Mold is a common name for various species of fungus. You might have seen them on leftover pizza slice, bathroom tiles, storage boxes, or other dark and damp places of your house. They can come in many different forms with a wide range of color. Not all types house mold are dangerous, some are also used for the wellbeing of mankind, i.e. medicinal purpose. However, certain types of molds can be harmful and therefore, need proper remediation. Molds can be broadly classified into three groups.
Classification of House Mold
It’s not possible to see a house mold with naked eye. All that you can see dark patches or spots on various surfaces. They can vary in shape, color, and size. Some broad categories of house mold include:
- Allergic Molds – As the name suggests, this type of house mold trigger allergic reactions in human as well as animals. Symptoms can vary from person to person, but allergic molds mostly have minimal threat.
- Pathogenic Molds – This type of house mold is less common than allergic molds, but can have more severe symptoms. The effects can be more prominent in individuals having weak immune system due to certain medical conditions.
- Toxigenic Molds – If you suspect toxigenic mold in your house, then it’s something to worry about. However, the incidence of this type is very less as compared to previous two types. Insidious black mold is the most frequently quoted example of toxigenic mold.
The level of toxicity or potential threat to human health can’t be determined just by looking at the type of house mold. Toxigenic mold doesn’t mean that they are the most toxic ones. They are named just because of the mycotoxins produced by them. There are certain other factors that play a crucial role in determining mold toxicity, which include but are not limited to extent of contamination, individual’s sensitivity, and duration of exposure.
What is Black Mold?
Scientifically known as Stachybotrys chartarum, insidious black mold is the most toxic house mold. Toxic molds often produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins which can be fatal if consume by humans or animals. These metabolites can be fatal if inhaled, consumed, or absorbed by living organisms.
Physically, it appears as black or dark green spots with slimy texture. You may notice them in basements or other dark, humid, and damp places of your house. Burning sensation in respiratory tract, cough, chest infection, nose bleeding, pulmonary bleeding, fever, fatigue, and neurological issues are some common symptoms in a person who might inhale spores of black mold.
How to Prevent House Mold?
Different types of fungicides are available in the market to deal with house molds. These solutions can be really effective in controlling molds growth, but a good time should be invested in searching out the best fungicide. If the growth still continues, you must go for professional mold remediation service. In this situation, PuroClean of Rochester Hill can be a good choice as their team not only clear all mold from your property but also cater the cause of house mold.
