What is toxic mold?
It is many experts’ opinions that all mold is harmful to humans. Accordingly, all mold may be “toxic” to humans. Most discussions center around Stachybotrys or “black mold.” However, it is important to note that Stachybotrys is not the only toxic or harmful mold. Other toxic and harmful molds which are associated with water damaged building materials inside of buildings include without limitation Aspergillus, Penicillium, Chaetomium, and Ulocladium.
While the existence of toxic molds in the environment has been documented for centuries, due to modern construction practices, poor quality control and a lack of proper maintenance, they are now linked to illnesses and other medical disorders that are affecting the lives of families across the continent. Most of the attention regarding toxic molds has been focused on the compromised health and shattered lives of the home’s occupants along with the inevitable litigation that follows. What has been missing throughout all this firestorm of media activity is discussion regarding the conditions contributing to toxic mold manifestation. There are many factors leading to fungal development within a structure. The primary cause is water intrusion; a fungal contamination requires several conditions in order to survive and grow. There must be a moisture source, limited ventilation and a food source that is commonly any cellulose substrate on which the fungal contamination can grow on and become
