black mold test

Are you concerned about black mold in the home or workplace?

Mold plays an important role in the environment. This type of fungus breaks down organic matter and it’s even used to make clothes, furniture, and building materials. However, there is also such thing as “toxic mold” which most often refers to a mycotoxin called Stachybotrys chartarum. Now, that’s not to say there is only one type of toxic mold but rather to point to the importance of black mold removal.

But what is black mold exactly or the dangers associated with mycotoxins?

Potential Health Risks Associated with Black Mold

With prolonged exposure, mold and black mold can cause health problems. Black mold produces a toxin called mycotoxin. The main difference is black mold causes more severe symptoms on your health and respiratory system.

 Black mold is usually found on porous items such as drywall, padding, paper, and carpet. Long-term exposure to this mold is potentially harmful and there are different types of black mold such as the one mentioned above – Stachybotrys chartarum.

Stachybotrys chartarum features a greenish color and releases toxic chemicals called mycotoxins into the air. These fragments are dangerous when ingested and this is especially true for those who suffer from asthma or allergies of some kind.

Studies show that mycotoxins are linked to serious health issues. When ingested, these chemicals are known to cause mutations, cancer, and general toxic effects. In fact, drug resistant mold infections are the cause of serious concern for vulnerable people and “mycotoxicosis” is now a common term that refers to mold poisoning.

Either way, black mold is present in our daily lives and the potential dangers associated with this fungus is why mold removal companies are in high demand.

Reasons Why You Should Hire a Professional Mold Remediation Company? 

If you think you might have mold in your home or at work but are not sure, the first step is to hire a mold remediation company that can perform a mold inspection with sample testing (air or swab). Within 2-3 days, you will get laboratory results of the samples tested along with a report on their findings from the inspection and an evaluation of the lab results.

After the inspection and testing, it will give you peace of mind to know if you have mold or not, if it is toxic or not, and if it is a potential health risk to you and your family. The mold remediation company you hired for the inspection will also give you recommendations and advice on mold remediation and mold removal for the affected space.

If you can visibly see the mold, you can skip the mold inspection and save your money for the mold remediation you will need from a mold removal company.

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Let’s take a closer look at some black mold symptoms!

Black Mold Symptoms That You Should Know About

While there is no concrete evidence that mold is the cause of specific symptoms, the WHO cites mycotoxins as a serious health threat. Most types of molds are also yet to be studied and evidence suggests that exposure to toxic mold should be avoided.

But how might you know if black mold is causing health problems?

Black mold poisoning is not always easy to detect because it shares the same symptoms with many other types of virus or health problems. For example, many people who have been exposed to black mold will cite problems with dry skin, coughing, and shallow breath. It’s also not possible to outline a definitive list because more research is needed when it comes to black mold symptoms in general.

– Bodily pains/aches

– Headache

– Sore throat

– Coughing

– Skin irritation

– Runny nose

– Itchy eyes

– Congestion in the nose

– Sneezing

– Tightness in the chest

– Shortness of breath

Please note the above are merely some examples of black mold symptoms.

Black mold symptoms are different for every individual. As already explained, the elderly are often affected and black mold is problematic for those with allergies or existing breathing issues. Babies and young children also have a higher sensitivity to mold and black mold since their immune systems are not fully developed yet.  This is also not a risk that needs to be taken and aside from contacting your doctor for health advice, the black mold needs to be eliminated.

How to Remove Black Mold from a Home and Building

Most people inhale mold spores every day and mold removal is the only way to eliminate this problem. If you find mold inside a building, there’s no need to perform a test and you should just want to remove this fungus to cleanse the area of fungus.

But how does a mold removal company go about this task?

There is a right and wrong way to go about mold removal and it’s possible to prolong this unwanted issue.

For instance, drywall is known to soak up moisture. Some homeowners decide to paint over the mold but this paint will eventually peel away over time. Instead, black mold should be removed from the wall and then painted afterward.

Let’s Take a Look at Some Steps for Black Mold Removal:

1. 1. Protection & Quarantine for Safe Mold Removal – It’s necessary to use the right protection for mold removal and a high-grade face mask is the first line of defense. Gloves and goggles are also recommended, and plastic sheeting is used the cordon off the area and stop the spores from spreading.At this point, a mold removal company will usually remove any items in the area which cannot be dried quickly and any items/furnishings etc. that show signs of mold.
   2. Identifying and Removing the Water Source – It’s then time to go about finding the source of the water that enables this mold to grow. This is sometimes due to a water leak but most often the result of poor ventilation and neglected areas of a building in which mold has emerged over time. Just so you know, black mold is unable to grow without moisture so removing the water source is a main priority for the mold removal company.
   3. Cleansing the Air for Better Ventilation – As explained, moisture control is key to preventing black mold and a well-ventilated house stands a better chance of remaining mold-free. Water leaks and damp areas will encourage the growth of mold and a lack of oxygen will quicken this process. Mold removal companies often use a desiccant dehumidifier to remove excess moisture in the air. Negative air scrubbing machines and HEPA vacuums are needed to remove allergens such as bacteria, fungi spores, mold spores, viruses, pollen, and dust mites. They are also effective on odors, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), vapors, and gases too.When it comes to DIY cleaning of a small area of mold, when using bleach or chemicals, make sure to wear protective gear on your hands and face with all doors and windows opened for ventilation.
   4. Scrubbing and Drying Hard Surfaces – There is no substitute to a bit of elbow grease for getting rid of mold. Clean affected area with water and detergent and make sure these same surfaces are bone dry at the end. A mold removal company uses anti-fungal coating on affected wood surfaces and porous building materials. They will sanitize, damp wipe, and surface treat with antimicrobial products all affected areas including walls, subfloors, exposed interior, studs, etc. (NOTE: Mold Removal Companies know how to take precautions during this process and avoid some potentially fatal pitfalls. It has happened that homeowners mix ammonia and bleach for the purpose of removing mold but this particular mixture creates a poisonous gas that can prove fatal – another reason to leave this job to a mold removal company.)
   5. Preventative Maintenance – While black mold treatment is recommended, the best way to avoid poisoning is by preventing this mold from growing in the first place. A mold specialist can recommend certain changes in a building to help prevent this growth in the future and ensure the local environment is free of any mycotoxins and black mold going forward.

What to Wear by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

8 Tips for Cleaning up Mold by the CDC:

Final Thoughts

For people with strong immune systems and full health, black mold symptoms may not feel so extreme. But black mold can certainly pose a danger to those with poor health or any allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues It’s also impossible to avoid the spores around us and harmful toxins when black mold is present in the area.

Either way, it’s important to remove black mold and a mold removal company is sure to eliminate the problem and protect against this fungus showing up in the future.

Now, do you need a mold removal company? Get in touch with our team.