How do I know if my black mold is the toxic kind (stachybotrys)?
You cannot tell by visual examination, because not all black molds are the kind that is toxic to humans. For instance, toxic black mold cannot grow on ceramic tile, so if your shower has black mold in it, it is unlikely that it is the toxic kind. However, black mold growing on most other surfaces in a home, such as wood, drywall, carpet, or plaster, may well be stachybotrys chartarum. A sizable area of mold should be tested by a laboratory; it is the only way to know for certain. How can an attorney help me? If you are allergic to pollen, legal rights won’t help you. But if you get sick from a substance that grows in your home when it shouldn’t, you do have legal rights. There are design and construction standards in place that are meant to keep a home healthy and safe. And in many states, there are real estate guidelines protecting home buyers, requiring a home’s previous owner to disclose such defects as mold contamination. If there is excessive moisture in your home allowing toxic b
