-
Black Mold – Symptoms You May Suffer
Black mold, sometimes referred to as toxic mold or mildew is a common problem in many homes. When the correct conditions prevail such as a surface which contains moisture caused usually by high humidity or dampness and the correct temperature range this fungi will begin to germinate and grow. It takes on almost a “furry” appearance although it has also been described as looking “powdery”
Once the mold has formed as with any living organism it needs food to survive and this is when the potential for the black mold to cause symptoms of illness in humans begins. The cause of the symptoms are due to something known as VOC’s – Volatile Organic Compounds – these are produced by the mold when it begins to break down the surface on which it is present in order to get the nourishment it needs for continued growth.
Anyone exposed to high levels of these VOC’s can experience any of a number of symptoms attributed to the black mold growth.Listed below are some of the most common symptoms of black mold induced illness:
1.Respiratory problems
2. coughs
3. nausea
4. Rashes on the skin
5. Loss of memory
6. Dizziness
7. Problems with blood pressure
8. Asthma
9. Urinary tract infection
10. Damage to the lungs
11. Allergies – itchy or running nose, eyes etc.
12. Difficulty concentrating
These are just a few but as you can see the symptoms caused by black mold are varied and can be potentially very serious especially those affecting the respiratory and central nervous systems.
Obviously if you find yourself suffering from any of these symptoms it is best to consult a doctor. However the best way to ease or eradicate your symptoms caused by black mold is to eliminate the mold from your home.
As I have said before black mold needs moisture to grow and the moisture within our homes can usually be caused by one of two things high humidity or dampness.
High humidity is excess moisture in the atmosphere. The number one cause of this is lack of ventilation. As we go about our daily tasks we generate steam through cooking, bathing, perhaps using a tumble dryer to dry clothing, We hang wet clothing to dry around heaters – the list is endless. However without enough ventilation the moisture in the atmosphere builds because it cannot escape, then as it cools moisture begins to settle on cold surfaces as water droplets better know as condensation. The wet surfaces such as window frames, walls etc. then become prime growing areas for black mold.
Dampness is usually caused by an underlying problem with water leakage. Poor property maintenance can lead to water seeping in through roofs, into basements, through cracks in walls or from leaking pipes. A constant drip will over
Damp Area On Walls
time cause a huge amount of damage and the damp surfaces create ideal growing conditions for black mold.
The first step to getting rid of black mold and the symptoms it can inflict is to identify what the root cause is.
If your property has a problem high humidity then it is fairly easy to put right. Simply open a few windows! This is the simplest and cheapest solution but possible not the best one if the temperature outside is -10oC. However there are other relatively cheap things you can do, for example:-
1. Have extractor fan
installed in your kitchen and bathroom which are directly vented to the outside of the building – NOT into attic space or basements, do that and you will have BIG problems in the future.
2. If you use a tumble dryer this too should have a vent to the outside of the house. These things create massive amounts of steam so by doing this alone you will cut the humidity levels greatly.
3. Try not to dry wet clothing in the house – where possible hang it outside to dry. If you must dry it inside hang it in an unheated room, open the window and close the door.
4. dehumidifier
are a great tool in solving this problem too. They may not be particularly cheap to buy but if you have a problem then they are well worth the investment. A dehumidifier
If the cause of your black mold is dampness, it may not be so easy to remedy.
1. The first thing to do is to establish why you have damp areas in the first place – if necessary you should bring in a professional builder or plumber to assess the situation. You cannot begin to eradicate the black mold and the symptoms of ill health it causes until repairs are completed.
2. If the damage is extensive it may be necessary to replace wood, plaster, carpets etc. If this is not the case the next step is to dry the area out remember – remove the moisture and the black mold cannot grow or spread. Opening windows in good weather will do the job as will the use of heaters. A dehumidifier
The task of cleaning any signs of black mold need not be an expensive one. However, it should be a non toxic one.
There are many natural ways to clean black mold from good old soap and water to solutions of tea tree oil or grapefruit seed oil. However, there many commercialy produced products designed for the purpose of removing black mold
It is worth taking a bit of time when choosing such a product to be sure that it is safe for use by non professionals and that it is not highly toxic especially around children and pets.
