Posted on: 8/17/2021

Molds are organisms that grow indoors as well as outdoors. Outside, they’re an important part of the ecosystem. Indoors, they can be problematic.

You’re likely to find mold growing in the darkest, dampest spaces. More than a cosmetic problem, mold can damage your home and contribute to health issues.

Let’s examine the types of mold you’re most likely to find in your home, the potential impact on your health, and how to get rid of it.

What exactly is mold, and what causes it?

Outside, molds help to break down plant and animal matter. As part of the fungi family, they release tiny spores that float through the air. These spores can enter your home via:

• doors
• windows
• heating and air conditioning vents
• clothing and shoes
• pets

Inside, mold spores can’t grow unless conditions are right. The spores can latch on to a variety of materials, including fabrics, carpet, paper, and wood. Mold prefers spaces with lots of moisture and little light, such as:

• in sinks, bathtubs, and showers
• near leaky pipes
• around windows
• in basements, crawl spaces, and attics

Types of mold

Multiple types of mold can grow in the same area, and you can’t always differentiate the mold without testing. Fortunately, you don’t need to know the type to get rid of it. The most common indoor molds are:

• Cladosporium. This mold is brown, green, or black. Cladosporium grows in both warm and cool locations. It’s most often found on wood, carpets, or fabrics, and in heating and cooling ducts.
• Penicillium. This fuzzy mold is blue, green, or yellow. It’s often found under carpets, in basements, and in insulation, especially when there’s been water damage.
• Aspergillus. Aspergillus is green, white, or gray with dark spots and a powdery look. This type of mold doesn’t need much ventilation. It thrives in fabrics, walls, attics, and basements, as well as on dry food items.

Although these molds aren’t found indoors as often as those listed above, you may still find them in your home:

• Alternaria. This fuzzy mold is white with black spots. It tends to grow in fabrics and wallpaper, near windows and air conditioners, and in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Aureobasidium. This mold is pink with black spots. It’s most commonly found on wood, walls, caulking, and grout.
• Stachybotrys chartarum. Also called black mold, this greenish-black mold grows on things with a high cellulose content. It’s usually found on paper, fiberboard, and gypsum board.
• Trichoderma. This mold is creamy-white, but turns green when it releases spores. It’s often found on wood, windows, and in bathrooms and kitchens.

What are the signs of mold?

Mold starts out as a little spot but expands quickly. You’ll usually notice it early on, unless it’s in an out-of-the-way location.

Mold can be black, white, spotted, or just about any color, and may appear powdery, cottony, or velvety.

If you notice a spot and aren’t sure if it’s just an old stain or a splotch of dirt, here’s how to tell if it could be a sign of mold:

• It has a musty, earthy smell.
• There’s a nearby source of moisture, but not much light.
• You see warping, cracking, or peeling of whatever material it’s growing on.
• A drop of bleach lightens its color in a minute or two.
• Unchecked, mold will continue to grow. Dirt and old stains won’t.

Can you get sick from having mold in your home?

Having mold in your home won’t necessarily make you sick. But it does have the potential to cause certain health issues.

Touching or inhaling mold spores can cause allergy-type symptoms such as:

• runny nose and congestion
• eye irritation
• sneezing
• coughing
• sore throat
• skin rash
• headache
• lung irritation
• wheezing

You may be a higher risk for complications like infection if you have conditions such as:

• allergies
• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• compromised immune system
• cystic fibrosis

In people with asthma, an allergic reaction to mold can trigger an attack. They may need inhalers to manage symptoms.

Exposure to a large amount of mold can cause a more serious reaction. This type of exposure is usually due to occupational or workplace hazards rather than from exposure to mold in your home.

Original Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/mold-in-house#health-effects