Types of Mold and Their Effects on Someone’s Health

Types of Mold and Their Effects on Someone’s Health

Molds are everywhere. They can be found in any place (either indoor or outdoor) with a lot of moisture. In homes and buildings, you may be able to find them in areas such as basements and crawl spaces and around leaks in pipes, roofs, and windows.

Experts in crawl space mold removal say that such fungi can grow on cardboard, ceiling tiles, paper products, and wood products. They can also survive in carpet, drywall, dust, fabric, insulation, paints, upholstery, and wallpaper.

Although molds don’t affect most people, they can be very harmful to those with a compromised immune system. To learn more about this, here are the common types of molds often found in homes and their effects on your health:

  • Stachybotrys
    Also known as black mold, stachybotrys is a toxigenic mold commonly found in ventilation systems and damp areas. It strives well on materials with high cellulose content and those low in nitrogen, such as wallboard, sheetrock, jute, and straw baskets.
    Exposure to stachybotrys or black mold poisoning can cause symptoms such as chronic coughing and sneezing, eye irritation, and rashes. Other people may also experience persistent headache and fatigue.
  • Penicillium
    This allergenic mold can be found anywhere with moisture, such as soil, decaying vegetation, and air. It is actually used in creating medicines like antibiotics. However, exposure to penicillium can cause allergies, asthma, breathing issues, and heart problems.
  • Aspergillus
    There are different species of aspergillus. Some of them are pathogenic, while others are toxigenic. They can be found in the air, HVAC systems, and buildings damaged by water.
    The pathogenic aspergillus is known to cause allergic reactions, asthma, lung infections, and respiratory irritation. On the other hand, the toxigenic aspergillus can create aflatoxins that are said to promote cancer growth.

Reach Out to Dry-Tek Environmental Today!

Many other types of mold can grow underneath your home aside from the ones listed above. But regardless of the kind of fungi present on your property, don’t hesitate to contact Dry-Tek Environmental for crawl space mold removal or crawl space mold remediation services. Contact us now to schedule an appointment and learn more about our offerings.