About Toxic Mold
Mold is a microscopic organism or fungi that grows in damp environments. There are about 200,000 harmless types of mold; they pose no threat to our health. It can be found in soil, in the air, and wherever there is moisture, oxygen, and some organic matter. There are four environmental factors that must exist in order for mold to thrive. If you remove any of these items, mold would not be able to survive. Mold Spores that are circulating in the environment (Use a good filtration system on your HVAC),food (organic matter), temperature - mold likes to live in the same temperatures that people like, so our homes will usually provide a very cozy place for mold, Moisture - mold likes it wet. A humidity level of about 70% is required for most molds to grow. A handful of mold types are dangerous and they present a serious health threat if they take hold and multiply in your home. This type of mold is referred to as toxic mold or toxic black mold, and when it multiplies, it sends dangerous spores called mycotoxins into your living environment. These mycotoxins interfere with cell and DNA function, resulting in serious health problems. A few of the most dangerous molds are named: stachybotrys mold or black mold, penicillium, and aspergillus; and they have been associated with respiratory illness, skin rashes, memory problems, and brain damage. Diseases are also associated with toxic mold exposure: kidney cancer, esophagus cancer, leukemia, and liver cancer. When you combine building materials like sheetrock with moisture from a plumbing leak, you have a fertile breeding ground for mold. Even without household leaks, contemporary building practices that utilize air-tight construction and energy conservation techniques create a more fertile ground for mold to multiply, since houses such as this do not allow air to readily flow in and out. To make matters worse, modern central heating and air conditioning systems circulate mold spores very efficiently, greatly facilitating their ability to reproduce. Repair water problems quickly, measure the humidity in your home, check for water stains, clean up any mold you find, and find a good mold test from a Certified Mold Inspector.