You might have heard the words, “toxic mold” and may be wondering what it is and if you have anything to be worried about, so we thought we’d do a blog post on this type of mold.
According to Wikipedia: “The term “toxic mold” refers to molds that produce mycotoxins, such as Stachybotrys chartarum, not to all molds. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death. Prolonged exposure, e.g., daily workplace exposure, can be particularly harmful.”
Toxic mold, or mold that produces mycotoxins, grows in warm and moist places in homes and workplaces.
How Do I Know If I Have Toxic Mold In My Home?
A musty smell is a sign that you have mold growing in your home, even if you haven’t seen it. There are also other health-related signs that you might have toxic mold growing in your house, for example, you might have a chronic cough or other respiratory-related problems, such as asthma. You might have a rash on your skin which is an allergic reaction to the mold. Or, you might be having trouble focusing; toxic mold affects concentration and even causes memory loss. You might also feel tired and weak all the time.
Other, more obvious, signs of toxic mold are discoloring of your walls or stains on the walls, some of which might not be clear to the untrained eye, but a mold removal specialist will know what they are immediate.
If you suspect that you have any type of mold growing in your home, the best thing to do is call in a professional mold removal expert to inspect your house.
What Causes Toxic Mold In Your House?
Mold spores are found all around in the environment, therefore they can enter a building in a number of ways – through the door or windows or attached to people or pets. Once they are indoors if they find a warm, moist spot they will thrive.
How Can I Prevent Toxic Mold From Growing In My Home?
Like with all other types of mold there are a number of things you should do to prevent toxic mold from growing in your home. It is important to keep toxic mold away thus ensuring the health of your family, especially if you have a family member that suffers from allergies. You can read here about 15 things you can do to prevent mold growing in your home.
If you already have toxic mold in your home, have a professional remove it before taking these steps.
We’d Love To Help You
If you are concerned that you might have toxic mold in your home, give our experts a call and we’ll send our team out to inspect your home.