Stachybotrys Mold

Stachybotrys mold can be a serious problem if it is growing in your home. There are thousands of mold species, and many of them are harmless, but this is not the case with Stachybotrys mold, also known as black mold or toxic mold. This mold may also be called Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra, and it can cause serious and even fatal health problems in some people when they are exposed to these mold species. Stachybotrys mold has frequently been in the news, because it is one of the most dangerous molds around and can be the cause of many health problems. The appearance of this toxic mold is black and slimy, and it is commonly found outside but usually can not grow in your home. Under certain conditions though, such as flooding and water leaks resulting in water damage to building materials and other items, Stachybotrys mold can grow and even thrive in your home. The mold itself is not harmful, the problem occurs when certain people come into contact with, inhale, or ingest the mycotoxins that are secreted by the mold.

Not all types of black mold are Stachybotrys mold, or even toxic. Some black molds may be harmless, and have no effects on humans at all. If the mold present in your home is of the Stachybotrys species, the result can be serious health problems for many people, even some which are healthy and have no medical conditions or lowered immune systems. Exposure to this mold in small doses can result in neurotoxic effects which are mild and may include: nausea, headaches, pain in your joints and muscles, muscle cramps, fatigue and lethargy, memory loss and an inability to concentrate normally, skin rashes, and a suppressed immune system. Large concentrations and long term exposure to the Stachybotrys mold can cause severe medical illnesses and conditions. These can include: nosebleeds, internal bleeding, hemorrhaging, brain damage, kidney and liver damage and failure, problems with many systems in your body such as the nervous and circulatory systems, and even death if the exposure is severe enough or you are sensitive to mold.

Stachybotrys mold needs specific conditions to grow and thrive. Large amounts of moisture and water are needed to provide the right environment for this mold. Mold is prevalent in homes and basements that experience flooding or which have water problems from leaks and other repair issues. Another way that conditions may become ideal for this type of mold to grow is in areas where condensation may form because warm air and cool air meet, such as windows and doors that lead to the outside. If you see visual areas of black mold, smell any odors that can indicate mold growth, or have signs of water damage or moisture collection in areas of your home, you should test for Stachybotrys mold, as well as other types of mold that can pose a health risk to you and those you care about.

If testing reveals the presence of Stachybotrys mold contamination in your home, mold remediation needs to be done. Because of the risks posed by this mold species, and other toxic molds as well, you should have a professional come in and perform the remediation to guarantee it is done properly and safely. In large areas that are contaminated with these harmful molds, professional cleanup is the only option to protect not just you and your family, but also neighbors and others in the area of your home. If small areas are contaminated by Stachybotrys mold, it may be possible for you to do the cleaning and removal as long as you wear the proper protective equipment. Equipment includes; respirator masks, goggles, and gloves to protect you from accidental exposure. Any soft or porous materials that are contaminated must be removed and thrown away, and all hard surfaces should be treated with a solution of one quart of water that has had one fourth of a cup of bleach added. This solution will kill the mold, and then soap and water can be used to scrub the mold off of the surface after the bleach solution is rinsed off.

Home mold testing kits can be a terrific resource if you are worried about Stachybotrys mold in your home. Home mold testing kits will allow you to take samples and submit them for mold detection and identification at a lab. One company that offers reliable and accurate home mold testing kits is Olympian, and they also offer mold inspections by a certified mold inspector if you live in New York, New Jersey, and the surrounding areas.

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