Toxic black mold is a fungus that can grow on almost any material and can have some very serious health effects, hence the toxic label. This type of mold appears powdery or downy and will grow on clothes, carpets, wood, HVAC systems, furniture, leather, food, walls, air conditioners and many other items. Black mold loves moisture so areas that are susceptible to water and leaks are ideal areas for it to take hold and thrive.

Black mold tends to produce an odor and can also stain walls. Those individuals that have allergies or asthma may be the first to be affected by toxic black mold. Toxic black mold has also been found to poison humans though this needs extreme growth for poisoning to occur. The black mold produces volatile organic compounds, and if these compounds are present at high enough levels they interfere with a persons lungs and nervous system.

Cough, hives, nausea, bleeding in the lungs, dizziness, mucous membrane irritation, allergic reactions, damaged digestion and respiratory systems, internal organ pain, headaches, red eyes, rash, memory loss, lethargy, lack of concentration, asthma, irregular blood pressure, urinary tract infections, and infertility are all common symptoms of toxic black mold.

If you have black mold in your home, you need to get rid of it right away. If it is not too bad, you can kill it yourself, but you need to be careful not to spread the sports to other areas of your home while you are cleaning it. If the mold infestation is very bad, you may need to call in a professional to help you out.

The best way to remove black mold is to prevent it. You will need to monitor the humidity of air, as black mold loves moisture. Dehumidifiers can be used to remove moisture from the air. You should also regularly check your household equipment for mold, as black mold found in HVAC, heating and air conditioning systems is the most dangerous of them all, as this will spread the mold spores throughout your home.

Bathrooms are the one area in the home in which mold may frequently occur if regular cleaning is not done. All areas of the bathroom should be checked frequently and when mold is found it should be removed immediately. I would recommend using bleach! Air purifiers can also be used to remove mold spores from the air and are great if you have asthma or suffer from asthma. You can also decorate your home with mold resistant paint and other anti-mold products to reduce the chance of mold growth.

Areas that have toxic black mold should be sealed off and cleaned immediately. It is important to seal off rooms in order to contain the mold so it does not spread. Exhaust fans suck the mold form indoors to outdoors by creating negative air pressure. Additionally you should turn off any equipment you are cleaning so as not to further spread the mold.

Cleaning black mold is important not only for the cleanliness of your home but for your families health too!