Are All Black Molds Toxic? Professional Mold Consulting in Basalt, CO Can Help Answer This Question

If you have ever had to deal with mold growth in your home, you are well aware of how ugly it looks and how gross it smells. Luckily, most people have only had to clean off small spots or corners of walls covered in little pink or dark colored mold dots, usually found growing in bathrooms with a lack of ventilation. Unfortunately, some folks will have toxic mold growing in their homes.

The most common type of toxic mold is black mold. But this begs the question, are all black molds toxic? Let’s ask a professional in the business of mold consulting in Basalt, CO to answer this question.

Toxicity and mycotoxins

The more common name for stachybotrys chartarum is “black mold,” but it is also used to refer to toxic black mold. It is the most widely known toxic mold because, given the right conditions, it can grow in houses and other inhabitable structures. But what makes black mold a toxic mold is its ability to produce toxins called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can cause terrible health issues in the people who are exposed to it—and inhaling the toxin is virtually unavoidable when it exists in your living environment.

Making things more confusing is the fact that mycotoxins are not always produced when black mold is present. And toxic mold is not always black, as it can come in many colors. Adding to the confusion is the fact that black mold is not always toxic—you need to get a professional mold consultant to perform a test to confirm if your home has black mold, toxic black mold or another type of mold. In short, it’s important that you get rid of the mold, no matter the color or odor it gives off, but you should always leave black mold removal to the experts.

Conditions that cause toxic black mold growth

Toxic black mold thrives in warm, moist conditions and is found in many countries throughout the world. Typically, it grows out of sight in homes and needs a lot of moisture and time before it begins to grow. For example, toxic black mold loves water leaks that are hidden inside walls, ceilings and floors. Outside, toxic black mold grows in soil and around plant debris.

Toxic black mold symptoms

If there are mycotoxins in black mold, then it is a toxic black mold. People exposed to toxic black mold will experience some or all of the following unpleasant symptoms:

• Sudden or gradual respiratory problems
• Regular unexplained tiredness or nausea
• Minor to severe skin inflammation
• Irritated mucous membranes
• Ruptured blood vessels (hemorrhage)
• Mental impairment that may be coupled with confusion
• Damage to any number of their internal organs

As a homeowner, you may have questions regarding mold on your property. This is where professional mold consulting in Basalt, CO comes into the picture, as an expert will be able to properly inspect and analyze your entire property. If you would like to speak with a mold consultant today, give us a call at HealthSafe Inspections Inc. We are here to answer your questions. Contact us to schedule an appointment for mold testing.

Categorised in: Mold

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