The Scary Reality of Mold

Mold 101: What is Mold and Where to Find It

Winter is the prime growing season for mold indoors — the heat is cranked up, and excessive moisture in the air and on walls and ceilings creates the perfect storm of mold growth. Mold is typically recognizable by blackish-green spores, but different kinds of mold can look different. Here are some common kinds of mold:

• Acremonium – Mold can be identified by orange, white, gray, or even pink color. If caught early on, the mold may appear moist but is more powdery in later stages of life.
• Alternaria – A dark green mold typically found in wet spades like showers and sinks.
• Fusarium – This mold has a red or sometimes white hue. This is one of the more serious kinds of mold and should be dealt with professionally.
• Penicillium – Penicillium (i.e., the source of penicillin) shows up in blue or green shades and will often be found near water damage.
• Stachybotrys – Also known as “Black Mold,” this is the most infamous and dangerous kind of mold you may encounter.

Is mold serious?

There are different levels of severity and toxicity in molds. Mold is sorted into three categories based on this: Allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic.

Allergenic Mold

Allergenic mold is the classification of mold that causes allergic reactions. While not deadly (to most), allergenic molds are a nuisance at best.

Pathogenic Mold

This category of mold causes infections — even in those with good health. The genus Aspergillus (most commonly found in hospitals) is one example of this category.

Toxigenic Mold

According to IQAir, toxigenic mold is named incorrectly as the mold itself isn’t toxic. These species of mold create “chemical metabolic byproducts” commonly referred to as mycotoxins. These chemicals tag along with mold spores to travel through the air — when inhaled, it can cause a toxic response in both animals and humans.

The mold remediation team at TLC Drain & Sewer can help you live mold-free this winter! Contact our team online or by phone at [hls_phone_number] to speak to a member of our staff.