Toxic Mold / Black Mold

This section provides you with information and resources to help you if you are suffering from toxic mold or black mold in your home or workplace.

Toxic Mold - Overview
Toxic Mold - FAQ

Toxic Mold - Overview

Toxic mold problems in homes and commercial buildings have dramatically increased in recent years. Many of these problems result in legal claims. Experts and lawyers who handle mold-related claims give various reasons for this increase -- including the increased emphasis on making buildings airtight; quick construction; faulty building techniques and materials; and increasingly complex building designs.

While many people have heard of "black mold," in fact there are a variety of strains that can cause ill health effects to residents and occupants in homes, businesses, and places of employment. If you feel that you have been exposed to toxic mold in your home or place of business, you may wish to contact an attorney or law firm specializing in toxic mold- related claims, to talk about your situation and protect your legal rights. Following is an overview discussion of toxic mold.

What Causes Mold in Homes and Buildings?

Mold spores are everywhere in the natural environment. They enter homes and buildings through windows, open doors, pets, or attached to people. Once the spore is in the home or building it must have abundant moisture, a food source, and a certain temperature range in order to grow.

Moisture infiltration is the main cause of building mold. Moisture may come from a wide variety of sources. Many modern homes and buildings are very airtight. This is great for efficiency, but not so great for allowing the structure to dry. For example, once moisture gets in through a pipe leak, faulty windows, roof leaks, or other sources, the water cannot evaporate. Mold is drawn to this moisture, and may grow on wet materials such as wood, insulation, ceiling tiles, and carpeting.

Mold - Warning Signs

There are a variety of warning signs that should lead a person to investigate a home or commercial building for potential mold infestation. The earlier an investigation takes place, the better the possibility that a home or building owner can reduce possible damages and adverse health effects caused by mold exposure.

• Visible mold growth
• Discoloration or water stains on internally facing walls or ceilings
• Discoloration or water stains on externally facing walls
• Areas of standing water or condensation on floors, walls, or window sills
• "Musty" odor

Types of Mold

There are many types of mold that may occur in homes and office buildings -- some sources say that there are over 100,000 different species. Some mold species are considered harmless, while others can cause potentially serious adverse health effects.

Why is Mold Harmful to Humans?

Certain molds produce volatile organic compounds ("VOCs") or toxins as byproducts of their metabolism. VOCs generally evaporate at room temperature. In fact, when a person smells a "musty" odor, he or she is actually smelling the volatile organic compounds. Some VOCs produce adverse health effects in certain predisposed individuals. In contrast to VOCs,, toxins do not evaporate easily, and some are considered very dangerous to humans. Regardless of whether a particular strain of mold produces VOCs or toxins, all molds should be considered potential health risks, and the presence of mold should lead to investigation, cleaning, and/or removal.

Toxic Mold - FAQ

Q. What is mold?
A: Molds are a type of fungus. Mold is a natural component of both outdoor and indoor air. However, when molds germinate and grow, they can produce large amounts of spores. When these spores land on damp areas indoors, they may begin growing, including in areas that are not readily visible, such as between furniture and walls. You can control indoor mold growth by controlling the moisture in your home. In the last several years concern has arisen that elevated levels of mold spores in indoor living or working environments may increase the risk of adverse health effects, particularly respiratory problems.

Q: Are all molds harmful to health?
A: Some molds have a greater potential to be harmful than others. The common types of indoor mold include: Cladosporium, Penicillium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, and Mucor.

Studies have shown that mold exposure can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and respiratory difficulties. Symptoms include wheezing; difficulty breathing and shortness of breath; nasal and sinus congestion; irritated eyes; dry, hacking cough; irritated nose or throat; and skin rashes or irritation.

Q: What types of mold are considered "toxic" mold?
A: Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) is one of many types of black mold that may grow on water-damaged building materials. This mold requires a lot of water or moisture to grow, so finding it indoors indicates some significant moisture accumulation problems. It only grows on materials with high fiber and low nitrogen content, such as paper (including wallpaper and the paper covering of gypsum wallboard), wood or jute (frequently used for the backing of older carpets). This mold does not grow on shower tile or plastic. In the outdoor environment it is found in soil, rotting hay and leaf debris. This mold, among others, may produce mycotoxins - chemicals that discourage growth of other microorganisms and that may also cause health problems in people.

Q: Are there any tests that can tell if I have been exposed to mycotoxins?
A: No, there are no laboratory tests of blood, urine or other body components that can determine if a person has been exposed to mycotoxins. Blood can be tested for antibodies to some specific types of fungi. However, these tests only determine if a person who has become allergic to fungi has been exposed recently to that specific type of fungus. Allergy tests cannot determine if a person has been exposed to fungal toxins.

Q: Can the amounts of mold be measured in a home?
A: There are currently no tests available through commercial laboratories to determine if mold toxins are present in the air or on surfaces in a home or workplace. Test methods that are currently available are used for research purposes and are not applicable to home or workplace situations. Decisions to clean up mold and precautions to take during the clean-up process do not require knowledge about the presence of mycotoxins. If there is visible mold or a moldy odor in a room, then there is a mold problem that needs to be addressed.