Did Terrifying Stories about Toxic Mold Make Mold Even More Dangerous?

Some stories, in newspapers and online, about mold have gone from the realm of scary to unbelievable. Unfortunately, when people hear some of these outlandish claims their response is to think that everything they hear about mold is fake or exaggerated. Don’t be misled, mold can be dangerous. So, what should you believe about mold?

Mold is all around us, both inside and outside. Mold can be beneficial, mold helps turn leaves to soil, and mold can be harnessed for medicine, like penicillin. However, it is a safe guess that if mold is growing in your home, it is not beneficial. The real question is, just how harmful is it?

There are a wide variety of different types of molds. Different molds can produce different symptoms in different people. The most common reaction to inhaling or touching the spores that mold releases into the air is an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, or a skin rash. In people who are susceptible, mold exposure can cause greater reactions like asthma attacks, sever coughing, wheezing, or breathlessness. Unfortunately, some of the scary articles you read about mold could be true. Some molds produce mycotoxins, which can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases even death.

So, what do you do as a homeowner. First, don’t panic. Don’t lie awake at night obsessing about whether there could be undetected “toxic” mold in your home. The anxiety from speculation isn’t worth it. Instead, if you have any reason to believe there might be mold in your home, contact a reputable mold specialist.

Mold detection, identification, and removal is not something you want to take on as a DIY project. Although there are plenty of tutorials on the internet, if you want to ensure that mold is dealt with properly, have Mold Solutions by Cowleys do it. Many people find mold in their home and send a sample off for identification. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, sampling alone seldom provides all the necessary information to evaluate the extent of a mold and moisture problem. To properly test for mold, it is important for a professional to visually inspect the areas suspected of having mold. Many homeowners assume they know what mold looks like. Anything black, green or fuzzy must be mold, right? Wrong. There are mold imposters, which are various types of discolorations that look like mold, but, in fact, aren’t.

A good inspector knows not only what to look for but also where to look. They will pay special attention to floors, ceilings, and the corners of rooms, and look for areas where moisture can be present. A good inspector, like us, also looks throughout the entire home, not just in the regularly used living spaces. Mold can be found in hidden areas like the basement, crawl space, and attic. Mold spores can then be disseminated through the house though air ducts. Meaning even if you are not in those areas, you can be affected by the mold in them.