Is the mold that it’s your house dangerous?
Mold is a much more complicated topic than it may seem to be at first glance, which is why mold remediation isn’t straightforward. But isn’t it just something that appears on old bread or dirty walls when tenants don’t keep up on their cleaning? Actually, mold is much more complex than that. In fact, it’s so complex that there are several scientists with Ph.Ds on subjects as specific as what role mold toxins play in chronic illnesses! With such a specified area of study, it might lead some people to believe that molds have all kinds of toxic properties that have only just begun to be discovered. While this is in fact true, it comes with a caveat; it’s only the case for some species of mold. But just how many species of mold are there? And how many are dangerous?
What exactly is mold? Molds are a type of fungus and members of the fungi kingdom. While many people typically equate fungi to mushrooms, the kingdom is far more expansive than that. Fungi have a different cell structure than plants and animals and generally reproduce through spores, tiny microscopic cells that can survive through harsh conditions and sometimes replicate to produce more genetic copies. This ability to easily reproduce and survive harsh conditions is why mold is so hard to get rid of for good!
How many species of mold are there?
What does mold color tell me?
Probably not as much as you might think. While horror stories are told about “dangerous black mold”, not all black molds are dangerous. In fact, most cases of harmful black mold can be traced to specific species Stachybotrys chartarum. It isn’t technically toxic itself, but produces harmful mycotoxins that some people have an allergic reaction to. However, just because a mold is black doesn’t mean that it’s Stachybotrys chartarum. With over a hundred thousand different kinds of mold, it comes in all colors; even blue!
How can I tell if I’m dealing with dangerous mold?
One way is if you notice you suddenly have these symptoms. But those symptoms don’t necessarily come from mold and could the result of something else. If you see mold and have the symptoms, then it’s more likely. Try a household mold cleaner if you have a small amount and see if it clears up the problem. If not, you may need to call a local mold removal company to safeguard your health.