Think of mold, and you'll probably wrinkle up your nose in disgust. Even though the term seems to bring up unpleasant visuals in the mind, in itself it's actually a necessary component of the cycle of life. Actually, there are over 3000 species of this fungus. Many of them are quite beneficial to all sorts of life forms. They help to decompose all kinds of organic material, which in turn makes it more accessible to other life forms that can reuse it in order to survive. Think about how beneficial compost is for your garden. It couldn't happen without mold to break down the ingredients in your compost bin.
However, there are also certain fungi that are hazardous to humans, and even life threatening. These organisms are called toxic mold, and can result in a range of maladies from allergic reactions to irritation in the mucous membranes. The organisms have varying effects depending on the individual, and that makes it easy to mistake the symptoms they produce for various other health conditions. They can result in respiratory difficulties such as wheezing. They can also produce a sore throat, nasal congestion, fever, skin problems, or chronic fatigue. As well, they can result in serious allergic reactions, not to mention a condition called Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome. These insidious particles can even cause a potentially fatal lung disease known as Aspergillosis, the symptoms of which are chest pain, cough and fever.
Mycotoxins are the underlying reason for the ailments that people experience as a result of black mold. Essentially, these are poisonous particles made by fungi. When an individual breathes in or ingests fungal spores, the toxins penetrate the body and start to attack it.
If you're a homeowner and concerned about toxic mold lurking in your house, you need to look carefully in the particular places where it prefers to hide. Fungi thrive in moist environments. For example, a poorly ventilated bathroom presents ideal surroundings. So do leaky water pipes. And if your roof leaks, inspect the attic and ceilings for black patches. And if your basement has flooded, you're sure to notice the distinctive aroma this organism produces as it multiplies in the dark, damp environment.
If you have a strong suspicion that toxic mold is taking over your house, don't delay in having it removed. The problem will only get worse, and the cost of removal will be higher the longer you wait. Most importantly, though, you don't want to put the lives of you and your family at risk.
Autor: Justin Mann
House mold can be an easy thing to get rid of, but if left untreated, it can be very dangerous. Not only can it cause considerable damage to your home, it also has serious health effects that can be life threatening. Learn more about house mold at the DIY Home Improvement Site.
Added: July 15, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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