Mold plays a huge role in our ecosystem and has since the beginning of time. We recommend checking your attic occasionally for the appearance of white mold or a musty smell. You can get a simple square inch of mold and have over 20,000 spores or more in it. Mold Implications for Our Wellness. Click to see full answer. Is black mold on my walls bad? Efflorescence is a white salt deposit commonly seen on concrete floors. Mold isn't just a problem for organic materials - it can easily grow on concrete, producing dangerous acids that severely weaken concrete over time. You can do the clean-up by yourself unless the size of the mold is large reaching more than three square feet and the area is hard to clean. Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. White mold should be removed as soon as possible to avoid health risks and structural damage. Outdoor mold is literally everywhere. A patio infested by fungus will make the bricks, pavers or concrete to appear stained and discolored. Dangers From Mold in the Home. More specifically, while some may not experience any problems when they come in contact with the fungi, others could be allergic. Many homeowners are not fully aware of the extent of the dangers, however. There are times when efflorescence is mistaken for white mold. Black mold is generally more dangerous than green mold. Mould and damp are caused by excess moisture. Rather, drywall, wood, or insulation are the more common areas that mold grows. According to Andy Nitkowski, owner of Pro Wash Services, mold and mildew on the outside of your home can be just as dangerous. It is present virtually everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. When you think of mold growth, it is unlike that concrete is the first surface to come to mind. Red mold is usually harmless if you’re in good health. Finding mold in your residential or commercial property is problematic because of the way it can damage your property and how it can harm the health of anyone exposed to it. You can get some real good infections in the eyes if mold spores are bad enough and in high enough concentrations and come into contact with your eye. Of course, these are not the only signs that you need to watch out for – they are just the most common and easily noticeable. This fungus spore is always attached to a young leaf, where it germinates and grows, spreading to other parts of plants quickly. Some basement mold may be more toxic than others, including black molds, according to Better Health USA 2. Efflorescence is not dangerous. Even milder forms of white mold can endanger your health. While the mold is considered harmless when deliberately cultivated on edible blue cheese, it is known to produce dangerous toxic compounds when growing on spoiled foods, walls, insulation, etc. Mold regularly grows in basements that have even the most minor water leaks, and it can have adverse health effects on the entire family. However the former is a crystal located on concrete and stonework frameworks just, meaning that if the sensation appears elsewhere it’s most likely to be white mold. Getting rid of mold on concrete is a relatively easy […] Blue mold, as the name implies, is the bluish or greenish fungus belonged to the Penicillium genus–the same type used to make the antibiotic penicillin. There are variations in mold, so it’s important to recognize which ones are harmful and which ones are not. Eliminating mold from attics can be particularly tricky due to the tight spaces. How to Get Rid of White Mold Infested at Your Home. Mold is a form of fungus that often grows in wooden houses when the conditions are damp and favorable enough for their growth, but wood isn’t the only surface on which it grows. It isn’t going anywhere. How to recognize cosmetic or harmless Ceratocystis or Ophistoma "bluestain" mold indoors.. White mold in basements frequently grows on concrete walls, wooden floor … How Dangerous is Mold? Dangers of mold exposure, how to properly remove mold. Since some people don’t realize that white mold is mold, it may put them at risk for extended periods. You’ve probably heard at least a little about the dangers of mold in the home, especially certain types of mold, like Stachybotrys chartarum (sometimes referred to as black mold or toxic mold). Photographs of harmless cosmetic black mold on indoor surfaces. But if you’re sensitive or allergic to mold, exposure can cause problems like respiratory distress. A mold sampling protocol can help you identify dangerous mold. All types of mold, including white mold can cause health problems. More importantly, we’ll tell you which ones are toxic and dangerous. How to tell the difference between white mold and efflorescence. While mold grows and spreads, efflorescence doesn’t. Mold are usually dangerous when they grow anywhere in your home. It can pop up anywhere water has soaked in and rested for a period of time. August 31, 2007. A mold or mould (UK / NZ / AU / ZA / IN / CA / IE) is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Efflorescence occurs when water moves through a masonry structure, bringing unbounded salts to the surface. Mold is visible – mold in its early stages tend to grow unnoticed. There are different types of mold which can be surprising to a lot of people. Some molds have a reddish appearance in a certain stage of its growth and life. Dangers.Mold spores can cause many types of health risks, especially to those susceptible to allergies and respiratory problems (such as asthma), and they can cause inflammatory rashes, headaches, and other flu-like symptoms. The only way to tell whether the mold is bad or not is to have it tested by a qualified mycologist (i.e., a person who is qualified to correctly identify yeasts and molds). According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), molds that produce mycotoxins can cause illness. Molds are a large and taxonomically diverse number of fungal species in which the growth of hyphae results in discoloration and a fuzzy appearance, especially on food. White mold is a term that applies to many species of mold which can grow in homes. White Mold Or Efflorescence? Mold and mildew can lead to allergies and illnesses that may be difficult to treat. Most exterior molds appear as large patches of green, but you may notice areas of black mold. The USDA explains that "mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain molds found primarily in grain and nut crops, but are also known to be on celery, grape juice, apples, and other produce. White fuzzy mold has another name, which is powder mildew. Efflorescence is a deposit of salts in crystalline form and is mostly seen on the exterior of new buildings. Is White Mold Dangerous? In fact, under the right circumstances, mold can easily grow on concrete and even metal. Mould may grow indoors in wet or moist areas lacking adequate ventilation, including walls/ wallpaper, ceilings, bathroom tiles, carpets (especially those with jute backing), insulation material and wood. Mold is a lurking danger that can be found in many homes. Just like any other mold, the fungus has the so-called hypha which is the filamentous structure that can have a color in it. Of course, you want to solve this problem that you’re having. 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