Is Green Mold Dangerous? Contrary to popular belief, black mold is not the only harmful mold for people and pets. While black mold may seem more dangerous, its green counterpart is just as likely to cause health issues.
It favors moist, humid conditions. While there are many types of mold including mildew, both black mold and toxic black mold spores pose the greatest risk and are most difficult to treat.
While both types of mold pose risks, black mold is particularly notorious for its severe health implications. Therefore, if you suspect the presence of either mold type in your home, immediate investigation and removal are essential.
Stachybotrys is an intensely dangerous fungus, also known as black mold. Mold species under this genus produce mycotoxins wherever they are disturbed, which can cause serious infections.
Can breathing in green mold make you sick? Yes, toxic species of green mold can cause difficulty breathing, watery eyes, swollen throat, coughing, and runny nose. They can even cause severe respiratory problems, cancer, and infections.
It's Dangerous to Sleep In A Mouldy Room
Indoor mould is dangerous because it spreads rapidly, but it's even more dangerous if it's in your bedroom.
Exposure to these mycotoxins can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and in severe cases, neurological damage.
The odor is often described as earthy or damp, similar to rotting wood or paper, and generally pungent and unpleasant. If you notice a persistent musty smell in your home, especially in areas prone to moisture, it could be a sign of toxic black mold growth.
Although the name implies a uniform coloring, black mold may appear black, dark green, or dark brown. It typically grows as a cluster of round spots with a distinctly wet, slimy appearance. As stated, black mold typically appears fuzzy or furry.
Non-toxic black molds include Ulocladium, Pithomyces, Stemphylium, Dresclera, Alternaria and Aureobasidium, but the most common kind of non-toxic black mold is Cladosporium.
While not all green molds are harmful, some species, such as Aspergillus and Penicillium, can cause allergic reactions and respiratory issues in sensitive individuals[^2^]. Prolonged exposure to these molds can lead to more severe health problems, so it's crucial to address any mold growth promptly.
A patch of mold that starts out green may darken and turn black as it ages. A species of mold may be green if growing in one environment, but be black in another environment. Color usually isn't a reliable way to determine mold species or risk.
Black, greenish, or gray mold is common, but it can also appear brown, purple, white, orange, yellow, pink, red, or a mixture. When it comes to identifying mold types, the color of the mold in your home won't tell you anything. No matter what you'll read about white mold vs. black mold vs.
Thus, exposure to the toxicity of black mold can cause harm to our physical health. Cleaning it yourself risks a greatly increased chance of acquiring damaging health conditions by unsettling the toxins into the air. Depending on the frequency of mold exposure, an individual's health can be severely compromised.
So, always wear gloves, goggles, and an N-95 mask before starting the cleanup. Next, mix a solution of one part bleach to four parts water and spray it onto the moldy area. Let it sit for about 15 minutes to kill the mold spores. After that, scrub the surface with a stiff brush, getting into all the nooks and crannies.
Black mold can cause health problems. As such, it is not advisable to be in a house with black mold. If a person must stay in a house with black mold, they should try to seal off any areas where black mold is present to reduce contact with it.
Unfortunately, mould does not go away on its own. Regardless of whether mould is in the viable or non-viable stage, it is still harmful and must be removed properly using specialist mould removal products and ventilation.
mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem. Use the diagram on the facing page to assess the extent of mold in your home.
It irritates the nose and throat, which can lead to both sneezing and coughing as your body tries to get rid of the irritant. Inhaling mold spores can also trigger coughing in people with allergies or an asthma attack, for those with asthma.
Aureobasidium
This yeast-type fungus can be mistaken for another more sinister and dangerous mold but is far less likely to make you sick. Aureobasidium can start as a slimy pink color, but it will turn brown or black and can look like black mold.
According to the CDC, people usually experience their first symptoms within 2 to 9 hours of their first exposure. On the other hand, some people could go for weeks or months before feeling sick if their exposure is limited enough. This is why it is also important to check damp, dark areas of your home for mold.
Sometimes black mold can have a dark green or blue hue to it. Mold spores can spread out over a surface like black polka dots or sit close together in a large blob depending on how concentrated the mold buildup is.
It can be easily spotted by its usually vivid, blue-green, or yellow color and it's velvety texture. Some types produce penicillin, which humans have used as a potent antibiotic for years. It's also very commonly found on many types of food.