Black Mold!
There is a seemingly never ending set of recommendations regarding “black mold” on the internet. In this article we will discuss all things black mold! Including What is black mold and how does it grow, Where the terminology and obsession with “black mold” came from, and what to do if you suspect black mold in your home.
What is Black Mold?
Whether it’s well meaning family members or pseudo scientific internet articles, it seems that everyone is worried about “Black Mold.” I’ve heard many versions of my customers ask “Is that the black mold” or “do I have to worry about it if it’s not the black mold.” There is a wide spread misconception that mold is only harmful if it is a certain color, or even that you can determine what type of mold is in your home just by it’s color. This is unfortunately inaccurate. We cannot determine mold simply by its color any more than you can determine the make of a car by its color; although the molds most commonly referred to when saying “black mold” are; Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys. The two former are commonly found within homes with water damage and outside in the natural environment whereas the ladder is found usually only in homes, or buildings, with water damage. These molds, in high enough concentrations, are very harmful to humans and not conducive for healthy indoor air quality, but it is important to remember that any type of mold in high enough concentration is bad for your health! The question should not be “is there black mold in my house?” but rather “is their an elevated level of mold in my home?”
Genesis of the phrase “Black Mold”
The phrase “black mold” can be traced back to the beginning of the mold remediation industry. It may be surprising to hear, but substantial mold issues in buildings is a relatively new phenomena. This is due to revised building construction methods and materials that gained popularity during the energy crisis of the 70s which focused on energy conservation over “breathability” of the building material. In the early 90s some workers in a New York City library were complaining about their health. Air quality specialists discovered that the library was highly affected by Aspergillus. When they cross referenced the mold they discovered that hay infected with Aspergillus caused the death of cows on a certain farm. Further analysis of Aspergillus showed it contained harmful toxins called mycotoxins and that it causes a whole host of diseases and issues for humans including infections, pneumonia, neonatal infections, sinus infections, allergic reactions and a many other negative side effects. And thus the legend of “black mold” began! But that doesn’t mean that you should worry only about black mold. As noted earlier all mold in improper levels can be harmful to your health.
What should you do if you have black mold?
If you have or suspect black mold, or any type of mold, it may be wise to consult a Certified Mold Inspector. Black molds like Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys can be very harmful to your health and the integrity to a building. A professional mold inspector can determine the extent of mold inside of your home and recommend proper steps to remediate the issue. Try to also determine if there are any sources for mold growth in your home. Ask yourself:
1.) Do I have any roof or plumbing leaks? Sources of water are the primary source for all mold growth, including “black mold”
2.) Is my HVAC unit in good repair? When was the last time you had your HVAC system along with your ducts cleaned? Do you regularly replace your HVAC return filter? A lack of proper HVAC maintenance can cause mold issues in your home! Be sure to take proper care of your HVAC unit and ensure that you run your HVAC all year round. I can’t tell you how many times I have determined the source of widespread mold in a home is due to homeowners not running their AC in the basement or during the summer to save a few bucks!
Remember, there is nothing special about black mold! All mold can be harmful, but if your educated and stay on top of your home maintenance, you can protect your home and family from all molds! (Black included)