Frequently Asked Questions On Toxic Mold

Question: What is Toxic Mold?

Answer: Toxic Mold is mold that contains poisons in its spores, called mycotoxins that can adversely affect peoples health. The most worrisome mold is called Stachybotrys chartarum (also called Stachybotrys atra). It is greenish-black and thrives on material with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust, and lint. It grows in moist areas, with excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding.

Question: How hazardous are Toxic molds that grow in homes and buildings. Are there serious health risks?

Answer: The most serious hazard is presented by mold that contains mycotoxins that can cause health problems such as pulmonary hemorrhage or sick building syndrome and allergic symptoms. However, the vast majority of mold growing in the home or shower is a mere nuisance and does not pose any serious health risks. Severe reactions have occurred among workers exposed to mold in occupational settings.These reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. In rare cases, people with asthma or weak immune systems,or obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Question: How common is Stachybotrys (the dangerous mold) in homes and buildings?

Answer: While molds are very common in buildings and homes and will grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture, Stachybotrys chartarum relatively uncommon.

Question: How do toxic molds get started and grow?

A. Molds naturally occur and the mold spores may also enter the home through windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. The spores arrive on surfaces with moisture, they will grow, using the building materials as nutrients to reproduce. Stachybotrys mold lives on moist and water logged wood and paper, its grow in wallpaper, thermal insulation, fiberboard, dry wall, and gypsum board. It prefers all cellulose materials, including paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products. The mold requires constant moisture for its growth.

Question: When should people leave a home or other building because of toxic mold?

Answer: There have been many cases where homes have become uninhabitable because of mold. Most often the problem can be treated with aggressive removal and treatment. Obviously if people in the home are ill because of exposure to mold in a building, you should consider relocating while the mold is removed.

Question: Does Stachybotrys cause acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants?

Answer: Some researchers believe that pulmonary hemorrhage in infants has been caused by Stachybotrys chartarum. However, the instances of this condition are very rare and the connection is not well understood.

Question: How do you get rid of mold?

Answer: If the amount of mold is in a small area try killing and removing it with bleach and water. If there is an extensive amount of mold there are professional companies that specialize in removing mold from buildings and homes.

Question: How can lawyer help me if I have Mold?

Answer: Obviously you cannot take the mold to court. Most of the legal action has centered on insurance companies that do not pay for claims related to mold damage. A lawyer can help you get the money owed to you under an insurance policy if the insurer is refusing to pay. In other cases, if the occupant of a home or a worker has been seriously harmed by the presence of mold there may be a case against the building owner who failed to maintain the property.

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