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Are You A Victim of Toxic Mold?

There are so many out there being affected by mold, toxic and non. Toxic mold is so dangerous yet there is no one who seems to understand the dangers caused by the infestation of toxic mold.

Still, there are those few; the few that have to live with it day in and day out, those people out there being severely affected by toxic mold. Deadly Mold.

In the following paragraph an exerpt from a victim of toxic mold - she tells her story :

We are all across the country. Myself, not having a choice but to live in the nightmare has taken my life to destruction. Landlords have a choice whether to remediate the inhabitable home you had chose to live in.

Landlords did not tell me that I was moving into an unsafe, unhealthy apartment that would turn my life and physical health into destruction. Denial is a serious issue as we all know to well. Why don’t landlord’s have to seek professional help when they are in denial?

They are human just as we are, but are not faced with professionals telling them the toxic mold that you claim is affecting your health does not exist even though proven.

To Read the rest of this victim’s story as well as other’s visit the following :

Toxic Mold Victims

Further Recommended Reading :

• Dangerous Mold: Who Is at Risk?
• 10 Health Risks of Toxic Mold

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

How Do You Know if You’re At Risk?

If you suffer from allergies, you are probably aware of exactly what will trigger an attack. You work very hard to avoid these allergens mainly because you want to save yourself the discomfort and health complications associated with it.

However prudent they are with avoiding the things that cause their allergy attacks, not everyone who has allergies is aware of all their triggers.

The same is true of people who aren’t even aware that they are allergic to anything at all. They may find themselves having a serious medical reaction to a substance such as mold and have no idea why.

Who is Most At Risk?

There are certain individuals who are more at risk for developing complications when exposed to dangerous household mold. If you fall into one of these groups you need to be aware of your risk:

• People with allergies:

  Although this seems obvious, it’s important to consider how they are exposed to mold. People with allergies to dust will realize that mold may trigger an attack. However, what if you aren’t allergic to dust, are you safe around mold? The answer is surprising.

  Many people are allergic to mold that is ingested instead of inhaled. This means that for a person without a dust allergy they can have a serious reaction if they eat something containing mold. Foods such as mushrooms, dried fruits and soy sauce can cause this reaction.

• People with compromised immune systems:

  Our immune systems work to ward off illness and allergies. If a person has been through chemotherapy, is living with HIV or has an inherited autoimmune disease, they are more likely to react to being exposed to mold. Mold is a very strong allergen and for someone without their immune system to protect them, they can quickly develop complications.

• People with lung disease:

  Just as a person with a compromised immune system may be more prone to complications caused by mold, the same is true of those with an underlying lung problem. Mold, when breathed in, can become lodged within the lungs. For someone with a lung condition, this can lead to a worsening of their symptoms or in some cases infection.

Why Does It Matter?

Although household mold is not safe for anyone, it can lead to serious problems for a person who is at risk. Most people who are not allergy sufferers don’t consider the health complications that can occur when exposed to something like household mold.

They may step into their shower each day oblivious to the fact, that the mold that can be found there is causing them to fill ill. Even when they visit their physician they may not come away with the proper diagnosis because the doctor has no idea that mold is a problem.

It’s important to keep mold under control before it does cause a problem. Keeping your home free of excess moisture is a good start. Properly cleaning any mold build-up will also keep you and your family safer and healthier.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Identifying Dangerous Molds
• Is Black Mold Dangerous?

Joslyn from the Moldblogger Team

How Do You Know if a Mold is Dangerous?

When an inhabitant sees their environment affected by mold for the first time, it is easy to jump to conclusions that the mold is dangerous. The truth is that there are over 200 known types of mycotoxins, or toxicities released by mold.

Not all of these are dangerous, though it is unknown how many undiscovered toxins are yet to be identified. When trying to determine the seriousness of a mold infestation, the best thing to do is to look to hiring a toxic mold inspector.

Mold identification is something that should only be attempted by a trained eye.

Mycology

Mycology is the study of fungi, and only those trained in mycology should attempt to identify the mold present in a location to determine its exact type and toxicity.

Not only are inspectors trained to recognize causes, symptoms, and instances of mold, but they can provide valuable helpful information on cleaning the mold and preventing a recurrence.

Toxic mold inspections require a thorough evaluation of the premises, including mold sampling and mold testing.

It is important to remember that mold may even be present where it is not seen, and only a trained or certified mold inspector will know where to check for the growth of mold. Not only are they trained to detect mold by visual inspection, but they can also determine if mold is present by scent.

Potentially Dangerous Molds Give Off Odor

Potentially dangerous molds such as Stachybotrys, give off an unmistakable odor that is easily recognizable by mold inspectors. Most likely, those inhabiting the dwelling have smelt the odors as well.

However, to determine exactly which spores are present, the inspector will need to take a sample of the mold. Lab testing under a microscope could take from one to several weeks.

What about Toxic, Black Mold?

Stachybotrys, also known as black mold and toxic mold, is recognizable because of its color. While there are several types of mold that appear black in color, Stachybotrys is a greenish-black, flowering-type mold.

It grows rather rapidly, and is the mold you so often see on news programs featuring homes ravaged by floods. This mold is different from the green and white mold on foods, and the black mold that shows up on the shower curtain.

Toxic mold will typically show up on high-cellulose surfaces, such as paper, dry wall, wood, and ceiling tiles. Carpet and wallpaper are great surfaces for Stachybotrys to grow on.

What Does a Mold Inspector Look For?

Most important for the mold inspector is to find the source that created an atmosphere in which the mold could grow. If the source of excess water is not found, such as leaking pluming or an inefficient HVAC, mold spores will only re-infect the area once the current damage is cleaned and removed.

The only way to prevent the dangerous molds from growing is to control the moisture indoors and provide proper ventilation throughout.

By taking these measures indoors, and by controlling excess water outdoors with proper grading, building owners can help prevent the dangerous mold spores that can grow – and the health affects that they come with.

Further Recommended Reading :

• How to Test for Mold in Your Home
• 10 Health Risks of Toxic Mold

Joslyn from the Moldblogger Team

What Is Toxic Mold?

Stachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that is often known as “toxic mold,” or “black mold.” This type of mold is often more dangerous than other white molds, such as food mold.

Highly dangerous toxins are released into the air by Stachybotrys, and breathing anywhere around the infestation of mold can cause serious health risks.

There are also other dangers of living with this toxic mold, including damage to the home that can be costly to its overall value.

What are the Dangers of Toxic Mold?

Since a house doesn’t have to be subject to a natural disaster for Stachybotrys to grow, it is important for all homeowners to know the dangers of this toxic mold, so that if they suspect their house is affected, it can be dealt with immediately.

Preventing mold is the best thing a homeowner can do, and leaving a known patch to grow beyond contamination is only asking for one or more of these dangers to knock on the door of your home.

Further Recommended Reading :

• 10 Health Risks of Toxic Mold
• 7 Ways to Know if a Mold is Dangerous

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team

Are you Living in an Area with Risks of Toxic Mold?

If you are living in an area where the relative humidity is above 55%, you are very much liable to health risks caused by toxic molds.

Black Mold, also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum.

Stachybotrys Chartarum is a greenish-black fungi found worldwide that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material such as straw, hay, wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation, etc. The fungus, before drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch.

Stachybotrys is considered a toxic mold and is one of the major health risk providers.

Species of Black Mold

There are about fifteen species of Stachybotrys worldwide. Contrary to popular belief, this type of fungus does not grow on plastic, vinyl, concrete products, or ceramic tiles. Neither is it found in the green mold on bread or in the black mold on shower tiles.

The toxic mold environmental risk may be one of the next major real estate “due diligence” concerns, especially in property development areas where major flooding has occurred.

The problem is that the existence of toxic molds not only includes residential and commercial area flood incidents, but also numerous minor water releases due to plumbing failures, conductive condensation, house water leaks and accidents.

The toxic mold concern could also be a problem where fires have occurred on residential properties.

For some people, exposure to the toxic mold spores may stay just a “risk”. To others, it may be a real health hazard, with life-threatening results.

Health Risk or Health Hazard?

Whether a potential liability concern is just health risk or a major hazard, there will be paramount in defining the critical level of due diligence and disclosure response by responsible parties.

There are already several major lawsuits concerning toxic mold exposure in residential and commercial buildings throughout the United States.

The 10 most common health risks associated with toxic mold are:

1. pulmonary hemorrhage or pulmonary hemosiderosis (primarily in infants)

2. nose bleeds

3. immune system suppression (resulting in increasing numbers of infections)

4. hair loss

5. dermatitis

6. chronic fatigue

7. psychological depression

8. diarrhea

9. sore throats

10. headaches and other flu-like symptoms

Can All Toxic Mold Be Eliminated?

One of the major concerns that many experts have is that one might not be able to permanently eliminate ALL of the toxic mold from a structure.

There also remains a great propensity for future reoccurrence. It is therefore recommended that great care be exercised to remove and dispose of all products that have been contaminated by the toxic mold.

Another concern is that state’s Health Departments will consider ambiguous and genetic disposition as a response to the inquiries about toxic mold that is made by the public.

There will be some people, especially children, which will exhibit more adverse reactions than other persons exposed to the toxic mold. Some of these reactions will include death, lung tissue damage and memory loss.

This may also depend on the chemical sensitivity, genetic disposition, and predisposing health history.

Currently, most health organizations consider exposure to toxic mold a health risk and hazard. Keep in mind that most responses leading to testing, investigations, and abatement of the toxic mold are due directly to occupant complaints or documented detrimental health effects.

Liability Concerns

Toxic molds may even evolve to a point where it is regarded with the same cautions, response and liability concerns as those attributed to lead-base paint and asbestos.

Health hazards and risks associated with concern to exposure to these types of mold are currently considered as short-term effects as opposed to exposure to radon gas in houses, which is considered a long-term health risk.

The Stachybotrys fungi cannot be identified by a routine visual inspection. All black molds are not necessarily Stachybotrys. It could be non-toxic black mold.

The only method to determine the type of mold present is by sample analysis by an accredited laboratory. Also, it is important to keep in mind that the mold is only a toxic risk or hazard if a person breathes or comes into contact with the spores.

Wet mold is not an indoor air quality health risk, but there is a significant potential for the mold to dry and released into the air.

Be wary of continuous health problems you might be having. If you cannot find the cause of these problems, chances are they are not really that visible to the eyes. Toxic molds can be as risky to your health as any other environmental factors.

Further Recommended Reading :

• Understanding the Dangers of Toxic Mold
• Dangerous Mold: Who is at Risk?

Joslyn from the MoldBlogger Team