The Truth About Black Mold

When homeowners see something black around their air vents or on the ceiling and walls, some automatically assume that it is “Black Mold”. However, all molds turn black when they die without a moisture source to keep them alive. It is imperative to understand the differences and the attributes of black mold before calling a in a specialist or attempting to remediate it.

Black Mold Actually Refers to a Specific Genus
I have received many phone calls over the years from panicked homeowners stating they have the infamous “black mold”. These phone calls have required me to inform the concerned homeowner that black mold is actually the genus of mold (fungi) known as Stachybotrys chartarum. Stachybotrys is a pathological mold which can be isolated as a contaminant from nature into the indoor environment. The location and distribution of Stachybotrys in the outdoors is wide spread. It has been isolated from contaminated grains, tobacco, insulator foams and water-damaged buildings to name a few.

Stachybotrys Can be Dangerous
Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin known as satratoxin. This mycotoxin is used in a sort of microbial warfare to help it compete against bacteria and other molds. Mycotoxins is believed to lead to pathological changes in animal and human tissues. Toxic effects which can be traced to mycotoxins exposure in humans which lead to serious illness have been well documented in scientific literature. Effects of heavy exposure to mold toxins are many, but just two of the more common effects are immuno suppression and liver cancer. It does take a large amount of inhaled spores to poison a person. Mycotoxins are also found to result in headaches, sore throats, hair loss, flu symptoms, diarrhea, fatigue, dermatitis, general malaise (tiredness) and psychological depression from short term exposures.

Assumptions Can be Equally Dangerous
The only way to know if someone has Stachybotrys is to send a sample of the suspected mold to a laboratory to be identified by a trained Mycologist. The reason why this step is so important is one should know what potential contaminant is present in their home. It does not mean that the mold contamination can not be remediated during laboratory testing. However, should a laboratory report later confirm that Stachybotrys was present then it is imperative that the entire indoor environment in the home be properly remediated as well as the original location of the mold itself.

Black Mold Must be Remediated Properly
Non-viable (dead) Stachybotrys spores can easily spread throughout the home. The human body cannot make the distinction between dead or viable (alive) mold spore. In fact, it is more likely that someone would inhale larger amounts of dead spores since they can become aerosolized during air movement. A dead or alive pathogenic mold such as Stachybotrys could actually grow in the throat or lung tissue if inhaled in sufficient quantities. Proper remediation protocols should be followed when attempting to remove these spores from an indoor environment. These protocols would include but would not be limited to:

  • complete HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Air) vacuuming of all hard and soft surfaces
  • washing all draperies and pillow covers
  • steam cleaning of carpeting
  • the daily use of HEPA air purifiers in affected rooms
  • wet mopping of vinyl and tile floors
  • detail cleaning of air conditioning and heating equipment to include a thorough duct cleaning

Summary
It is not enough just to kill Stachybotrys mold with a biocide disinfectant. The dead spores must be thoroughly removed from the indoor environment. It is highly recommended that a experienced contractor be hired for very large remediation projects while small projects can normally be handled by the homeowner with a HEPA vacuum and a lot of careful work.

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