It commonly grows in the home on wet surfaces including within wallpaper, carpet and other damp fabrics. It thrives in moist areas, and so you may also find it in air conditioning filters and HVAC system ducts where there is a buildup of condensation. While most trichoderma molds are non-pathogenic, other types have been linked to pulmonary and even hepatic liver infections.
When it produces mycotoxins, trichoderma acts similarly to stachybotrys. Trichoderma is also extremely damaging to building materials. It contains an enzyme that destroys wood and paper products as well as textiles. This leads to rot and causes these structures to crumble. A trichoderma mold infestation must be dealt with professionally to stop the destruction of building materials and prevent further health hazards.
Ulocladium is a type of mold that thrives in wetness and water. It is usually black in color. Ulocladium is typically found in homes and buildings that have experienced extreme water damage. It can be found in kitchens, bathrooms and basements as well as around windows with high condensation levels. Ulocladium may grow in conjunction with stachybotrys, fusarium and chaetomium molds and is a good indicator of water damage.
Ulocladium has two different subspecies of molds, which can cause serious health concerns in humans. When exposed to ulocladium, people with a predisposition to allergies or immune disorders can experience severe reactions such as hay fever. Some people have even reported skin infections. General asthma-like symptoms and difficulty breathing are the most common effects of ulocladium exposure. Ulocladium is easily confused with other types of mold, so calling in a professional is always a good idea, especially if you suspect that this mold is growing in your home.
With so much to know about the different types of mold, how to identify them and what their potential health hazards are, it is always to contact a professional when it comes to mold remediation. Chronic or widespread mold problems are a serious health concern, and the average person cannot tackle it alone.
Professionals have the knowledge and experience to safely and effectively get rid of mold in your home. If the mold infestation is on a larger scale, a professional mold remediation team will likely do the following, in addition to getting rid of moldy items:.
These essential equipment professionals dry out the air and stop the further spread of mold. For more information on the types of equipment needed for mold remediation, browse through Aer Industries online inventory. Effects of Mold on Human Health It is critical to identify and eliminate mold as soon as it begins to develop. Here are some of the important health effects of mold exposure: Mold Sensitivity: Some people are particularly sensitive to mold, while others can develop a sensitivity over time due to prolonged exposure.
Other people may have more sensitive mold allergies and can be severely affected by it. In fact, people with these types of conditions can potentially develop infections in their lungs due to mold exposure. Respiratory Conditions: In addition to mold being bad for people with existing lung illnesses, mold exposure can also potentially cause respiratory conditions in otherwise healthy people. This includes symptoms such as upper respiratory tract problems, coughing and wheezing and shortness of breath.
It is also linked to developing respiratory illnesses like asthma in certain people who are likely more susceptible. This is particularly concerning for healthy children who may go on to develop asthma or other types of respiratory illnesses.
For those who currently suffer from asthma, mold exposure can intensify symptoms and cause asthma attacks. Severe and Chronic Conditions: Certain types of mold produce mycotoxins, a dangerous toxic by-product that can be absorbed by the skin, airways and intestinal lining. Prolonged exposure to mycotoxins can lead to severe and even deadly conditions. Some of the potentially dangerous symptoms of mycotoxigenic exposure include: Pulmonary fibrosis scarring in the lungs Cancer Pulmonary bleeding Immune and blood disorders Liver and kidney conditions Neurotoxicity toxic nervous system Pregnancy conditions Digestive and heart conditions Professional Mold Removal Getting rid of mold is a very complex undertaking.
Types of Mold Mold is a fungus, and it grows virtually everywhere on Earth. Harmful molds can be any of the following classifications: Allergenic: Molds that cause and produce allergies and allergic reactions such as asthma attacks. Pathogenic: Molds that cause health problems in those suffering from an acute illness.
Toxigenic: Molds that produce toxic substances that can lead to dangerous or even deadly health conditions. Knowing about the different forms of mold will you in identifying mold types that may be present in your home so you know how to better get rid of them: 1.
Acremonium Acremonium mold is a toxigenic mold type that evolves in its appearance over time. If needed, you can then call in a mold remediation company to remove the toxic mold in your home and get to the bottom of any remaining sources of water damage.
Once the mold has been remediated, a clearance air test can be performed to ensure that the mold levels in your home are safe. To an untrained professional glancing at a suspect problem area might not give you the answers you need. Give us a call to discuss how we can help identify and solve the issue. DIY mold clean-up can also be beneficial, but the harsh chemicals that need to be used tend to be harsh. Check out 6 natural ways to treat mold without using bleach. Chaetomium Chaetomium is most commonly found in homes that have water damage, as it thrives in wet, dark environments such as drywall, wallpaper, baseboards and carpets.
We do not have precise information about how often different molds are found in buildings and homes. Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, and pets can and be carried indoors.
When mold spores drop on places where there is excessive moisture, such as where leakage may have occurred in roofs, pipes, walls, plant pots, or where there has been flooding, they will grow. Many building materials provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow. Wet cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products, are particularly conducive for the growth of some molds.
Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly support mold growth.
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds.
For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma , may have more intense reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath.
In the Institute of Medicine IOM found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. Other recent studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development, and that selected interventions that improve housing conditions can reduce morbidity from asthma and respiratory allergies.
A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants , memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.
There is no blood test for mold. Some physicians can do allergy testing for possible allergies to mold, but no clinically proven tests can pinpoint when or where a particular mold exposure took place. People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections.
Individuals with chronic respiratory disease e. Individuals with immune suppression are at increased risk for infection from molds. If you or your family members have these conditions, a qualified medical clinician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment. They can also have a velvety, fuzzy, or rough appearance, depending on the type of mold and where it is growing. Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, but they are not visible to the naked eye.
Through the air : They can enter through open windows, doorways, and ventilation systems. Mold will only flourish if spores land somewhere that has the ideal conditions for growing, such as moisture and a supply of suitable nutrients. If the environment is unsuitable for the spores, they do not usually develop or cause a problem. Mold growth is usually visible and often produces a musty odor. It can damage household items, and it can also have an impact on health. Mold can pose a health problem , especially for people with an allergy, an existing respiratory problem, or a weakened immune system.
As mold grows, spores, cells, fragments, and unstable organic compounds can enter the air. They can produce allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins. Some of these can be toxic, especially to individuals who have a sensitivity to them. Also, dampness encourages materials to break down, increasing the volume of particles, or dust, in the air. These particles can irritate the lungs, nose, and throat, especially in a person who already has a breathing problem, asthma , or a chronic lung condition.
Mold allergies can produce similar symptoms to other allergies, such as hay fever , or seasonal allergy. In these, too, airborne substances can affect the upper respiratory tract. People with a mold allergy as well as asthma have a higher chance of having an asthma attack when there is mold in the environment.
A higher volume of dust can increase the risk of dust mites, which can also trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Some types of mold, such as Aspergillus , can cause a serious health problem, known as aspergillosis , in some people.
Most people can breathe in the spores of this fungus without becoming sick, but people who have a weakened immune system or an existing lung disease can have a severe reaction. There are different types of aspergillosis:.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis ABPA : This affects the lungs and can cause breathing problems. Allergic aspergillus sinusitis : This affects the nose and can involve a headache. Aspergilloma, or fungus ball : This can cause a cough, which may produce blood, as well as breathing problems. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis : Symptoms include breathing problems, a cough, and weight loss.
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