The mycotoxins of toxic black mould cause people to suffer toxic symptoms. The general types of symptoms caused by toxic black mould include:
Never try to remove toxic black mould on your own. Disturbing toxic black mould can make it release huge amounts of spores and mycotoxins throughout your home, making your symptoms much worse.
If you have toxic black mould in your home you should talk to a professional mould removal service experienced in removing toxic black mould. They should be able to remove the mould with minimal disturbance, while also containing spores and mycotoxins. It's also best to move to temporary accommodation until the toxic black mould removal has been completed, so as to avoid further damage to your health.
Where Toxic Black Mould Grows and What Causes It
Toxic black mould grows best in warm conditions and is found in many countries throughout the world. Outdoors, toxic black mould grows in soil and on plant debris. Indoors, toxic black mould needs materials high in cellulose and low in nitrogen to grow on. This means toxic black mould can grow on many common indoor building materials.
When toxic black mould does grow in the home it's usually in a place out of sight. Toxic black mould needs a lot of moisture for a long time before it can begin to grow. This is why it often grows where there has been water leaking hidden from view. Leaks inside walls, above ceilings or under floors are common causes of toxic black mould.
How Long Before Toxic Black Mould Grows
Toxic black mould does not grow as quickly or as easily as most moulds. Toxic black mould needs a suitable material to be very wet for at least a week before it can begin to grow.
While most moulds take just one or two days to colonize, toxic black mould usually needs eight to twelve days. Once toxic black mould is growing though it usually forces out any other moulds growing nearby and takes over its environment.
Toxic Black Mould Mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are carried on the spores of toxic black mould and are also found throughout the entire mould colony. People with toxic black mould in their homes are mostly exposed to mycotoxins through breathing them in. This leads to toxic symptoms and health problems.
Toxic black mould produces trichothecene mycotoxins. These are some of the most toxic and stable mycotoxins. Trichothecene mycotoxins can take several years to break down and can be nearly impossible to remove from homes.
Mycotoxins have general information on mycotoxins produced by different species of toxic moulds.
Trichothecene Mycotoxins has information on the family of mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys.
Toxic Black Mould Spores and Mycotoxins talks specifically about the spores and mycotoxins which Stachybotrys produces.
Toxic Black Mould Testing
If you find mould in your home which looks like toxic black mould you should have it professionally tested to be certain. It's important that you determine whether it's mycotoxin-producing toxic black mould or a non-toxic species of mould. After a professional inspection has been carried out, you can then plan how to remove it.
Toxic Black Mould Inspection
If you suspect you have toxic black mould in your home, you should have an inspection performed. Some reasons to think that you might have toxic black mould include you are suffering toxic symptoms, you have had bad water damage or you have already found a toxic black mould colony and think there could be more. When having an inspection you should not only try to find the mould colony but also the water problem which caused it.
It's best to hire a professional mould inspector to find toxic black mould. Toxic black mould often grows in hidden places and professional mould inspectors can use tools such as moisture meters and fibre optics to find hidden mould with minimal disturbance to your home.
Things to look out for during th
e mould inspection include mould odours, water damaged materials and signs of moisture such as warped walls and peeling paint. Areas where water flows, such as around pipes, and where potential water leaks can occur should especially be checked.
Toxic Black Mould Treatment
There is no cure or antidote which can be taken for toxic black mould. The only solution is to remove the toxic black mould from your environment or remove yourself from the environment. Once you are away from toxic black mould your body will start to recover and most of your symptoms should go away over time. However some of the damage from toxic black mould can be permanent.