Mold is an organic substance that grows on various surfaces and feeds off of plant and animal-based materials. Mold can grow in warm, moist environments and when it does, it can be very harmful to humans and animals (1). As such, it’s important to know how to spot mold and what to do if you find some growing in your home or office (2). Here are three common misconceptions about mold that many people tend to think are true but are actually not so.
Misconception #1: Bleach Destroys Mold
While household bleach can kill mold on non-porous surfaces, it is a very inefficient way to rid your home of mold. Bleach only works on surfaces that are exposed, like tile and vinyl floors. However, mold can be hidden in walls, baseboards and behind wall coverings; bleach cannot reach these areas to kill off your mold problem. Additionally, if you use bleach in an area with visible mold, you could accidentally spread it over an even larger area as spores release into the air. This makes remediation much more difficult as you now have to disinfect a larger space than what was initially impacted by your toxicant. If you do need to clean something with bleach, remember not to mix chlorine products such as bleach with ammonia products such as Windex or all-purpose cleaners. Mixing chlorine and ammonia together will cause a toxic reaction known as chloramine. This mixture will produce highly carcinogenic toxins which can cause serious respiratory distress when inhaled. If using bleach or any other cleaning agent on anything porous (masonry, carpeting, wood) always be sure there is good ventilation throughout your entire home so no harmful fumes build up.
Misconception #2: You Only Worry About Toxic Black Mold
While it’s true that toxic black mold is dangerous, all mold can pose health risks. Toxic black mold is particularly dangerous because of its ability to cause serious illness and worsen chronic conditions in some individuals. The other types of mold may not be as hazardous, but they can still contribute to allergies and poor air quality in your home or workplace. For example, Stachybotrys chartarum (which releases mycotoxins into the environment) has been found to damage neurons in infants under six months old. Allergic reactions from inhaling airborne mold spores also affect children’s lung function when levels of spores are above .01% within an indoor space.
However, these types of mold can still be dangerous to those with existing respiratory conditions. For example, allergies can develop from inhaling mold spores, and black mold can worsen asthmatic symptoms.
Misconception #3: Your Home Should Be Completely Mold-Free
Though there are some species of mold that can make you sick if you breathe in their spores, most molds won’t hurt you if they just live on your drywall or carpet. These mold spores can still cause allergies, which is why it’s important to seal off and clean up any leaks in your home—but don’t worry about having a totally mold-free household! Most homes have some level of mold spores floating around in them naturally; if your house didn’t, we’d probably be concerned about its structural integrity.
Another misconception is that certain types of fungi need moisture to grow, so only humid environments host harmful fungi. Although many fungi do require high humidity to grow, not all do. If a home has cracks, (i.e., water damage) these help provide room for growth regardless of humidity levels inside your house. So look for mold during dry spells too!
And finally, if you think you see mold but aren’t sure what kind it is or where it came from—don’t panic! Just have us inspect it and find out more about your situation. We can help inform you about specific health risks that come with living in an environment with certain molds—and what you can do to prevent them or limit their effects on you and your family members.