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Black Mold

For most of us, our experience with mold has been scrubbing that black stuff out of our shower, it’s annoying and it’s a pain, but we do it. Bathroom mold is quite common and usually harmless.  However, there is another kind of mold that is extremely dangerous, known as black mold, which can actually be fatal if the level of exposure is high enough and/or long enough.

Black mold is actually greenish-black in appearance, known in the scientific community as Strachybotrys atra, and is extremely toxic and potentially deadly.  See pictures of black mold to the right.  Black mold health effects can include difficulty breathing, headaches, coughing, nausea, memory loss, dizziness, asthma, urinary tract infection, and even infertility.  Among the other dangers of black mold, it can also cause over 100 different types of lung conditions, as well as respiratory bleeding, which is fatal in infants and older adults.

Black mold can appear anywhere there is sufficient moisture for it to grow.  Flood waters are natural territory for it, but even leaky pipes can provide a breeding ground for black mold.  In addition, the mold can attach itself to the inside of the pipes, making it virtually impossible to remove.   Keep in mind that molds can appear in as little as 48 hours following a water damage event, and even sooner in the case of sewage based flood or water damage.

Black mold removal should always be considered a serious health hazard, and remediation should only be handled by a trained professional.   Avoid the black mold health risks.  Contact your local IICRC certified mold remediation expert today for prompt, courteous service, 24/7.