There are numerous types of molds, some varieties of mold are toxic, and some species are harmless. Toxicity varies between species and what kinds of mold are found in specific environments and those conditions. One thing they all have in common is they can make you sick. Some are worse than others, but they can make you sick. It’s hard to understand how something black or green and gross can do that, but it’s what you don’t know that causes you to be sick.
Mold is a living organism. It’s not like you and me, but rather a fungi that grows under certain conditions. It can resemble something fuzzy, slimy, or slick looking, and it depends on where it’s growing as to the color and features you’ll see. No matter what you see and where it’s at, it’s gross and needs to be dealt with immediately. The reason is that the more time you spend in an area infected by mold, the better chance you have of becoming ill.
Symptoms of Mold Toxicity
When you’re ill, and mold is the reason, you’ll have no energy, it may hurt to breathe, you may struggle to breathe, and you may have skin irritations. These symptoms all depend on the type of mold you’re exposed to and the duration you spend exposed to it. The longer you’re exposed, the worse your condition will be and the complications you may have because of it. While the type and length of exposure are factors in your condition, there are other factors as well.
Where Is Toxic Mold Found?
Mold is most commonly found in buildings, but that’s not always the case. Depending on the environment and conditions outdoors, it’s possible to find mold there as well. If you find a pile of wood or leaves sitting around for an extended period and the pile has been exposed to moisture, there may be mold. You may also find mold in vehicles, in greenhouses, and outbuildings that have been exposed to moisture and have had a lack of sunlight.
Dealing With Mold
Dealing with mold is a must, whether you’re preventing sickness or trying to overcome it. If you can’t hire someone to help you deal with it, you need to protect yourself so that you don’t increase your exposure. To do this, you need to cover all parts of your body, so you don’t have your skin exposed. You need to wear heavy-duty gloves that must be disposed of when the job is done. You also need to wear a mask to prevent you from breathing the air around the mold. Spores are airborne, but they become more airborne when disturbed, so it’s best to protect your nose, eyes, lungs, and skin from this added exposure.
Once the area has been cleaned of the mold and the things that caused it, you need to clean the area. This will depend on where the mold was as to how you clean it. If it was a floor or counter area, you could clean it with bleach. If it was outside, it’s probably as clean as it will get if you can’t clean it with bleach, like a car seat or floor. You’ll want to consider removing that item and replacing it.
Mold can be deadly if it’s not removed and treated immediately. Being sick from mold exposure can cause you trouble for the rest of your life, so it’s best to fix the problem and consult a doctor to be treated for the illness. The sooner you catch and fix the mold problem, the better off you will be.
About MoldStar Remediation
Since 2009 our team of air quality professionals have provided Atlanta and the surrounding areas top level professional mold removal and air quality testing services. Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment and stays up to date with the latest methodologies and industry standards.
Our founder, Jeremy Shelton, holds a certification in Water Damage Restoration as well as a certification for Applied Microbial Remediation through the IICRC. In addition, he also holds a certification as a Certified Microbial Consultant through ACAC.
We have completed a variety of mold remediation jobs, all fully backed by our guarantee. Lab testing is done to make sure the area is completely clear of mold to help protect you and loved ones. Your safety and satisfaction is always our goal.
We offer FREE Estimates and a 5-year warranty.
*limited Warranty, relative humidity and leaks must be addressed*