How Different Types of Mold Affect Your Health

At Professional Restoration, we take property damage very seriously. Floods and fires are dangerous inherently, but what they leave behind can be equally dangerous.

Mold is a naturally occurring substance, but various mold species are common after water damage, and many types of mold can be dangerous to people or pets.

Here’s a quick rundown of common types of mold, their associated health risks, and how to get rid of mold.

Types of Mold

Given the diversity of Colorado’s environments and ecosystems, there are several types of mold easily found in our state. Dozens of mold species can grow inside and outdoors effectively.

Some of the most common types of mold can also be the most dangerous. Common indoor molds include:

• Alternaria
• Aspergillus
• Cladosporium
• Penicillium
• Botrytis
• Fusarium
• Serpula lacrymans (yellow mold)
• Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold); and
• Ulocadium

These common (and dangerous!) outdoor molds can unintentionally enter your home as well:

• Epicoccum (found on plants)
• Mucor (common leaf mold)
• Rhizopus (another common leaf mold)
• Phoma (found on plants and in soil)
• Smuts (found on grass, logs, and weeds)

Mold Health Risks

Mold can affect anyone who comes in contact with it, although reactions may vary, depending on a few factors.

Due to the prevalence of mold, you may not have symptoms right away or at all. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re immune from health risks.

Common symptoms might include:

• Coughing or wheezing
• Eye irritation
• Nasal stuffiness
• Throat irritation
• Asthma attacks
• Irritation in the lungs
• Nose irritation
• Skin irritation

Reaction times to mold exposure can be immediate or delayed. For people who are either allergic or sensitive to mold, symptoms often present quicker. Some of the most common molds can spur the most aggressive symptoms.

People with allergy sensitivities, respiratory problems, or other health conditions are more likely to show symptoms of mold exposure. People with strong immune systems are usually less impacted.

Moreover, certain types of mold affect people more than others. For example, black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), releases mycotoxins that irritates your airway and skin.

When exposed to mold in larger quantities, or you experience a severe allergic reaction to mold, you may need to contact emergency services.

Leave the Mold to Professionals

Unfortunately, there are lots of ways mold can enter a home or commercial property. However large deposits of mold are typically the result of excess moisture or water damage.

A leaky pipe, flooded basement, or poor ventilation can all spur mold growth inside a building. Water and mold mitigation are critical steps to take following a flood or significant water damage.

Some mitigation techniques can be performed on your own with over-the-counter products. However, for larger mold issues, a specialist may be required to ensure safety and best results.

For the most effective mold treatment, contact a company that’s experienced with mold removal and cleanup. At Professional Restoration, we offer mold remediation services for commercial businesses and residential properties. No job is too big or too small for us to tackle.

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