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The growth of "toxic mold" is a critical problem here in the Carolinas where moisture hastens its growth. Exposure to mold growth in residential, public and commercial buildings is causing serious medical conditions and in some cases, death. It’s so serious that it has been dubbed, The Silent Killer. In addition to its adverse health affects, property damage from mold growth has destroyed millions of dollars in real estate and forced homeowners to the curb. New homeowners and renters beware.
Molds are simply, microscopic organisms, found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. They readily enter indoor environments by circulating through doorways, windows, healing, ventilation systems, and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air also deposit on people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags, and pets common carriers of mold into indoor environments. Floating particles of mold are invisible to the naked eye, so it’s impossible to see where they might have landed unless they begin to grow. Loose mold particles that accumulate on items within a house are easily inhaled and can be a constant irritation to the people and pets that live there. Toxic mold is a type of indoor mold that has the potential to produce extremely potent toxins called mycotoxins. The intestinal lining, airways, and skin readily absorb mycotoxins. In general, the presence of these molds indicates a long-standing water problem. Many building materials including, wet cellulose materials, paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products provide suitable nutrients for mycotoxin growth. Other materials such as dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation materials, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery, commonly lead to mold growth. The toxic mold we inhale the most is Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra. This slimy, greenish-black mold grows on moisture-laden materials that contain a high cellulose and low nitrogen content, such as fiberboard, gypsum board, paper, dust and lint. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, or water infiltration.
Everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis without evident harm. Mold spores primarily cause health problems when they enter the air and are inhaled in large quantities. Individuals with asthma and other respiratory problems may have reactions to many types of mold. Mycotoxins are more likely to trigger health problems in healthy individuals as well. These toxins are linked to memory loss and to severe lung problems in infants and the elderly. The toxic effects of mold exposure are thought to be associated with exposure to toxins on the surface of the mold spores, not with the growth of the mold in the body.
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