Over the last several years we have become more aware about the health risks of black mold. Black mold is a major threat to human life because of the dangers that it posses to human health. It’s no wonder that many people have sought to seek solutions to the problems that they pose to human life. There are many formulas and mechanisms that people have invented in order to deal with it because it’s a toxic substance that can have adverse effects to health as it has spores that are quite dangerous.
There are several health problems, some of which can be life threatening that are normally associated with the dangerous spores that are produced by mold. If you or a family member have been suffering from unexplained severe headaches, severe sneezing, chronic sinus infections, fatigue, dizziness and problems associated with breathing you may want to have your home tested for mold. Black mold can make you very sick and in some cases even cause death. It’s important that mold is gotten rid of as soon as it’s realized in your home.
Look for mold around wet surfaces such as bathrooms, showers, basements and kitchens. This is where it thrives. According to the CDC, “Stachybotrys chartarum (also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold. It can grow on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. Constant moisture is required for its growth. It is not necessary, however, to determine what type of mold you may have. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal”.
How do you know if you have black mold? As noted, it will appear as a greenish-black looking substance. Sometimes you can’t see it though as it can be hidden behind walls and in the insulation. This makes it even more challenging to detect. If I see a patient that has repeated infections, I will often ask them about the condition of their home environment. I will ask if they have ever had any water damage or leaking pipes. Even if you fix the pipe, if moisture was allowed to collect at all, this is an opportunity for mold to grow.
Mold is known to colonize on organic or porous surfaces. People should therefore be keen to notice it and deal with it as fast as possible so that it is not given room to thrive. Homes should be cleaned regularly and work to keep damp surfaces dry.
If the mold is caught early, it can prevent health problems down the line and the costly removal of the black mold later. When mold gets out of control, you will need to call in a professional or a mold removal company. Not that I would recommend this, but when dealing with the mold without professional help, the very first step that should be taken is switching of the heating and aeration systems. This is very important as it helps prevent the spores from being spread to other surfaces in the home. It is also advisable that an exhaust is used so as to funnel out the spores.
One other very important thing that one needs to be very careful about is that other areas in the house should be covered. A masking tape and a polyethylene sheet can be used. This step is very essential because it prevents the spreading of the mold and spores to other areas.
When the entire surface has been covered, it is advisable that the cleaning process can begin and one can use a mixture of soap and water. A disinfectant of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water may also be necessary just to make sure that all the black mold spores are gotten rid of. If it happens that the entire surface is damaged, it should be replaced. Be sure to wear a respirator mask, non-porous glove, and protective eye wear when doing this to prevent airborne spores from being inhaled into the lungs or irritating the hands and eyes. You also want to open the windows and doors to provide fresh air. If in doubt, call in the professionals.
If you have toxic black mold, get it removed before it causes problems. To reduce the risk and prevent black mold from forming, the CDC has made the following recommendations:
- Keep humidity levels as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. Bear in mind that humidity levels change over the course of a day with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so you will need to check the humidity levels more than once a day.
- Use air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.
- Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans in kitchen and bathrooms.
- Use mold inhibitors which can be added to paints.
- Clean bathroom with mold-killing products.
- Do not carpet bathrooms.
- Remove and replace flooded carpets.
Don’t wait for health problems to develop. Black mold is essentially a problem that millions of people the world over have been trying to deal with for very many years. Know how to protect yourself.
http://www.cdc.gov/mold/stachy.htm
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