Black Mold: What It Is and How to Prevent It

Stachybotrys chartarum is a type of greenish black mold that grows in moist humid areas, like those that have been damaged by water or flood. This mold type is commonly referred to as toxic mold or toxic black mold. However, not all black mold is of the Stachybotrys type. Exposure to Stachybotrys causes symptoms that are similar to exposure to other kinds of mold. However, there is no research that proves Stachybotrys causes severe health problems in humans.

How Black Mold Affects People

Healthy people normally do not suffer adverse health effects from exposure to common molds. People with allergies, asthma or weak immune systems are usually the ones who experience adverse reactions from exposure to black mold. Typical symptoms are flu like symptoms and skin rashes.

There is a wide range of how people are affected after being exposed to black mold. Pregnant women, infants and the elderly are always at a higher risk for adverse reactions. The group of individuals with the highest risk factors for a severe mold reaction are people with suppressed immune systems, those who are suffering from auto immune diseases, chemotherapy patients, recipients of organ or bone marrow transplants and those with HIV.

Preventing Black Mold

If mold is present in your building, you must take steps to contain the mold and eliminate it. The first step is to correct the moisture problem. Your moisture problem can be the result of water seepage, a leaky pipe or poor ventilation. Whatever the problem, it must be fixed or the mold will return. Clean up the mold using basic safety precautions. This includes wearing gloves, eye protection and using a mask/respirator. If the mold appears on a small area, clean it with strong detergent and hot water. If you have any doubts about how safely you can clean up mold because you are concerned about your risk factors for having an adverse reaction, consult your physician.

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