  But, buildings are an entirely different matter.

The most common toxic mold is stachybotrys.  Most cases of health problems from mold involve this species.  Probably the most famous case was of a school in South Carolina where the kids had to be evacuated and parts of the school classified as toxic waste!  The entire operation cost $1.9 million and made headlines across the nation.

Since this case, toxic mold in schools has become a hot issue.  Testing toxic mold in schools has become a commonplace procedure.  However, it is difficult to measure how much mold is in a building.  In order to find mold, we must go out looking for it.

Here are some places to look:

-Wet carpets or stained ceilings.  Look for any area that has been water damaged.  This is the place where mold likes to grow best.  Discolored ceiling tiles are a pretty good sign that you have mold.  Make sure that areas that become wet are dried quickly and completely.

-Moldy smell.  Mold has an earthy, musty smell.  If you notice a musty odor in certain parts of the school, especially bathrooms, showers or other humid places, you should look here for mold.

-Humidity.  Even in dry parts of the country, you have to keep an eye on the humidity.  It should always stay below 60%.  Be especially careful about showers, bathrooms and other especially humid areas.

-Under, above and behind things.  Think about where mold can easily grow, in warm, humid or dark places.  This often means behind blackboards, under carpets, behind tiles and even behind furniture.  These are the ideal places for mold, especially in humid climates.

-Around plants.  Plants are a breeding ground for molds.  They must be watered and kept moist.  Check the leaves and also the soil to make sure you do not have a mold contamination problem.

-Painted-over stains.  Sometimes ugly, water-damaged walls have been painted over to make them look better.  Where tiles have been replaced you also may find mold.  In many cases the problem has been “fixed” by repainting or replacing parts.

Small mold problems can be fixed by looking for the mold and washing the area with soap or mold remover.  For bigger jobs, you must call a professional.  This is expensive, but in the long term it will save money.  Replacing roofs costs a lot more!

Once the mold is removed, the building must be kept as mold free as possible.  This means routinely checking trouble spots for mold, making sure the humidity is under control, keeping the building dry and well-ventilated, and cleaning up quickly.

Toxic mold in schools is a major health risk as well as a giant financial problem for already cash-strapped school districts.  This is why it is a concern for everyone.  Testing for toxic mold in schools should not be taken lightly.