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Symptoms of Breathing Black Mold

You've probably heard about the dangers of black mold, and you may be wondering if you've been exposed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the consequences of exposure to black mold have been exaggerated for most people, but for some, the danger is real. You should be familiar with the symptoms so you'll recognize them if they appear in your family.

  1. Identification

    • Black mold, or sometimes toxic black mold, is the common name used to refer to Stachybotrys chartarum. This is a specific type of mold spore which grows on materials containing cellulose, such as sheetrock or wood, in the presence of constant moisture. Many types of mold are black but are not necessarily "black mold." Stachybotrys mold is actually a greenish-black.

    Significance

    • Early reports about black mold reassured the public that only one to three percent of houses had the toxic spores. However, in 1997, Susan Flappan, an environmental health specialist with Children's Mercy Hospital, found Stachybotrys spores in 30 to 40 percent of the patients' homes she studied. While absolute numbers aren't known, it seems clear that black mold could be a larger problem than first theorized. It makes sense to be familiar with the symptoms of mold exposure so you'll recognize them if they crop up in your family.

    Symptoms

    • The most common symptoms of exposure to black mold are similar to symptoms of the cold or flu, which can make them difficult to recognize. You may experience headaches or a sore throat, diarrhea, constant fatigue or a general feeling of illness. In some cases, you may develop hair or skin issues, such as hair loss or a rash.

      The way to tell these symptoms are not simply a cold or flu is that they will not go away over time. You may experience them worsening and lessening, but that may be related to how much time you're spending in your home rather than a continual improvement of symptoms.

    Complications

    • Exposure to black mold becomes more of a problem in those with allergies, asthma or lung disease. In these people, exposure may lead to respiratory problems such as coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. It may exacerbate existing conditions, so it may be seen as a worsening of the original problem rather than related to mold exposure.

      Some cases of idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage, which means bleeding lungs, in infants have reportedly been linked to black mold exposure. According to the CDC, this link has not been proved, and further study needs to be done.

    Prevention/Solution

    • If you have a problem with mold, it means you have excess moisture from somewhere. Your first step is to determine where that is and fix the problem so your mold won't simply come back.

      According to the CDC, black mold can be cleaned in the same way as any mold, using a solution of one cup of bleach in a gallon of water. This will work on hard surfaces. Porous or absorbent surfaces, such as carpet, will probably need to be thrown away. It's important to get rid of all the mold spores, because even dead spores can cause allergic reactions. Be sure to have lots of ventilation, wear gloves and safety goggles and never mix bleach with ammonia. If you're unsure how to proceed, you may want to call a professional.

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