Mold in your home or at the workplace is never a pleasant situation to deal with, but when it comes to toxic mold it is not just a case of being unpleasant but also downright dangerous. Mold and mold spores are ubiquitous in nature and are common components of household dust. Virtually all homes and buildings have some mold. There are hundreds of species of mold found in the United States that are not harmful to humans. The worst types of molds which are known to be harmful to humans are: Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys chartarum. These types of mold are commonly known as toxic molds
In addition to physical injuries, property damages can be substantial. Structural damage caused by water or water vapor trapped behind walls is a prime location for mold to grow. Both toxic and allergenic (non-toxic) molds can grow on wood, ceiling tiles, drywall, latex paint, paper, carpet, and foods. If moisture problems are not corrected quickly and properly, the growth can be exponential and the end results catastrophic to the structure of the home. Sometimes, mold can infect personal property such as household furniture, bedding, mattresses, clothing, shoes, electronic equipment, appliances, heating and cooling units (HVAC), etc. Sometimes these items can be professionally cleaned through an expensive remediation process. Only a professional can tell you whether property infected with mold is salvageable.
Exposure to significant quantities of certain types of mold spores can cause health problems. Under proper growing conditions some species of molds may generate molecular compounds called mycotoxins. In large quantities or with long term exposure, mycotoxins can be toxic to humans or animals.
Mold can grow in moist warm areas like damp basements, wood, ceiling tile, closets, and bathrooms, but are also commonly found in refrigerator drip trays, house plants, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses, upholstered furniture and anywhere fresh food is stored. The worst place that molds can grow, however, is inside wall cavities and flooring of our homes. This is very common if there has been a plumbing leak, an inadequate roof or if the structural integrity of the home or building becomes compromised. Mold can be found wherever there are cellulose materials they can feed on (such as wood, ceiling tiles, or plasterboard).
