Toxic Mold

Toxic mold can be described as variety of fungi that can also grow indoors. Sometimes it is also called black mold.  The mold itself is not toxic. Toxic mold releases chemical called mycotoxins that results into toxic reactions. The symptoms of toxic mold exposure include cognitive problems, headaches, flu symptoms, respiratory problems and skin irritation. Spores released by mold causes an allergic reaction and sometimes may lead to the fungal infection of digestive tract, lungs, sinuses and skin.

Toxic molds belong to the family of organisms called fungi. Toxic mold is found on carpet, drywall and wood. Darkness and poor ventilation exacerbates it. It is commonly found in airtight buildings constructed after 1970.It includes yeasts, mushrooms and mildews. The exact no. of fungi is not known to anybody.  Total no. of mold estimated ranges between 50,000 to 250,000. Out of this huge no. of fungi, less than 200 have been identified as human pathogens. Molds are found in the places where following exists:

• Oxygen temperature (different forms of mold are found in different temperatures).
• Food
• Moisture

Molds are important to the environment .Their function is to break down organic matter like dead trees and leaves. Due to wet and moisture conditions, molds grow indoors also. As mold is not toxic in nature, it is inappropriate to call them toxic mold. It is a common term referring to variety of different molds. Stachybotry’s chartarum is the common type of mold. This particular mold is greenish black in color but molds are found in different colors like green ,pink ,red , brown ,blue ,orange and white.

Mytoxins

Molds are not toxic in nature. Mold releases chemical substance called mycotoxins. Following reasons are postulated for the release of mytoxins:

• Mytoxins lead to the formation of a mold that is poisonous .Thus preventing other molds from growing in that area.
• Mytoxins prepares a surface for other molds so that they can use it for food.
• An under stress mold produce more toxins.

Therefore, molds are not toxic but toxigenic.

Spores

Molds produce microscopic spores and thus spread. These spores keep on floating indoors and outdoors until unless they found an appropriate surface to grow. Spores need right temperature , oxygen, moisture and food to grow. They can survive in dry conditions for a long time. They generally grow in moist or wet environment. The conditions ideal for the growth of mold includes damp, warm and humid conditions. Molds enter house through air condition systems, open doorways, windows and ventilation. As mold spores are floating in the air, they settle on shoes, bags, clothes etc.

Toxic mold – An Introduction

Toxic mold can be described as variety of fungi that can also grow indoors. Sometimes it is also called black mold.  The mold itself is not toxic. Toxic mold releases chemical called mycotoxins that results into toxic reactions. The symptoms of toxic mold exposure include cognitive problems, headaches, flu symptoms, respiratory problems and skin irritation. Spores released by mold causes an allergic reaction and sometimes may lead to the fungal infection of digestive tract, lungs, sinuses and skin. Toxic mold is found on carpet, drywall and wood. Darkness and poor ventilation exacerbates it. It is commonly found in airtight buildings constructed after 1970.