Toxic Black Mold (Stachybotrys)
Stachybotrys chartarum (also called stachybotrys atra) is the most well known and infamous species of toxic mold. It is often referred to as black mold or toxic black mold. Toxic black mold grows indoors and produces trichothecene mycotoxins which are one of the most problematic mycotoxins due to their extreme toxicity and their resilience and stability.
Identify Toxic Black Mold
Toxic black mold is a greenish black mold which is found throughout the world. Toxic black mold is usually slimy because of a wet layer on the top, although it can sometimes appear dry and powdery if it dries from lack of a moisture source.
Several other indoor molds can look similar to toxic black mold so you would need to have the mold tested before you can be sure it is actually Stachybotrys chartarum.
Toxic Black Mold Causes & Conditions
Toxic black mold grows outdoors in soil and on plant debris. Indoors, toxic black mold requires substances high in cellulose and low in nitrogen to grow on, meaning it can potentially be found growing on many common indoor building materials.
Either the conditions must be very humid or the material must be wet for a very long time (over a week) for toxic black mold to start to grow on it, although once toxic black mold has colonized it can continue even if the water source has dried out. Toxic black mold also grows better in warm conditions and is found in many countries throughout the world.
Toxic black mold does not grow as easily or as quickly as most other molds. If the material is suitable and remains wet enough, toxic black mold will colonize in eight to twelve days, compared to most other molds which require only one or two days. However if toxic black mold can continue growing it will usually be able to take over its environment from other molds, forcing out any others growing on its food source.
Toxic black mold needs a high amount of moisture to grow. Hence it often grows out of sight, hidden behind walls, where there is an unnoticed long-term water leak from the roof, walls or pipes. If air sample tests reveal toxic black mold spores in the air despite no visible black mold growth, you'll need to check areas hidden from view, such as within walls, where it will most likely be growing from water damage.
Toxic Black Mold Symptoms
Toxic black mold can produce both allergic and toxic symptoms. The severity of the symptoms from toxic black mold depends on the concentration of airborne mycotoxins and spores in the environment and the length of time a person was exposed. The general types of symptoms caused by toxic black mold mycotoxins are respiratory problems, skin inflammation, hemorrhage, irritation of the mucous membranes, damage to internal organs, mental impairment, tiredness, nausea and immune system suppression. A detailed list of toxic black mold symptoms:
Toxic Black Mold Symptoms
Toxic Black Mold Removal & Killing
Never try to kill or remove toxic black mold on your own as disturbing toxic black mold may cause it to release huge amounts of spores and mycotoxins into the air, making your symptoms much worse. The first thing you should do is to have the mold professionally tested to confirm it is Stachybotrys chartarum. You should then talk to a professional mold remediation and removal service experienced in removing toxic black mold.
If you are suffering toxic symptoms from toxic black mold then you should immediately move out of your home and not return until the mold removal and remediation is completed. Be careful about what you take with you because objects can carry toxic black mold mycotoxins on them, which can continue to make you sick. More information:
Toxic Black Mold Removal
Toxic Black Mold Treatment
There is no cure or antidote which can be taken for toxic black mold. The only solution is to remove the toxic black mold from your environment or remove yourself. Once you are away from the mycotoxins from toxic black mold your body will start to recover and most of your symptoms should go away over time. However some of the damage from toxic black mold mycotoxins can be permanent.