Black Mold Health Effects and Remediation Tips

The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.

It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

What is Black Mold?

Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold or toxic black mold, is a type of micro fungus. It is found in soil, but presents a serious health hazard when detected in building materials caused by damp or water-damage.

Molds reproduce by microscopic spores that are invisible to the human eye. Mold may start growing in the house when its spores land on wet surfaces. All types of mold require water or moisture to grow.

Symptoms caused by black mold presence

Long term exposure to black mold is harmful to health and may cause a range of symptoms including:

• Headache
• Lethargy
• Tight chest
• Fatigue
• Wheezing
• Congestion
• Dizziness
• Burning eyes or watery eyes
• Sinus difficulty
• Flu-like symptoms

Black mold produces allergens, irritants and, toxic substances known as mycotoxins.

How can black mold affect your health?

Mold can cause many health problems including:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Infection
• Irritation (mucus membrane & sensory)
• Toxicity
• Dermatitis
• Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF)

Black mold exposure can cause a person with asthma or a respiratory allergy to worsen the symptoms of the existing conditions.

How should mold be cleaned?

Clean mold as soon as it is detected. If there is mold in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix the water problem.

If you clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back.

Tips on how to get rid of mold

• • Increase the ventilation by running a fan or opening a window while showering
  • Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely
  • Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely
  • Threw away damaged materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet as the mold may be impossible to remove completely from some materials.
  • Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to peel
  • Clean and repair roof gutters regularly
  • Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation

Tips on how to get rid of mold

• Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly
• Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity.
• Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.
• Increase air temperature to help prevent condensation and humidity
• Use exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher or dishwashing, etc.
• Consult qualified professionals for large mold problems