While mould and mildew can cause health problems, the most dangerous type of mould is Stachybotrys chartarum. You most likely know this one by its more common name, toxic black mould. It’s only natural to be concerned about the presence of this type of mould, but how do you know what you’re dealing with as you go about cleaning the house? You can perform a black mould test at home with one of many available products. However, Brisbane Crime Scene Cleaning want to give you information that you can put to use right now.
Are You Sure It’s Mould?
Homeowners often ask us about the differences between mould and mildew. Both are common even in the cleanest house, and they can resemble each other. Unless it spreads over large areas, mildew doesn’t usually pose the same health risks as mould. Try this simple test to determine if you have a mould or mildew problem.
- Using a cotton swab, dab a little bleach on the affected area
- Wait a few minutes, and then check for a change in colour
- If the area turns lighter, you’re looking at mildew clean-up
- If the treated surface remains dark, that’s a sure sign that it’s mould
Mildew is easily removed with a bleach solution or household cleaners, but always be very cautious about attempting mould clean-up until you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Is Black Mould Toxic?
All moulds reproduce by releasing microscopic particles into the air. These spores settle on surfaces where they take hold and spread the mould’s growth. Because spores are microorganisms, they’re very easily inhaled. They can also enter the body through the eyes and settle on skin and clothing. While you can see mould growing on walls or floors, it’s impossible to detect airborne spores without taking samples.
Because black mould is so hazardous, we strongly advise that you call in professional Mould Removal and Remediation technicians
Black mould is considered toxic because its spores contain high concentrations of microbial volatile organic compounds and dangerous mould mycotoxins. The spores often affect people who have allergies or weak immune systems. Children and older adults and are especially vulnerable to airborne microorganisms, but a high concentration of black mould spores can impact people who normally enjoy good health.
What Are the Symptoms of Exposure?
Most common moulds around the house aren’t cause for concern, but exposure to toxic black mould can produce serious reactions in healthy people. Headaches, runny noses and itchy eyes are noted most often, but black mould exposure can also lead to the following health issues and ailments:
- Severe irritation in mucous membranes
- Trouble breathing and serious respiratory distress
- Uncontrollable coughing that sometimes produces blood
- Upset stomach, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Bladder and kidney problems
- Extreme fatigue and tiredness
- A loss of concentration and memory
- Compromised immune system responses
- Internal organ damage and failure
How Can You Identify Black Mould?
Because it can pose such a danger to your health, you want to be able to identify any suspected black mould. While you can use a consumer product to run a black mould test, the samples that you gather must be sent off to confirm what type of mould you’re dealing with. However, black mould does have distinctive characteristics.
- It grows in areas that stay wet like crawl spaces with leaky pipes
- The mould is especially prevalent after a home or business suffers water damage
- Its growth pattern spreads through materials underneath the surface mould
- Toxic mould is often slimy with a dark, greenish-black coloration
- The mycotoxins in black mould give off a strong, unpleasant musty odour
Whilst Brisbane Crime Scene Cleaning has covered the basics of black mould identifiable characteristics in our post, the only way to know for certain if you have black mould is to have samples taken and sent off for testing. While you can do this yourself, it’s much safer to let a professional service take care of it for you.
Keeping You Safe and Healthy
If you suspect that any mould around the house is toxic, never try to remove it yourself. Because black mould is so dangerous, we strongly advise that you call in a Brisbane Crime Scene Cleaning professional Mould Removal and Remediation technician that handles mould testing in Brisbane and across Queensland. If a toxic black mould problem is identified, your home needs specialised clean-up and mould remediation to eliminate the danger it poses to your health.
