What is the danger of black mold?
However, when exposed to toxic mold, people can experience more severe symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, nervous system disorders, and even organ malfunction. Memory loss, immune system abnormalities, and even brain damage have also been reported.
The most common type of toxic mold comes from the genus Stachybotrys. Other mold genera known to cause debilitating symptoms in people include Penicillium, Chaetomium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Acremonium, and Alternaria. Some of the most common symptoms of a mold infection are sneezing, coughing, dry throat, eye and skin irritation, nasal congestion, and headache.
Where is black mold found?
This fungus thrives in damp, dark places and is often found in rooms that are not well ventilated. The attic, for example, can be subject to moisture due to possible roof leaks. When moisture enters the attic and settles on old furniture, books, or old clothing, black mold can soon grow and multiply.
The danger of black mold in this case lies in the possibility that it will become agitated at some point. If the homeowner visits the attic looking for an old suit, for example, black mold that has been thriving quietly can be disturbed, and in the process, its spores spread throughout the area.
In spaces like this, windows are often closed to protect belongings from the elements, but in reality, the situation is made worse when there isn’t adequate ventilation in the room.
If there are belongings exposed to moisture, they are barely given a chance to dry because natural air is not circulated in storage areas like attics or basements.
Black mold growth is not limited to interior areas of the home; Shrubs and other plants can also be infested with black mold, and this is evident in the gray color it leaves on the plant’s leaves. Unlike contamination in the home, however, affected shrubs can be easily cleaned by spraying them with water and perhaps wiping the leaves with a common cloth to remove the hideous gray discoloration that black mold causes.
You can also apply a fungicide that is effective at killing black mold but does not carry the danger of black mold fungicides. Even exterior siding can contain mold growth, but can be easily cleaned with detergent and water.
The danger of exposure to black mold becomes even more pronounced in people with a history of asthma. For them, even small amounts of spores that are inhaled can trigger a severe asthma attack. And we all know that severe cases cannot be cured with a simple inhaler.
People who are allergic to pollen are also vulnerable to the danger of exposure to black mold. Mold spores that enter your respiratory system can cause severe reactions that may require hospital treatment. Also, when black mold spores come into contact with the skin and eyes, the irritation can last for a long time.