6 Mold Species That Can Harm the Residents of Your Home
The exact number of mold species is unknown, but several types of this fungus have caused Lighthouse Point homeowners to hire a restoration contractor for mold testing services. Some mold species are perfectly harmless, some cause minor irritation, and others present a genuine hazard. Mold is inescapable because it can live nearly anywhere on Earth, but actions can be taken to reduce the amount of potentially dangerous mold in your home.
Not every mold is created equal – each type has its own traits and affects humans differently. The impact that mold has on humans depends on each person’s ability to tolerate it. Mold thrives in dark, damp locations between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Harmful molds may be allergenic (producing allergic reactions), pathogenic (exasperating acute illnesses), or toxigenic (creating a deadly hazard). If you discover mold growing on surfaces in your home, bringing in a restoration contractor to assess the mold problem is the best approach, especially if you believe that the mold is affecting your family’s health.
Types of Mold That May Be Living in Your Home
– Cladosporium – an allergenic mold that may cause rashes, sore throats, lung infections, and watery and red eyes; green, brown, or black; has a suede-like texture; develops on fiberglass air ducts, toilets, fabrics, carpet, and painted surfaces; thrives in warm and cold conditions
– Aspergillus – an allergenic mold that causes lung infections and allergic reactions; hazardous to people with weak immune systems; grows on food and in HVAC systems; identified by long chains of mold growth; appears in many colors
– Trichoderma – an allergenic mold that has five separate subspecies; usually white with green spots; has a woolly texture; found on wallpaper, fabrics, and carpet and in HVAC systems; may cause liver infections, sinus infections, and allergic reactions; contains an enzyme that rots wood, paper, and textiles
– Stachybotrys – a toxigenic mold known as “black mold”; extremely dangerous; causes diarrhea, memory loss, flu-like symptoms, coughing, nose bleeds, headaches, and respiratory complications; black, gray, or green; gives off a musty odor; grows in very damp areas and on wood, paper, and cardboard; has a slimy texture; very hazardous to children
– Chaetomium – often present in homes with water damage; causes watery eyes, nail and skin infections, breathing difficulties, autoimmune diseases, and neurological damage; changes from white to gray to brown and then black; has a cotton-like texture
– Acremonium – a toxigenic mold that begins as a small, damp mold and evolves into a fine powder; gray, pink, white, or orange; found on cooling coils, window sealants, drain pans, and humidifiers; extremely hazardous and can cause damage to bone marrow and immune systems; is a carcinogen that may hinder brain function; tends to be found with stachybotrys
Before you panic after spotting mold in your Lighthouse Point home, reach out to a reputable restoration contractor like Tri County Restoration, Inc. for mold testing. Your restoration contractor will assess and test the mold so that a method for mold removal can be suggested.
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