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Toxic Mold

Certain molds give off toxic compounds called mycotoxins under specific environmental conditions, which can be harmful or lethal to humans and animals is exposure is high enough and for long enough duration.  Prolonged exposure may lead to neurological disorders and in rare cases, even death.  The most common mold exposure problems come from exposure in homes or in the workplace.

It should be noted that not all mycotoxins are harmful….some are actually beneficial in forms such as penicillin.  In addition, mycotoxins are not harmful all the time, but merely in certain environmental conditions favorable to their development, and if the level of exposure is high enough.

Humans can become exposed to toxic mold in a number of ways:

Air – Mold spores float through air, and are particularly numerous in humid air.  One of the main elements of mold remediation is to reduce the level of moisture in a building, thus removing one of the prime breeding ground ingredients for mold.

Food – Mold is quite often found on meat and poultry, usually in the form of a discolored area on the food.   It is always advisable to discard food with any mold growth on it, keep the inside of your refrigerator clean, and humidity from accumulating in food closets or pantries.

As always, the size of your mold problem depends on how you handle it.  Small cases of mold growth may be remediated fairly easily, using a detergent based solution.  Larger cases should obviously be handled by a professional.  Don’t risk your health or the health of your loved ones; call your local IICRC certified mold remediation expert today for a free estimate or phone consultation.