Mould is everywhere. Your home mustn't be full of standing waters to get moldy. Even in a clean house, it's impossible to remove. Anytime you open a window or step outdoors, mold can enter via the atmosphere or cling to your clothes and shoes. Once inside, it can spread throughout the walls, carpets, upholstery, ceilings, and more. The reality is mold is good at reproducing wherever there is moisture; mold has existed for millions of centuries and has picked up some tricks along the road.
Mold's Effects on Your Health
A common misconception about molds is that they're not harmful. If you know how to identify them correctly, you'll find that they aren't very dangerous. They do pose a risk to people with certain medical conditions, however, so it's essential to learn what kinds of molds exist and where to avoid them. Molds grow best on damp surfaces such as soil, decaying vegetation, and moist wood. Most indoor molds belong to one of two groups: black molds and white molds. Black molds include Stachybotrys chartarum, Cladosporium herbarum, and Penicillium chrysogenum. White molds include Aspergillus fumigatus, Eurotium amstelodami, and Trichoderma harzianum. Both molds produce spores that can enter your body through inhalation or ingestion. Once inside the body, these spores germinate into hyphae, penetrating tissue and organs. Some molds also release toxins called mycotoxins, which damage.
People who don't suffer from allergies or asthma may not be immune to the health risks associated with mold exposure. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people who live in houses with moldy walls and ceilings can develop similar symptoms, including nasal blockage and coughing fits.
The CDC also points out a potential link between early mold exposure and the development of childhood allergies.
What Does It Look Like?
Mold is a fungus that looks similar to its mushroom cousin. It grows outdoors in decaying materials like leaves and logs. Indoors, it likes damp conditions like bathrooms and basements.
According to the CDC, the most common indoor mites are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. However, black mold, or Stachybotrys atrium, is sometimes found in houses and other buildings. This greenish-black growth can develop on fiberboard, papers, dust, and lint, particularly in areas that may have previously been flooded or experienced different kinds of moisture damage. While black mold can look frightening, the CDC states that Stachybotrys atramore is not any more dangerous than other varieties of mold.
What Does Mold Smell Like?
There is no one best way to detect mold. It depends on the type of mold and where it's located. Some types of mold may be odorless. Others may have a strong odor similar to that of decaying wood. And others may produce gases that cause headaches or nausea.
Molds produce VOCs when growing, but we don't know precisely what these VOCs are doing to us. We know that if you breathe them in, you may experience various unpleasant side effects.
How To Test for Mold
Remove the item immediately if you can see it or detect any odor. It doesn't matter whether the source problem is visibly rid of it!
It isn't possible to eliminate mold from your house, but you can keep it under control by keeping any wet or moist surfaces clean and repairing any leaky pipes.
There are no federal guidelines regarding the presence of molds in homes, so people cannot check whether an apartment building complies with local laws. Also, the tests can be pretty costly.
When Should You Call an Expert?
If the moldy spot is small—less than three square feet—you can probably clean it yourself. The CDC recommends wearing a mask when cleaning mold, using a disinfectant spray containing at least 60 percent alcohol, and washing hands thoroughly after removing the decay. You can then use a diluted household cleaner to remove the mold.
As there are nono federal guidelines for mold, the CDC recommends looking for a specialist affiliated or accredited by the National Environmental Health Association, the American Industrial Hygienist Association, the Institute of inspection, cleaning and restoration certification, or the American Council For Accredited Certification. If there is no visible or smelly mold, but you think there might be, you can also ask an expert to look for the source of the problem. You could also hire an expert if the damaged area is more significant than three feet by three feet.
If you notice any signs of mildew, molds, or mustiness in your house, it's essential to act quickly before they spread. Luckily, and often with the assistance of professionals, you can remove them from your home.
