Mold Myth

8/20/2017 (Permalink)

Despite the myths perpetuated by the media in recent years, it is impossible to tell what types of mold are dangerous simply by looking at the color.  The so called “killer black mold” that made headlines for its dangerous health effects was Stachybotrys.  Mold has been around for millions of years and there is almost always a small amount of mold in the air and on many surfaces. All mold has the same biological structure, consisting of millions of tiny spores that bind together to create colonies.  These spores are what give each variant of mold its unique coloring.  Colors can range from black and brown to green, orange and yellow.  When disturbed, the colonies release spores into the air, which can affect those with allergies, asthma, chronic lung illnesses or compromised immune systems.  In those healthy individuals with normal immune systems, the effects are much milder.  More severe health effects attributed to what became known as killer black mold have not been proven according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).  All mold should be treated immediately as the long-term ramifications can be much more detrimental than short term exposure.  Mold growth should always be remediated by a trained, certified professional to properly treat the problem and avoid further spreading of the issue.  Here at SERVPRO of Mobile County, our technicians have been trained and certified in Mold Remediation and we follow IICRC and OSHA standards to ensure that your home is safe, healthy and mold free.