Molds

What is Aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin is a cancer-causing poison produced by certain fungi in or on foods and feeds, especially in field corn and peanuts.

Common foodborne molds

Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Monilia, Manoscus, Mortierella, Mucor, Neurospora, Oidium, Oosproa, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Thamnidium

Protecting Yourself

Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. Wear gloves. Wear goggles.

Immune System

Everyone's reaction to mold exposure will be different due to the capabilities of their immune systems to fight off environmental pathogens. However, whether your immune system provides strong or weak protection against mold's effects, environmental pathogens will wear down the immune system over time.

Take the following steps when mold is spotted or suspected:

Stop the mold growth by finding and repairing the source of the excess moisture. Dry all items within 24-48 hours. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, then dry. Placing discarded items in plastic trash bags before moving them will help prevent spreading mold spores throughout the house. Use of HEPA filters in your furnace will help eliminate many mold spores that have become airborne due to the cleaning process.

What is the difference between bacteria and mold?

Unlike bacteria that are one-celled, molds are made of many cells and can sometimes be seen with the naked eye. Under a microscope, they look like skinny mushrooms. In many molds, the body consists of: root threads that invade the food it lives on, a stalk rising above the food, and spores that form at the ends of the stalks.

What gives mold its color?

the spores

How is mold classified?

Mold has been classified as a carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substance by both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the effects can differ from person to person

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungi that grows in multicellular structures called hyphae.

Time of Mold Exposure

Mold particulates have the capability to build up in the human body. The longer you live in a mold-contaminated environment, the higher mold exposure risk factors become.

Mold Spore Levels

Mold-allergy symptoms can be intensified by a high concentration of mold spores, even non-prolonged exposure can induce severe symptoms when the amount present is above a certain range. This elevated spore count is determined by an inspector when the indoor mold-spore levels are higher than those naturally present outside.

Mold Toxins

Species of mold, like Stachybotrys (black mold), are capable of emitting dangerous substances known as mycotoxins, they are the reason mold is classified as a carcinogen by both the CDC and the EPA.

What does mold smell like?

There are many words that could be used to describe the smell of mold -- usually it's a wet, musty and stale odor.

How many types of mold?

estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps 300,000 or more

How are mold spores transmitted?

spores can be transported by air, water, or insects