Toxic Black Mold: Symptoms of Black Mold Poisoning

Mildew or mold is a type of fungi that grows on various surfaces in the form of powdery or downy substance. Mold growth is usually seen on humid/damp surfaces in surroundings with moderate temperature and sufficient amount of light. While mold growth on walls, wood, clothes, food, carpets or even your leather sofa, is prominent, it is not confined to these surfaces alone. In fact, mold can also grow inside the equipment you use on a regular basis - such as the air conditioners and HVAC systems.

The humidity level/dampness is the most important factor contributing to mold growth, and it can be attributed to several conditions including leakage which causes water dripping and dampens the surrounding area, high humidity in surrounding environment, condensation phenomenon, and so on. Even though molds are present everywhere, it is their quantity and the mycotoxins that they tend to produce which make them a health hazard. The term 'toxic mold' refers to those molds which produce mycotoxins and pose a serious threat to humans. One of the best examples of such toxic molds is the black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum and Stachybotrys chlorohalonata).

What are the Signs of Mold?

You can detect the growth of toxic mold within your house or building by looking out for some telltale signs of the same. These telltale signs of mold growth, which range from formation of greenish-black colored patches on the walls to increasing instances of health issues in people occupying the 'said' structure, are discussed below.

• Moisture on the Surfaces: Moisture or dampness on surfaces (of wall, wood, clothes, etc.) can be treated as the very first sign of mildew growth. While moisture does not necessarily indicate the presence of mold, it is an important condition for mold formation and growth. If you reside in a region wherein Relative Humidity (RH) exceeds 55 percent, you but obviously need to keep an eye for mold infestation in your home.
• Stains on the Wall: Yellowish stains on the wall caused due to moisture help initial growth of mold. You need to look out for the greenish, blackish or brownish-colored patches on the damp wall as these patches characterize mold growth on the walls. Other than these black damp spores on walls, cracked or peeling paint can also be a sign of the presence of mold.
• Unusual Odor: Mildew or musty odors is one of the most prominent signs of mold growth on surfaces. At times, you may only experience this 'unusual' smell when your air conditioner or HVAC system is on. If that is the case, you will have the check the particular equipment for mold growth as it usually happens when mold forms within the equipment. If you experience any unusual odor near damp/humid surfaces, you should look out for the other signs of mold growth.
• Respiratory System Response in People: If one or more people occupying the structure experience some kind of allergic reaction or respiratory problem when they are indoors, then there is a possibility of high mold growth. Again this is just one of the several signs, and you need to look out for other signs to ascertain the presence of mold within the house.

Poisoning due to the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) formed by the mold is one of the most prominent signs of potential mold growth. After mold formation, it needs nutrition to grow, which it obtains by degrading the surface on which it is growing. During the process of degrading the surface for nutrition, the black mold on the wall contributes to the formation of VOCs. High exposure to VOCs formed by mold can affect human respiratory and central nervous systems, and even cause irritation to mucous membranes.

Symptoms of Black Mold Poisoning

Black mold poisoning occurs when a person is exposed to the mycotoxins produced by the toxic black mold species as he inhales air contaminated with mold spores or when he eats food contaminated with it. The severity of toxic black mold poisoning symptoms depends on the exposure time and the quantity of spores that the person was exposed to. Allergic reactions of the respiratory and/or the nervous system are by far the most obvious symptoms of mold poisoning. Other than these, the poisoning symptoms range from chronic fatigue and reddening of eyes to infertility and miscarriage. The most common symptoms of black mold poisoning are:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Vision problems
• Reddening of eyes
• Ringing in the ears
• Hearing loss
• Sensitivity to sound
• Dirt like taste in mouth
• Chronic fatigue
• Lethargy
• Headaches and dizziness
• Hair loss
• Muscle twitching
• Joint pains
• Nausea and vomiting
• Allergies to food
• Panic attacks
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings, irritability
• Inability to cope with stress
• Memory loss
• Lack of concentration
• Frequent upper respiratory infections
• Chronic cough
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Stomach ulcers

High level or prolonged exposure to toxic black mold can also cause:

• Asthma
• Seizures
• Heart problems
• Bleeding in lungs
• Nosebleeds and pulmonary hemorrhaging (especially in infants.)
• Development of rashes and hives on skin.
• Problems caused due to irritation in mucous membranes.
• Irregularity in blood pressure.
• Damage to the digestive and respiratory systems.
• Infections of urinary tract, problems in urination, etc.
• Pain in liver and other internal organs.
• Anaphylaxis on re-exposure to toxic molds

How Can Toxic Mold be Controlled?

As we mentioned earlier, molds are ubiquitous in nature, i.e. they are found everywhere - including your home and workplace, and hence it is nearly impossible to get rid of them. However, it is possible to control the growth of mold on surfaces by taking some precautionary measures which ensure that the conditions hospitable for mold growth don't occur in the first place. Discussed below are some simple measures which will help you do away with mold, and the health hazards they pose.

• Moisture is one of the most important factors when it comes to mold growth, and thus the best way to keep a check on mold growth is to keep a check on the humidity levels within your home.
• Dehumidification as and when required can help you keep a check on the humidity levels, while monitoring Relative humidity will help you find out when you will need to dehumidify your building/house.
• If there is any water leakage/intrusion, pipe leak, roof leak, condensation problem, etc., it should be promptly repaired.
• You will have to ensure that the air conditioners, HVAC systems, and air/ventilation ducts are clean, as the mold formed in these systems usually goes unnoticed and therefore is more dangerous.
• Bathrooms are the most prone places for mold formation and growth, and therefore you should clean the tiles, curtains and appliances inside the bathroom regularly to avoid mold infestation.
• Use of air purifiers to cleanse the air inside your house is yet another option to tackle mold infestation as these air purifiers help in reducing the airborne particles of mold spores.
• You can also resort to some paints/anti-mold products available in the market as these products can resist moisture to a certain extent, and help in prevention of mold.

In conclusion, it is very important to monitor the humidity levels in your surroundings and take necessary precautions to make sure that you don't provide haven for molds by leaving damp corners in your house. If you live in some area wherein high humidity levels prevail, then you need to keep an eye for black mold growth and health hazards associated with it.