MOLD. A four letter word that is foreign to most people. What is it? Is it harmful? Where did it come from? How do we eliminate it? Mold is natural to the environment and found everywhere. There are hundreds of thousands of species of mold and fungus and not all are bad. In some cases, mold is beneficial. Take penicillin for example. A potent, lifesaving antibiotic that was created by accident in a petri dish in 1928. Egyptians used molded bread to treat infections in Ancient times. And of course who doesn’t like a little blue cheese with their chicken wings? But in all seriousness, if you have a type of mold/fungus that is harmful, too high of a concentration or it’s growing in a place that it shouldn’t be, then that’s where you need to reach out to an expert.
Mold can form and thrive on any type of organic material where moisture is present. It needs food, (substrate), water and time. Common household materials are wood, drywall, carpet, plywood, paper, fabrics and dust. Molds can also enter your home via crawlspace, windows, door and air ducts through air current. Mold is universal, however some can produce mycotoxins and cause serious health risks.
Common Effects of Mold Exposure:
- Asthma
- Fogginess/Memory Loss
- Eye infections or itching
- Nasal congestion
- Respiratory symptoms
- Skin Rashes
- Headaches
- Coughing/throat irritation
- Wheezing
- Nausea
In extreme cases, exposure to some molds can be carcinogenic or fatal.
How To Identify Mold
Mold in your home or business is tricky. Sometimes easily identified or it can be hidden from plain view. Testing, sampling and mold inspections from an experienced and qualified inspector could be the key to solving the mold riddle. Depending on symptoms you are experiencing and or what you are seeing, there may be several different ways to proceed. Molds are so numerous and they come in a multitude of colors and textures. Determining friend from foe requires a seasoned technician. Water intrusion correction and mold remediation recommendations from different contractors can vary drastically. They are generally estimated on a case by case basis therefore a company with proper training is imperative.
The team at Atlantic Corp. is trained and certified to safely identify and remove mold in homes and businesses. Contact us today if you think you have a mold problem.