1. What is mold?
A. With more than 100,000 species in the world, mold can be found everywhere. Neither animal nor plant, mold is comprised of microscopic organisms that produce enzymes to digest organic matter and spores to reproduce. These organisms are part of the fungi kingdom, a realm shared with mushrooms, yeast, and mildew. In nature, mold plays a key role in the decomposition of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Without mold, we would find ourselves wading neck-deep in dead plant matter. And we wouldn’t have great foods and medicines, such as cheese and penicillin. However, problems arise when mold starts digesting organic materials we don’t want them to, like our homes.
2. What is toxic mold?
A. There are several types of mold classified as toxic mold. Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum or Stachybotrys Atra, is probably the most infamous toxic mold. The mold by itself is not toxic, but some molds produce toxic mycotoxins. In large quantities, these spores can be a danger to human and pet health. Children, the elderly, asthmatics, and anyone with a suppressed immune system are at higher risks. Stachybotrys Arta is not the most common indoor mold, but it is not rare. It should be noted that other types of molds can be black and black mold isn’t always black. Also, the CDC (Center for Disease Control) states that all molds should be treated in the same manner.
3. How do molds grow in my home?
A. Once mold spores settle in your home, they need moisture to begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on. There are molds that can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, paints, carpet, Sheetrock, and insulation. When excess moisture or water builds up in your home from a leaky roof, high humidity, or flooding, conditions are often ideal for mold. Long-standing moisture or high humidity conditions and mold growth go together. There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
4.How do I know if I have a mold problem?
A. If you see small, white, thread-like growths or clusters of small, black dots on the walls of your bathroom or basement, or if you smell a musty odor, then you most likely have a mold problem. In some cases, mold will actually grow within the walls of a house or building, making it more difficult to detect. Some mold, however, is hidden and cannot be easily detected by our senses.
Symptoms of mold allergy include runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, fatigue, headache, congestion, sniffling, sore throat, itch eyes, and watery eyes. In children, mold allergy typically leads to recurrent respiratory infections.
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