Mold is a substance that is found in a lot of homes and people are typically always concerned about the mold in their houses. This blog post will provide reasons why mold is dangerous for health and home structure and provide some tips on how to protect yourself and your home from the mold.
Mold is a word that is thrown around a lot these days, but what does it mean, exactly?
Molds are a natural part of our environment and are constantly decomposing organic materials outdoors, such as leaves, wood, soil, etc. Molds are ubiquitous, meaning they are found everywhere in outdoor and indoor environments. For instance, Mold could be found in the food that you eat, the air that you breathe, and even the walls of your home.
Some molds like different environmental conditions. Some mold like cold (check in the back of your refrigerator), and some like hot environments. Different types of mold also like wet conditions and some like somewhat dry.
Molds, like all living things, need various things to grow and survive.
- They need organic materials like drywall, wood, carpet, paper, etc.
- Time: Usually 48-72 hours.
- Temperature – generally the same temperature that we like.
- Low airflow.
- Water – is the main ingredient for mold growth.
The route of exposure to molds is through inhalation or breathing in spores and hyphal fragments. Moreover, some fungi under certain conditions can release Mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are complex chemical toxins that can be inhaled, ingested, and absorb thru the skin which are incredibly harmful to humans and animals. One of the most toxic and dangerous mycotoxin producers is Stachybotrys.
Stachybotrys (black toxic mold) is a hydrophilic mold that loves to grow on continuously wet drywall and other low-nitrogen building materials. It’s a slow grower and is sticky due to the mucous enzyme it produces. Generally taking between 7-12 days.
It can cause several health problems including headaches, fatigue, and allergic reactions. Molds are also associated with the development of asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems. Molds can also cause vast structural damage to your building.
Mold remediation is the process of removing mold and restoring the area to its natural, healthy state. The health of the individual and the quality of the air in the area is the top priority. Remediation is typically done by professionals and it is best to contact a professional for help with mold.
We hope you enjoyed our blog post about why you should avoid mold. We appreciate the attention this topic has received and want to make sure that you are aware of the dangers that it poses. Mold can be found in a variety of places in your home, but luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent these spots from becoming moldy. We want to make sure people are aware of the dangers that mold poses. Please feel free to reach out to us at (818)-688-6288. Thank you for reading, we would love to hear from you!