What is black mold?
Black mold is known more technically as Stachybotrys Chartarum and it is a type of fungus. It has a greenish black color, and if you were to touch it then you would see that it had a slimy texture; dont touch it though. It can be sometimes difficult to determine black mold from other types of mold so it is always best to treat all mold suspiciously.
Is black mold dangerous?
Yes black mold has been associated with a whole host of health problems. In many instances the cause of sick building syndrome has been found to be mold. Mold should never be treated as a harmless guest.
How can black mold affect my health?
There are many ways that mold can affect you health. If the mold is toxic it can cause things like headache, nausea, fatigue, and other symptoms. It can cause you to have allergic responses. If you have any breathing problems, such as asthma, it can make these problems worse. If your immune system is in anyway compromised then this mold could cause you to get an infection.
Is there an association between black mold and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
Yes, there has been some evidence to suggest that
black mold may play a part in SIDS. Apparently the mold gets into the infants cot mattress and mixes with chemicals there to produce a toxic gas.
Is there an association between it and miscarriage?
There is some evidence to suggest that black mold could lead to miscarriage.
How do I know if there is black mold in my home?
You will need to search your accommodation thoroughly. It helps if you know the places where mold likes to make its home; damp places. Mold needs moisture and dead organic material in order to grow well so when you find these conditions then you are likely to find this dangerous nuisance. The most common places for finding mold is in attics and basements.
What should I do if I find mold?
The most important thing is to act fast. You dont want to give mold an opportunity to take hold; people have needed to spend a fortune fixing mold problems because they left it too long. If you have a lot of mold then the advice is that you get in some professional help; this could actually save you money in the long run.
