Biggest misconceptions about black mould
There’s a word I’m seeing thrown around a lot more recently: “Black Mould”
And I’m going to explain to you why we need to change this terminology.
The reason I don’t believe in using the term ‘black mould’ to describe toxic moulds is this: not all toxic mould are black! For example, Acremonium may appear as a fluffy white mould and may be very toxic to humans. Aspergillus is often green and white and is associated with many adverse health effects. We can also get pink, grey, yellow, red, and so many different colours in between!
Could we be dismissing a large proportion of toxic mould in our homes, simply because they do not look like black mould?
What is black mould, really?
Commonly, black mould is referred to as the toxic mycotoxin producing genus of mould, Stachybotrys. Now, it is important to understand there are other mould which can appear black. Take Aspergillus for example, which we previously noted can appear white or green. In certain circumstances, it can also appear black! Cladosporium can also appear black, as can countless other genus and species of moulds.
So let’s rephrase what black mould is: “Black mould is any mould which appears black.”
The colour does not determine the type of mould. In fact, the only way to accurately know what type (genus/species) is to conduct sampling and analysis with specialised microscopy techniques.
The colour is not related to the toxicity of the mould, as each mould will produce differing mycotoxins. And mycotoxins are what is inhaled and can lead to adverse health effects in our bodies.
When people as “is black mould dangerous?” my response is: it depends! And the only way to know which mould you are dealing with, and ultimately which mycotoxins you are exposed to is to conduct mould testing {LINK}.
Concerns over human health and mould is extended to all known mycotoxin producing moulds in the building biology field of study. In fact, we extend it further to all water damage, but more on that in another blog.
For now, I’ll be referring to toxic mould as the main 5 mycotoxin producing moulds we see in our homes in Australia:
Penecillium
Aspergillus
Cladosporium
Chaetomium
Stachybotris
Black mould health risks
The term black mould has a heavy, dark association with it. And no doubt that is due to the adverse health effects commonly associated with Stachybotrys.
Stachybotrys alone is associated with symptoms of:
· Allergic diseases
· Headaches
· Fatigue
· Dermatitis
· Respiratory infections
· Bleeding and toxic encephalopathy: tremors, memory loss, brain fog (1)
While general toxic mould exposure is associated with symptoms of:
· Respiratory infections
· Asthma
· Chronic fatigue like symptoms
· Neurological effects
· Allergies (1)
And there are many more symptoms associated with other types of moulds and their mycotoxins. Head on over to our blog on mould health effects to read more, and talk to your health care provider if you have concerns.
Find someone who is well informed in mould related illnesses and will listen to your concerns about mould.
How does mould grow?
In order for mould to grow, whether it be black or another colour, there needs to be certain conditions. When the is moisture, a food source and a mould spore, mould will inevitably grow. The most common food source is cellulose containing materials, which could range from plasterboard in your walls, textiles in your furniture, dust, papers, organic matter such as plants and more.
What causes black mould
Black mould grows just as any other mould would, with moisture and a food source – however certain conditions such as different materials in the building, different contaminations, different time periods, different levels of moisture can all impact which moulds proliferate and by how much. Stachybotrys is a tertiary coloniser, meaning it requires a high water content for a long period of time (weeks). In contrast, we see another toxic mould, Penicillium proliferate in as little as 48-72 hours.
48 hours?! Yes, it takes a very short amount of time dampness in your property to lead to potential mould growth! And some mould will start growing in under 48 hours! And we haven’t even talked about bacteria yet, which could also be contributing to your water-damaged building related illnesses.
For this reason, it is critical you keep your home dry, free from water leaks, avoid high levels of condensation and do what you can to prevent mould growth.
A certified mould testing technician is one of the best possible contacts for when you have concerns over mould at your property. They are trained in both human health and building health and will help you bridge the gap between your health professionals and building professionals, making your journey to a healthier living space easier.
If you suspect you have a mould issue now, make a time to chat with me for free!
And if you don’t think you currently have an issue (hooray!) you may like to get a copy of my preventing mould checklist and do some DIY mould prevention tasks at your home or office. I get asked “what can I do to avoid mould”, so I created a checklist for you, using my experience and expertise from working as a mould testing technician on mouldy buildings.
So my ask to you is re-assess how you use the term ‘black mould’. Remember the presence of mould is an indicator of water-damage, and when there’s water damage, there is most likely going to be an adverse effect on human health.
To prevent having to deal with a larger issue, it is best to address moisture issues immediately and bring in professionals to help you work through the challenge and take safe, cost effective next steps in remediation and returning the building to a healthier state.
Ready to book in your mould assessment? Give Bronwyn a call!
References:
(1) Ratnaseelan, Aarane M. MBS, Tsilioni, Irene PhD, Theoharides, Theoharis C. MS, MPhil, PhD, MD. (June 04, 2018). "Effects of Mycotoxins on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Immune Processes." Clinical Journal of Drug Therapy, Volume 40, Issue 6, Pages 903-917.