Why Is Black Mold A Big Deal?
Black mold. The name alone sounds sinister, but why should we care about something as simple as a name? The word “spider” can also be a bit sinister, but North American spiders are by and large harmless and help out humans by eating bloodsucking insects and other pests. But while black mold may not be as dangerous as something like asbestos insulation or lead paint, it’s still a health hazard which you should minimize and treat as best as you can.
The Real Health Risks
The term “black mold” refers to an entire genus of fungi which grows in warm, damp places, and it especially loves dark places like crawlspaces and basements. Black mold is a health hazard because breathing in its spores can lead to an array of symptoms, including:
- Headache
- Chronic fatigue
- Coughing fits
- Eye irritation
- Nose, mouth, and throat irritation
- Sneezing
Extreme reactions are unlikely since they demand both a heavy exposure to black mold spores and a strong allergy, but in such cases you may see such things as persistent nausea, vomiting, and coughing blood.
Outside of these exceptional circumstances, however, black mold exposure resembles nothing so much as a persistent cold which only goes away so long as you’re outside your home. But the symptoms do grow worse over time, and even if they didn’t, a person should never have to feel out of sorts just from living in his or her own home.
A Real Solution
If you feel like you’ve got a persistent cold which disappears while you’re at work or out shopping, then it’s likely that you have a mold problem which you need to address whether you’ve seen any black spots around your home or not. Mold is a very robust organism, and it doesn’t always grow where you can see it.
If you live in or near the state of Maryland, AA Action Waterproofing can help. Mold can only grow where there’s enough moisture, and so we’re often called in to first eliminate the source of moisture and then contain and decontaminate the affected areas. Spores are carried by the air and are designed specifically to spread as far and as wide as possible, which makes them hard to contain even for professionals. With our help, however, you can expect to see mold levels return to safe, ordinary levels, and that’s the best that anyone can hope for.