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Updated in 10/25/2022 6:05:27 PM      Viewed: 90 times      (Journal Article)

Black Mold - Nasty, Toxic and Dangerous!

Mike Miller
ABSTRACT

The presence of black mould can be suspected if you discover something on a wall that is both black and smells moist, musty, and perhaps even slightly reminiscent of dirty socks or urine. It is widespread and can be found in damp indoor environments. Because of the high levels of moisture and humidity produced by showering and bathing, you will most frequently discover it in bathrooms.

The antagonist is a group called S. Chartarum


There are moulds in the genus Stachybotrys. The species S. chartarum is the most well-known example of this group, and it is sometimes referred to simply as "black mould" or "dangerous black mould." So, if you think S. chartarum might be present in your house, you probably do.

Why do harmful invaders occur?


Humidity is a major contributor to, as mentioned up there. This mould thrives at a relative humidity of 55% or higher. Second, leaking water pipes are a common source of the problem.

Since black mould requires moisture to thrive, water damage is often the root cause of mould problems, especially if the source isn't promptly addressed. Having a leaking roof or using humidifiers without a relative humidity control might also contribute to this problem. Black mould thrives in dark, damp places like basements and crawlspaces.

Black mould is attracted to humid environments, so if you have several watering-intensive houseplants, you may find yourself with an infestation. It can also appear inside the house if the gutters are clogged, the wood is rotting, the paint is chipping or peeling, or there is a black growth on the tiles in the bathroom.


Ways to Identify Black Mold


There are several techniques to check for black mould if you think it may be present in your house. Indeed, four mould test kits have been deemed reliable by NAMP (the National Association of Mold Professionals). The Lift Tape Mold Analysis Kit, the Viable Mold Testing Kit, the Instant Mold Testing Kit, and the Air Check Mold Testing Kit are among examples.

Two of these four need to be analysed in a lab, costing an additional $30. The Instant Mold Testing Kit and the Viable Mold Testing Kit both come with the option of sending samples to a lab for further analysis; doing so is highly recommended and will cost an additional $30. Even though the Air Check Mold Testing Kit needs to be analysed in a lab, it costs nothing to order.

With the exception of the Air Check Mold Testing Kit, which requires one kit for every 1000 square feet, you'll only need one of these sets for each material you want to test.

2 people, or 1 person every floor of the building


Shipping and handling for the Lift Tape Mold Analysis Kit costs $4.95, but the kit itself is free. Prices range from $14.95 for the Instant Mold Testing Kit to $7.95–$9.95 for the Viable Testing Kit, depending on the amount bought. The most expensive option is the Air Check Testing Kit, which will set you back $149 for a set of two tests. The test you're about to do is, however, the same one mold air quality testing experts use to determine the safety of the air you've been inhaling. If mould is discovered, the test can pinpoint the exact species.

It's important to avoid black mould at all costs


Black mould is known to be extremely hazardous to one's health. In otherwise healthy persons, this might manifest as a variety of respiratory and allergy-related symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing. Additionally, those who already suffer from asthma may experience an exacerbation of their symptoms, and those who are prone to hypersensitivity pneumonitis may develop the illness.

If you suspect your home has been contaminated, you should have it tested; if you find black mould, you should get to work and eradicate it.

Air Testing For Mold in Your Home or Office


Have you ever had one of those days where you just don't feel good and you have no idea what's wrong with you? You should start looking for a possible issue at home right now. There are a wide variety of possible issues within a home, making mould air testing an excellent first line of defence.

To begin, consider the following


In the first place, tell me if you've ever had water leak into your house.
Was there a lot of condensation on the windows in the winter?

There are negative impacts from both forms of water getting inside your house. Mold inspections and testing can help find the origin of the problem. Before doing mould tests in the air, a visual check of the building is usually recommended. Many times the cause of mould can be identified without the need for mould air testing. For the client, this means more money for mould removal. If you're a mould testing company, now is not the time to prioritise your bottom line over the needs of your clientele in the midst of a recession.

There are certain caveats to air testing for mould, such as the fact that it can only check the air outside the building and not the air within unless you specifically request it. This is more costly since many air samples from the room must be tested for mould. One advantage of conducting mould testing in the walls instead of in the air is that the results are more reliable. As opposed to evaluating the air within the room, we found that measuring the air inside the walls was more accurate. If you're serious about getting an accurate reading, you should conduct mould air testing in the actual locations where the mould is suspected of growing rather than just in the room as a whole.

Any sign of water infiltration into your property requires immediate attention. A bathroom flood requires rapid attention. When a bathroom floods, most people don't think to check behind the medicine cabinet. After a flood, the bathroom cabinet is an ideal environment for the growth of mould. It is important to allow air circulation under the cabinet during flood cleanup, even if it means drilling a hole in the baseboard. The cost of remediation will be more than the cost of replacing the wood face on the base of the cabinet.

The same holds true for a room's walls following a flood. If the water is cleaned up properly, it will not cause as much harm as the mould we experienced after it. Walls must be well ventilated to prevent mould growth on the inside. If there is no moisture, there is no mould, so keep that in mind.

Visit our website or give us a call if you need any help with chemical testing or mould testing the air in your home. When doing mould testing, we prioritise the needs of our customers above anything else.