Black Mold Health Risks
Black mold is also known as Stachybotrys, a fungi belonging to the species of mold. As in any other fungi, black molds are also living organisms. Invisible to the naked eye, mold spores are floating all around us, indoors and outdoors. Of recognized varieties of mold, black mold is considered to be one of the most toxic molds in existent. Black mold health risks are varied and it depends on the individual health of one’s immune system. According to the American Center for Disease Control, all indoor molds pose a potential health risk to its inhabitants and should be handled with caution.
When you look at black mold health risks, it is considered to be hazardous to humans because given favorable environmental conditions, they can create several toxic chemicals that are called mycotoxins. Toxic black molds usually grow on surfaces with a high content of cellulose such as, wood, paper or dry walls. These deadly byproducts are found in mold spores, the invisible fragments which become airborne. These airborne spores cling to your clothes, your skin and even the fur on your pets and enter your homes and work places. However, these spores are habitually incapable of becoming airborne as they are part of the slimy wet mold cluster. But, when the black mold dries up, the spores may be carried by the wind and make contact with with humans. The black mold health risks are initiated at this point, when humans breathe in and ingest these toxic black mold spores.
Black mold health risks vary depending on the duration of the exposure as well as the amount of toxic spores which are ingested by the individual. It is important to understand the gravity of black mold health risks, and seek necessary medical attention before minor symptoms manifest into life threatening illnesses. In the list of black mold health risks, allergic reactions are the most recurrent indication and the symptoms typically include; wheezing, tightening of chest and difficulty breathing, nasal and throat congestion or sore throat, nose and throat irritation, blurred vision or watery, reddened eyes, nausea and skin irritation or rashes. Other rare effects of black mold health risks include, headaches and moodiness and sometimes even the temporary loss of memory, joint aches and body pains and on occasion fever as well. If you have any of these symptoms, the easiest way to self diagnose your problem before you consult a doctor is to figure out whether you have these symptoms when you are exposed to black mold, and then check whether they are reduced or completely vanished when you leave the area.
Individuals who are most susceptible to black mold health risks are generally people with respiratory ailments such as asthma or pneumonia, infants whose immune systems are on the early stages of development, elderly individuals with worn out weak immune systems and people with life threatening illnesses such as cancer or AIDS. Black mold health risks are serious and should be given immediate medical attention in order to make sure that it does not aggravate and turn in to a deadly health problem.
