Black Mold Associated With Health Problems

Although there are many varieties of mold that are benign or even beneficial (for example, molds used to produce bleu cheese and penicillin), some are very toxic to humans and pets.  Many common health problems including some that are very severe, have been related to living or working in an environment that is contaminated with mold.  One of the worst is the black mold known as Stachybotrys atra, a member of a family of molds that produce airborne mycotoxins which can cause serious breathing difficulties, memory and hearing loss, dizziness, flulike symptoms, and bleeding in the lungs.

Other Molds Associated With Health Problems

While the black molds of the genus Stachybotrys are the most commonly publicized with regards to health effects, the truth is that Stachybotrys is rarely present in the home. These molds require very specific conditions in which to thrive, and they do not compete well with other molds for food or moisture. There are many thousands of species of molds that are known to man, many of which will out compete Stachybotrys. Some of the most common are the molds of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium.

Health Effects Due to Molds

Some of the most common health effects that can be caused by exposure to molds and their mycotoxins are allergies, asthma, skin rashed, fatigue, depressions, unexplained irritability, coughing, flu-like symptoms, nausea, sneezing, runny nose, stuffiness. More severe symptoms can be bloodly nose, chronic headaches, loss of memory, hearing or sight; and loss of equilibrium. If you are experiencing any of these or a combination of these symptoms, and you have not been able to get relief, you should see you doctor. If the conditions persist, you may have a mold problem in you home or workplace.