We get this question all the time: how dangerous is black mold? This is the Million Dollar Question. First, let’s agree that the mere color of the mold is not what raises health concerns! According to the CDC, molds of many colors can be potentially dangerous if you are allergic or have a compromised respiratory system. Some research scientists, biologists, allergists, and others feel strongly that black mold is dangerous.
Others feel just as strongly that, until there is conclusive data answering the question, “how dangerous is black mold”, we cannot conclude that black mold is dangerous. After 24 years in the environmental industry addressing mold issues daily, my opinion is that mold is definitely an allergen and definitely can have a variable allergenic effect. And in some cases, this can be toxic!
So when asked the question, “how dangerous is black mold?”, my answer is, “it can be very dangerous!” because you just don’t know how it will affect you. The best way to know how dangerous black mold (or mold of any color) is to you or your family, especially if anyone is experiencing allergies (runny nose, itchy eyes, rashes, wheezing), is to test the mold and identify its specifics. Some scientists wondered, “how dangerous is black mold?” and found that molds can be attributed to SIDS in children and can be linked to miscarriages among pregnant women. So how dangerous is black mold? Possibly deadly!
The Environmental Professional-In-A Box™ Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Mold kit is an incredibly easy and cost effective way to obtain certified, legally defensible laboratory results about mold in your home. The most publicized and potentially dangerous black mold is of course Stachybotrys. According to Legal Info.com, when asked the question “how dangerous is black mold?” the toxin produced by Stachybotrys Chartarum is the most deadly. It has been tied to many diseases, from those as minor as hay fever to those as serious as liver damage, pulmonary edema, and, in the most severe cases, brain or nerve damage, and even death! So you tell me. How dangerous IS black mold?
How Dangerous Is Black Mold To My Children or Other Loved Ones?
Black mold has also been linked to severe illness in infants. Those with compromised immune systems, small children, and the elderly are highly susceptible to illness when they come in contact with this species of mold. Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium: these mold families have been connected to illnesses such as nail fungus; asthma; and infections of the lungs, liver, and kidneys.
Additionally, Fusarium may cause gastrointestinal illnesses and even illnesses that affect the female reproductive system! So, how dangerous is black mold for women? Potentially catastrophic! Chronic cases of Cladosporium may produce pulmonary edema and emphysema. Aspergillus, a mold family that consists of over 250 species, is considered the least serious of the toxic mold groups. Only 16 of those species cause illness in humans, and none of these illnesses are fatal if treated.
It should also be noted that Aspergillus and Penicillium are found virtually everywhere, needing very little moisture to germinate. So, if you are more susceptible to molds generally, you might begin to experience adverse health effects with less moisture intrusion than other people might experience. In some cases, simply a bit of humidity from outside is enough to begin germination and mold growth. How dangerous is black mold if it can grow that easily?
It is not all bad news—black mold can be fought. The Environmental Professional-In-A Box™ DIY mold testing kit is simple to use, inexpensive, timely, and analyzed by an accredited lab (the same as numerous professionals use). Upon receiving the results from the accredited lab, you can begin to determine if the specific species or genus of mold in your house is contributing to your suspected mold allergy, your asthma, or other serious health problems you may be having.
So, how dangerous is black mold to your family? Potentially quite dangerous. If you are concerned about black mold, or mold of any color, click here to get the Environmental Professional In-A-Box™ Mold Testing Kits.
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