A mold inspection may be a good idea if you suspect mold, or even the possibility of mold, in your home or any home you are considering buying. Mold can be insidious, hiding in locations where it can not be seen unless you know exactly what to look for. There are many types of mold commonly found in a home, and some of these are harmless or may cause allergy symptoms but nothing more, while others can have devastating effects on the health of some people and can release mycotoxins. A mold inspection can locate any mold growing hidden in your home, so that it can be tested and identified.
One common mold found during a mold inspection is Alternaria sp. This mold is very common, is distributed worldwide, and is an allergen mold, although it does produce mycotoxins that have not been thoroughly studied yet. Most people will experience mild allergy symptoms similar to hay fever, but this mold can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis if the airborne spores are inhaled. Human disease from this common mold is rare, and normally only occurs in people with a compromised immune system. This common mold shows up in a large number of mold inspections.
A mold inspection may uncover one of the one hundred and sixty species of Aspergillus mold, out of which sixteen of these species can cause diseases in humans. These molds are the most common, and can be found in a wide variety of places. The most common of this mold species is Aspergillus fumigatus, and this variety and Aspergillus niger are the two most harmful types from this mold species. This mold is considered harmful, because it can produce mycotoxins, and in elevated levels can cause many problems in humans. A mold inspection should be conducted to ensure this mold species is not present.
Aureobasidium pullulans. is another common mold that can be found in a home mold inspection. This is one of many black molds, which are slimy and unpleasant. This mold also produces mycotoxins that can cause allergies and other health problems. This mold has not been thoroughly studied yet. Cladosporium sp. is another mold that is quite common in homes in climates that are temperate. This mold does produce mycotoxins, but it is considered simply an allergen and not a pathogen unless your immune system is compromised. Both of these molds can be detected and tested during a home mold inspection.
Fusarium sp. is a type of mold found in soil, and can be found during a mold inspection in your home as well. This fungi is present worldwide, and there are several species of this mold that can be a pathogen to humans, especially for transplant patients and burn victims who have a much lower immune system. This mold can cause mycotic infections and should be professionally removed if it is found during a mold inspection. Paecilomyces sp. is another common mold, but this one is rarely responsible for serious illness in humans. This mold can cause allergy symptoms, and may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis in some people. Toxins are produced but they are seldom harmful to humans with a strong immune system.
One common mold that is found in home mold inspections is Penicillium sp., the mold that gave the world penicillin, the first antibiotic. Unlike the drug, the mold can cause serious problems in some people because of the mycotoxins created, ranging from severe allergy symptoms to keratitis, infections of the external ear, respiratory, and urinary tract, and endocarditits after valve prostheses have been inserted. One harmless mold that may be found during your home mold inspection is Rhizopus sp., and this mold can be found in soil and dust, and on decaying fruit and in the air. This mold is considered harmless, because infections caused from it are very rare.
Sporothrix sp. is one type of mold found during a home mold inspection that may or may not be harmful. This mold can be present in the air, dirt, on decaying plants, on other fungi, and on insects. It is known that this mold can cause diseases and infections in humans sometimes, but it has not been studied enough to understand it completely or know all the risks that this mold may pose. Trichoderma sp. is another common mold in homes, and can also be found in soil and in the air. One species of this mold can cause pulmonary fungus ball disease, but this is very rare and usually only occurs in people who have a compromised immune system. A mold inspection that reveals this mold should be a sign to have professional mold removal done, especially if anyone in the home has a weakened immune system.
One common mold that may mean problems if discovered during a mold inspection is Stachybotrys atra, also known as toxic black mold. This mold has been linked to many health problems, especially in the young, the elderly, and others with weakened immune systems. This mold is slow growing, and many times hides inside the walls where it grows undetected over time. Stachybotrys is normally found on things that have a high cellulose content, like ceiling tiles, drywall, and wall board, and that have suffered extensive water damage and have a high moisture content. This mold releases several mycotoxins that can be very toxic in high doses for individuals who are sensitive to mold. Stachybotrys is the most dreaded mold found during a mold inspection, and professional remediation to remove the mold may likely be necessary. This step can be very expensive and frustrating. This mold only grows when there are moisture or water problems, such as a leaky roof or a burst pipe in the wall, or flooding in the basement or crawlspace of the home.
No matter what type of mold is present, whether it is visible or hidden, a mold inspection will usually give you the information you need to eliminate a mold problem. Many common molds are considered cosmetic, simply because they are not harmful but they are unpleasant to look at, and they can be removed quickly and easily.
Latest Videos of Common Molds Found During A Mold Inspection, and Their Effects:
home-inspection
