Ask any person about mold and the first thing that is likely going to come to mind is a black furry looking substance that seems to grow in moist places. That quick brainstorm is definitely true and quite prevalent in many bathrooms, air conditioning units and even underneath freezers and refrigerators, all places where moisture tends to collect. This growth also comes in a variety of other colors like white, green and brown.
The Stachybotrys type of mold normally grows outdoors in decaying organic materials but one species of it commonly called black mold can be rather prolific indoors if not kept in check. This mold is black or dark brown in color and can appear slimy in extremely moist conditions or almost light gray in drier settings.
There are some telltale signs that you have mold in your home but do you know what they are? If you cannot see mold, you will likely smell it as it has an earthy and many times, musty odor. However, your eyes are the best detection because mold is rather telling with its black, green, brown or even white colors in a variety of textures such as fuzz or even powder. Mold removal is essential not only for cleanliness and appearance sake but also for health reasons.
Virtually every nook and cranny in the world harbors some type of mold and it is quite a common problem that can be traced back to ancient times. Mold has really become more prevalent in recent years simply because we all are becoming more aware of the health hazards and dangers it poses, especially a type called toxic mold.
Black mold is related to the same family of molds that cause the toxic varieties and therefore can cause quite a negative impact on your health. Recognizing symptoms of black mold can be a bit tricky as they often present themselves in a variety of ways that can be construed as other illnesses.
They are not plants, animals or fungi. They are found on every continent in the world, on hidden away corners of rotting stumps, and other types of bark. We are talking about the unique and curious slime mold that has been a fascination for scientists for centuries. One of the interesting facts about the slime mold is the life cycle that presents different forms for examination.
You may not know that it is lurking. It can hide in your ventilation system, under your carpet or around your attic. Or you might indeed see evidence in discoloration on your baseboards or cracks in your shower tile. It can be found anywhere, indoors and out, and it can cause physical ailments like sinusitis, watery eyes and respiratory conditions. Yes, you guessed it, we are talking about mold. And since mold may or may not be visible and can cause some people physical distress, mold testing may be important to determine whether you have any of this substance within the confines of your home.
If you suffer from seasonal sniffles, itchy eyes and a chronic cough, you are probably the victim of allergies. And if your symptoms span the time between late spring and early fall, it is possible that mold is the culprit of those allergies. It is also likely that you have mold allergies if your sneezes seem to go on year-round, since molds can thrive in certain environments and warmer climates. Because of this, mold allergies can be difficult for many people to cope with. The good news is that there are many steps that you can take to prevent your allergy symptoms before they ever begin.
Mold is a common substance in our environment; in fact, it is more numerous than pollen particles are in the air. This is why it is not uncommon to suffer from a mold allergy, and why a mold allergy can be such a difficult condition to deal with. Sometimes folks with mold allergies can suffer with symptoms from the spring thaw to the first freezing frost of autumn. This is a long season for allergy sufferers, and why many seek treatment for their annoying symptoms.
We’ve all seen it. You stick a loaf of bread in your breadbox or pantry, and a few days later you begin to notice blue, green and black fuzz growing on top of it. Bread mold is a common problem, and can actually be the source of many interesting science experiments. But why is a loaf of bread such a desirable source for mold? The answer lies in an understanding of exactly what mold is, where it is found and how it survives.