Common Causes of Mold and the Types That Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

There’s mold in the air around us. The miniscule spores – invisible to the naked eye – float through the air waiting to settle down and consume. Mold has been on the planet for millions of years now. It will be here long after we’re gone. However, right now, mold does not belong in your home. The moment you spot mold, you’re on the clock. Waiting too long could mean the situation worsens. Your health and home will be negatively affected. It’s hazardous to your health. The answer? Professional mold remediation.

Common Causes of Mold

Mold needs a few things to grow in your home. These include:

• Mold spores in the air
• A viable food source (wood, drywall, etc.)
• Darkness
• Warmth
• Oxygen
• Moisture (water leaks, humidity, etc.)
• Time (mold requires around 48 hours under the right conditions)

The key here is moisture. Without moisture, mold cannot grow, since the other conditions are always present in the home. As such, when you’re dealing with a water leak or flood damage, you want to get the mess cleaned promptly. The sooner, the better. Within 48 hours of water damage, moisture, or humidity, mold will begin to grow and spread.

Hazardous Types of Mold

It’s well known that mold causes a number of negative health effects. The majority of these are focused on the respiratory system. However, certain types of mold tend to be worse than others. Some are highly toxic and lead to long-lasting health conditions. Most often, children, seniors, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions are most at risk for mold exposure.

These are a few of the most hazardous types of mold:

• Acremonium – Acremonium is a type of toxigenic mold that begins as a moist mold and ultimately turns into a fine powder. It is often pink, grey, orange, or white in color; grows in households with moisture; is often quite dangerous, leading to immune system and bone marrow diseases.
• Alternaria – Alternaria is an allergenic mold known for its velvet-like texture and dark green or brown hairs. It grows in any area with dampness – usually showers and underneath the sink – and causes upper respiratory tract issues.
• Stachybotrys –  Stachybotrys, or black mold, is a toxigenic type of mold known to cause allergic reactions and worsening respiratory conditions before long. The texture is generally slimy and its color is usually dark green or black. The symptoms of Stachybotrys include persistent coughing, fever, painful headaches, and respiratory disease.

Over time, toxigenic and allergenic molds can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, various forms of cancer, and even death.

At the first sign of mold, contact Restoration 1 of Mohave County for top-rated mold remediation. Call us now at 928-235-4193!