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Black mold grows in home areas that sustain chronic or excessive exposure to moisture. A mold that appears black is not necessarily of the toxic black mold variety. The only way to determine if a mold is of this type is to perform air and surface testing. Professional inspectors or consumer test kits are available to determine the type of mold and means of eradication. EPA approved chemicals are available and bleach is also recommended for mold elimination. The removal of black mold and spores is necessary to ensure a healthy environment.
All homes contain mold. If food is left on a surface or in a refrigerator long enough, mold will begin to grow. Some species of mold are more harmful than others. Mold spores typically die when exposed to air, but dry, dead spores can become airborne and cause a wide array of cold/flu symptoms. Black molds have been implicated in sick-building syndrome.
Sore throats Dizziness Increased irritability
Sneezing Inability to concentrate
Diarrhea Confusion
Headaches Loss of equilibrium
Fatigue Coughing
Skin rashes Memory loss
Intermittent hair loss Hemorrahge due to toxin absorption
Black mold can be present on numerous surfaces including carpet backing, cardboard, sheetrock, wood, refrigerators and shower curtains. There are numerous predisposing factors that contribute to mold growth and areas that provide telltale signs that mold could develop.
· Living in an area that consistently has humidity of 50% or higher
· Water pipe leaks or rusted pipes
· Any surface that has condensation
· Areas of the home that have been subject to flooding
· Leaky roofs
· Cracked or peeling paint
· Damp basements or crawl spaces
· Humidifier use
· Warped wood
· Loosened tiles
· Clothes dryers that are improperly or not vented
· An environment containing numerous houseplants
Positive indications of mold growth include wall stains and mildew or musty smells. Suspect mold infiltration if there is an increase in respiratory/allergy symptoms.
What else can I help you with?
Where can I get advice for removing mold?
The websites of Blackmold Award Space, Family Handy Man, and the EPA all show how to remove mold from a house. It can be accomplished by using tools such as bleach and vinegar.
Can blackmold cause lymphoma?
toxic mold can cause allergic reactions, irritation associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), invasive disease, mycotoxicosis. but there has not been proven a direct link to Lymphoma, but prolonged exposure to toxic mold can lead to serious, life-threatening problems. Really a question to the question. My son was exposed to Black Mold and ended up with Hodgkin's Lymphoma stage 3b. Took a year to be diagnosed and we did have black mold in the condo we were renting. I would love to know if there is a study out there that we could be a part of.
How To Determine If Your Health Symptoms Are Caused By Blackmold?
Locating Areas Where Black Mold May Hide When there is threat of dampness or moisture build up within your home there is the opportunity for black mold to be present. Areas such as basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages are the most susceptible to being invaded by the black mold spores. This occurs when moisture or water leaks in through cracks in the surfaces of these areas or when windows and doors are improperly sealed. When you have drywall or wood covering the wall areas it is possible for the black mold to be growing behind these areas and not be visible until the covering is removed. However, unless you are a professional and have the right protective gear this can be deadly to attempt on your own. Health Symptoms That Are Caused By Black Mold When there is black mold in and around your home you and your family have the chance of becoming very ill. Some of the symptoms that you will notice include: Respiratory ailments such as asthma or pneumonia; Coughing; Watery and itchy eyes; Headaches; Itchy skin; Redness and irritated skin patches; For people are exposed to areas of mold for extended periods of time the symptoms can become more severe. These symptoms can include: Nose bleeds; Diarrhea; Vomiting; Coughs that produce debris that contains blood or black substances; Weight loss; A loss of appetite that is unusual; Loss of hair; Open sores that are present on the skin; Short term memory loss; Disorders affecting the neurological and nervous system; Swollen glands in both the neck or armpit area; Ear infections; Sexual dysfunction; Chronic bronchitis; Chronic infections in various areas of the body; Pain in your muscles and joints. To determine if your health conditions are caused by black mold is to visit your doctor and have various medical tests performed. Most often doctors or medical professionals will use diagnostic tests like blood tests, urinalysis tests, allergy type tests performed on the skin and x-rays of the lung areas. If it is determined that your health symptoms are the result of exposure to black mold it is important to contact a professional who can remove this from your home. Do not attempt to do this yourself as the mold spores can become airbourne and cause make the symptoms worse or get into the carpets or bedding found around your home and allow for reinfestation.
