What is dangerous black mold in the house for the human body and how to get rid of it

The main ways to deal with black mold at home

After making sure that the fungus is present, you should immediately begin to eliminate it. At home, you can deal with black plaque in different ways.We offer you to get acquainted with the main methods so that you can choose the most suitable one.

Necessary security measures

Before proceeding with the elimination of black mold, you should take care of your safety, for this you need:

1. Prepare gloves, respirator and goggles to provide adequate respiratory protection and exposed surfaces during handling.
2. Cover clean areas with polyethylene to prevent contact with fungal spores.
3. Free the room as much as possible from furniture and other interior items.
4. Close windows and turn off the fan.
5. Refuse to use a vacuum cleaner, as in this case the spores of the fungus will be inside the device.
6. Dry the air in the room as much as possible. It is advisable to use a special device for this purpose.

The use of PPE is mandatory when fighting mold

Folk remedies - an affordable solution

Here are some tips to help you deal with dangerous mold:

• Hydrogen peroxide. The composition is applied to surfaces affected by mold. Cannot be used to clean colored substrates.
• Soda and vinegar. To prepare a solution in 5 liters of water, add 200 g of soda and 100 g of vinegar. The composition is applied to areas damaged by mold. Most often used for prevention.
• Ammonia. Work must be performed in a respirator. Before applying the composition, the surface is moistened, ammonia is applied and left for half an hour. Then the composition is thoroughly washed off. At the time of processing, windows and doors in the room must be closed. After cleaning the base, the room is ventilated for 2-3 hours;
• Tea tree oil. A solution is used for processing. To prepare it, water and oil are mixed in a ratio of 1 to 50, and then the finished solution is applied to the fungus.After 3-4 hours, the room is ventilated.

Hydrogen peroxide has a limited use

Chemical and antifungal compounds - an effective option

For a more effective fight against the fungus, chemical compounds are used.

These include:

• copper sulfate. The powder is diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 10. The finished composition is applied to the area affected by mold with a brush and left for several hours. After that, it is thoroughly washed off. At the time of processing, there should be no people and pets in the room.
• Buru. First, the substance is diluted in a glass, and then added to a ten-liter bucket. The agent is applied to the surface for 10 minutes, and then washed off.
• Bleaches containing chlorine. Helps fight fungus. They are applied for preventive purposes. The composition is applied to a rag, and then the area affected by mold is wiped, achieving complete removal of plaque. After treatment, the bleach is thoroughly washed off.
• Professional formulations designed to combat the fungus. METAS-BIO, NANO-FIX, Dali and a number of others are in demand.

NANO-FIX Medic
NANO-FIX Medic

professional equipment

Given that fungus spores die under the influence of high temperature and low humidity, microwave drying is used to combat mold. With its help, you can process the base of any kind. It is incapable of harming human or animal health. Cleaning the surface from mold begins without any preliminary preparation of the base. Microwave drying is characterized by high productivity, and therefore requires a minimum of processing time.

Microwave drying will help to cope with mold

What danger does black mold pose to humans?

Black mold is just a common name for a fungus, of which there are an impressive number of varieties. Depending on the type, it is determined how dangerous black mold is, and where it can be found.

At home, most often, successfully grow:

black aspergillus (aspergillus niger);

aspergillus fuming (aspergillus fumigates);

Alternaria alternata (Alternaria tenuis).

Now about each separately.

Aspergillus black (Aspergillus niger)

This type of black mold loves kitchens, bathrooms, pools. Aspergillus black colonies often live in humidifiers, washing machines, air conditioners. The mold of this species is covered with damp ceilings, covers and pages of old books, pots of indoor plants.

Aspergillus black spores spread almost at the speed of light - even from a light breath they can spread throughout the room. After they get on food, settle in things, settle in the respiratory tract of people and animals.

Aspergillus of this particular type can be the culprit of the following diseases:

• bronchial asthma;
• sometimes even pneumonia;
• meningitis;
• allergy;
• rhinitis.

The spores of this type of black mold can contribute to the formation of papillomas or even cancer cells.

If a person with weak immunity immediately inhales a large amount of Aspergillus black spores, he may develop intoxication of the body, which, in some cases, will be fatal.

Aspergillus fuming (Aspergillus fumigates)

It is not easy to kill the black mold of this species, because it calmly tolerates even high temperatures (up to +53 degrees). In addition, the spores of the fungus are small and easily enter the lungs of humans and animals.

But there is good news: a healthy person can inhale several hundred fuming Aspergillus spores without consequences. However, people with weak immune systems are much more likely to develop aspergillosis.

Often, black mold of this variety affects vegetables and fruits with mechanical damage. When grain is infected, from which bread is then baked, the rolls will soon become covered with black spots.

Smoking aspergillus toxins, being allergens, destroy red blood cells in the blood and suppress the immune system.

Alternaria alternata (Alternaria tenuis)

The black mold of this variety can look different (from greenish olive to dark grey) depending on the habitat.

By the way, the black fungus lives on the dying parts of plants and can poison the seeds of cereals. Spots of the fungus usually show off on autumn leaves, overripe fruits, and even just on the surface of the soil. There are also unusual cases when black mold of this type appears on pork or a textile product.

Alternaria alternata toxins are a serious provocateur of bronchial asthma. In addition, they can easily cause an allergic reaction, which will not manifest itself in the best way (abundant rashes, etc.).

Human danger

What is the danger of mold in the house? The main harm from the fungus is in its spores, which spread in the air and can settle on human skin, and when breathing, they can enter our body. This will entail a lot of problems for people's health, causing all kinds of diseases.

Inhalation of spores and skin contact

Mold spores can cause allergic reactions and colds.

Once on human skin, fungal spores can cause various skin rashes, eczema and dermatitis, which are difficult to diagnose by doctors. Getting on the hair and nails, spores can cause damage to them. The general condition may worsen, the person begins to feel weak, the body is exhausted, migraine attacks often occur.

Inhaling mold spores, which are a strong allergen, a person is at risk of getting chronic rhinitis, cough, conjunctivitis. Spores can very quickly enter our respiratory tract and cause allergic diseases, often causing even a disease such as bronchial asthma. In addition to spores, the allergen can be volatile components with a rather bad smell, which can quickly penetrate our blood through breathing and cause intoxication of the body. A person's condition deteriorates sharply, he may experience an unbearable headache, dizziness, which is often accompanied by nausea and even vomiting.

Living in the vicinity of mold for a long time can often cause problems with the musculoskeletal system, lead to joint diseases and rheumatic pains. There may be problems with the stomach, damage to the liver and kidneys is possible, in especially difficult cases, internal bleeding may occur.

The worst harm

The most dangerous yellow mold for human health, which can cause food allergies.

The most dangerous to human health, yellow mold can severely affect fish, liver, milk and its products, as well as rice and peanuts.Often people, instead of mercilessly throwing away such products, remove the affected parts of the products and thereby expose themselves to mortal danger. Once in the stomach, such mold can cause food allergies. The poison will accumulate in the body and eventually begin to affect the liver, which can even lead to cirrhosis. In no case should you eat those foods on which mold has appeared or cut off a small part of it from infected bread or fruits and vegetables, and then eat such foods. They only need to be thrown away without exposing yourself to infection with the strongest poison.

All mold is dangerous for the health of children, especially those with reduced immunity, their fragile growing organisms are most affected by mold spores. And if a child is in constant contact with mold, he can get sick for life. If a child has signs of an allergy, you should not self-medicate, it can be very dangerous, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will direct you to the necessary tests, establish the cause and prescribe treatment

If it turns out that the cause of the allergy is mold, it is important to protect the child as much as possible from contact with it until it is completely destroyed.

Many diseases that are provoked by the mold fungus are still poorly understood, which makes it difficult to determine the correct diagnosis. Often, due to similar symptoms, a person can be treated for a completely different disease, and the dangerous consequences of the harmful effects of mold remain without due attention and appropriate treatment.

Mushroom fungus strife

Ekaterina Volkova, AiF in Kuzbass: Evgeny Alexandrovich, what is black mold and why should we be afraid of it?

Evgeny Pirogov: The term "black mold" defines a group of different mold forms that acquire a dark color at a certain stage of growth and development. The basis of the mold is mycelium (mycelium), which is fixed on the surface and penetrates deep into the structure of the material or fabric. Visually, it looks like black spots, slimy or drier, consisting of individual dots growing in circles. At the same time, it is not always possible to fix a black mold fungus visually, sometimes the width of one mycelium is only 0.006 mm., It can give out a putrid, earthy and musty smell. Molds form a large number of metabolites - toxins that are dangerous to human health. By the way, in nature this is a natural process: the fungus fights with competitors for nutrients and scares away large soil organisms, such as worms.

- It is clear that mold is dangerous for worms. And what harm can it do to a person?

“Mold is growing rapidly. In one hour, a square meter of the fungus releases up to one hundred million spores. Spores spread in the air, settle on human skin, enter the respiratory tract, in food, then into the stomach. It is impossible to immediately feel the danger of mold, which is why it is called a “time bomb”

It is important to remember that all types of mold found in the household have a pathogenic effect, that is, they can cause disease and cause damage to body systems. It is very difficult to identify microscopic "pieces" of black mold in the body, so many people become regulars of doctors

They are very surprised that after treatment in a hospital, an exacerbation immediately sets in - one has only to return home.

The only way to eliminate the damage caused to health by black mold is to get rid of it. If the anxiety symptoms do not go away, then you should seek medical help. Sometimes it takes a long time to identify the main source of the disease, so for patients who have a black mold outbreak at home, it is better to warn the attending specialist about this in advance. The daily action of the fungus on your body is a serious test.

Moldy bread found in one of Kemerovo schools
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- What exactly are the symptoms of exposure to black mold can a person experience?

- First of all, the skin suffers. Itching, peeling, redness, dryness, various rashes appear, eczema develops. Such manifestations of the disease can be mistaken for atopic dermatitis and mistakenly start using a huge range of external agents, trying to improve the condition of the skin. But even the most expensive creams are useless to use - until the mold is eliminated, dermatitis will not go away. Hair can become brittle, and nails can develop onychomycosis (fungus - ed.).

It is worth remembering that the constant irritating effect on the body is one of the causes of cancer. If you rub the skin hard all the time in the same place, then the cells may not withstand and degenerate into malignant (melanoma) with all the ensuing consequences.

The respiratory system also suffers. Appear cough, shortness of breath, chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma. The person may often suffer from pneumonia. One of the worst consequences is pulmonary aspergillosis, a deadly disease.

Causes of mold

Condensation on metal-plastic structures - a factor causing the appearance of fungus

Prices for a ventilation valve for plastic windows

Ventilation supply valve for metal-plastic windows

Black mold easily penetrates the home, but dies under adverse conditions. The reasons for the reproduction of the fungus are high temperature and humidity, which are the result of errors made during the construction of buildings, the use of synthetic materials in interior decoration, and non-compliance with sanitary standards.

1. Metal structures. Metal-plastic windows are a comfortable solution for residential premises. They are comfortable, protect from noise and cold, do not require serious installation costs. But with improper use, metal-plastic structures can cause black mold to multiply. The windows are closed hermetically, because of which the air circulation is disturbed, and the rooms are not ventilated. In addition, if installed incorrectly, condensation forms on the structures, which increases the humidity in the room.
2. Drywall. The building material used in the construction and decoration of buildings adversely affects the microclimate. The disadvantage of drywall is the ability to absorb moisture, which makes the room damp, which increases the likelihood of growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
3. Poor ventilation. Ventilation systems are often designed in violation of building codes, and old structures become clogged and fail. In bathrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, natural ventilation does not always cope with high air humidity, which creates favorable conditions for uninvited guests.
4. Building defects.The miscalculations of designers, mistakes in the construction of residential buildings lead to the fact that during precipitation the walls get wet, and moisture accumulates in the basements. A similar problem arises if there are no drain pipes or waterproofing at the joints of the panels. Fungal spores germinate through cracks in building materials, after which they end up in residential premises.
5. Failure to comply with sanitary standards. Microorganisms that cause black mold growth often enter the house along with spoiled fruits or moldy bread. If such a product is left in the kitchen for a long time, the spores will spread to surfaces that are suitable for their growth.

Bath, bathroom, kitchen - favorite places of black mold

Favorite places for the growth of mold fungi are the bathroom, bathroom, kitchen, but if conditions are favorable, they appear in other rooms.

What contributes to the spread of the fungus

The fungus, as already found out, is very dangerous to health.

Therefore, it is important to take certain measures so that there is no mold in the house and that it does not cause serious diseases.

It is worth noting that two main factors affect the spread of mold: heat and humidity. As for the first parameter, that the greatest growth is recorded at a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius. The optimal humidity for the spread of fungus is 70 percent. Lack of ventilation is also a contributing factor. It is clear that for the prevention of fungus, the influence of these negative factors should be minimized, in particular, try to reduce the humidity in the room or ventilate the toilet and bathroom.

But there are other reasons that don't seem so obvious.In particular, fungi may appear due to the use of the latest building materials, the quality of which has not been proven.

Reason 1 plastic doors and windows

Plastic windows are an effective way to protect yourself from street noise and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. But few people know what they carry in themselves and risks to the health of the residents of the premises. In particular, it does not provide a good level of breathability. The window is essentially sealed. That is why fungi can occur here.

If the number of glasses is chosen incorrectly, then pathogenic organisms can also spread. Also, a violation of installation, the formation of condensate on the walls can lead to their formation.

Manufacturers have recently learned about this feature, so they have done everything possible so that black mold fungi do not spread throughout the room. In particular, special supply valves were installed so that the room could be quickly ventilated. But not all windows have such features.

Experts recommend airing the room as often as possible. Do not leave windows in the same state for months

It is also important to properly wash plastic structures using special disinfectants.

Reason 2 everyone's favorite drywall

Drywall is a popular building material that allows you to quickly level any surface. It is convenient to use it to create various non-load-bearing structures. However, drywall has some drawbacks.

In particular, drywall easily absorbs moisture. But it does not dry out, it accumulates inside

It is very important to follow the installation rules, remember that different mixtures require different drying times.It is also important to maintain the climate, to avoid installing drywall structures in rooms with a high level of humidity.

Also, builders resort to one trick. They add to the solutions necessary for fixing drywall, special preparations that prevent the formation of fungi.

Reason 3 Poor ventilation

Ventilation in the bathroom is good. But it is not always possible to achieve its high-quality organization. As a result of the fact that a lot of humid and hot air is formed in the bathroom, bacteria spread faster. One hood is unlikely to be able to cope with this problem.

Therefore, experts recommend providing forced ventilation. In this case, a low level of humidity will be maintained in the room and the problem will be solved.

Reason 4 damp basements and damp walls

The mistakes of the builders lead to the fact that the basements are flooded. Residents have constantly wet walls, and living in such an apartment is very problematic. At first it won't be noticeable. But after a few years, the fungus will begin to show through the brickwork, it will show through the wallpaper and tile. In this case, it will be very difficult to solve the problem. We need a comprehensive processing of the basement, as well as strengthening it with additional structures. At that time, black mold fungi penetrate through the ventilation and poison the organisms of the residents. In any case, you will have to contact higher authorities, since it is impossible to solve this problem on your own.

Another thing is if the problem occurred in a private house. In this case, the work can be done independently. First you need to eliminate the source of infection. Special systems are being installed to ensure basement ventilation.Then a comprehensive treatment of the premises from the fungus is carried out.

The main habitats of black mold

An environment that negatively affects human health, in which pathogenic microorganisms occupy the main place, can become a source of increased danger in a house or apartment. You can get rid of the fungus, the appearance of which in the bathroom or toilet often goes unnoticed for a long time, for years. You also have to deal with it on the walls in residential premises - especially if they are finished with plastic that does not allow air to pass through. Among other places that are primarily attacked by colonies of microorganisms, we can note:

• window frames;
• area under the windowsill;
• sections of walls under skirting boards;
• doorways;
• ceiling;
• surface of water pipes;
• the interior of the refrigeration unit;
• air conditioning systems.

This is where mold often goes completely unnoticed, endangering people's lives and health.

Why does she appear?

Why can mold fungi appear in a living space? First of all, the risk factors here are such moments as impaired air exchange and high humidity in the premises. The influence of the external environment can also matter. For example, in many high-rise buildings there are "cold" walls, on which condensation actively forms in the bathroom space in winter. Of course, the reason for the appearance of pathogenic microflora in this case is superimposed on the formation of a favorable environment for the colonization of molds on surfaces.

The presence of the necessary nutrient medium is another important factor contributing to the emergence of a dangerous microorganism. Food for mold can be products of organic and inorganic origin. Particles of dust and dirt, wallpaper glue, stale crust of bread - all this can contribute to the scale of the problem. And the further things go, the more difficult it will be to succeed in the fight against the source of biological danger.

Prevention measures: will they help?

There is an opinion that black mold appears only where insufficiently strict measures are taken to maintain cleanliness. Service specialists "" are ready to dispel this misconception:

Cleaning alone as a preventive measure will not be enough. That is why, having discovered possible signs of the appearance of a fungus on the surfaces of walls, floors, ceilings, one should immediately proceed to decisive action.

What are the dangerous places in the apartment and house

There are many health hazards in the home. Especially if there is a child. The list of potentially dangerous places is as follows:

• Electrician.
• hidden corners.
• Dampness and mustiness in the room, as well as mold.
• Fungal infections.

What dangerous places are in the apartment and house, it is worth studying in advance. Vigilance will help maintain the health of all family members.

Electrician

When asked what dangerous places are in an apartment or house, the first one means sockets. The kid easily puts his fingers or different objects. This behavior leads to health problems and deaths.

If the house is old, the wiring has never been changed, the risk of a short circuit increases. It is impossible to predict it - it can happen at any moment. Such a development of events is fraught with a fire, the complete destruction of the apartment.

hidden corners

What else is dangerous in the apartment - various hidden corners. You can not notice, run into the wall, bruising your forehead. Children walk uncertainly, stumble on walls, getting bruises, bruises, abrasions. Everything should be studied and marked. The best solution would be the construction of barriers that allow the child to smoothly go around dangerous areas.

Damp and musty rooms

What else can be dangerous for a child in an apartment? Experts say: mold, musty air. Mustiness is stale air where bacteria accumulate. These enter the human respiratory tract, aggressively affect the mucous membranes. The result is constant problems with the lungs, frequent respiratory diseases. Endless excess moisture is the cause of the development of inflammatory processes. Some pneumonias are fatal.

Residents of such a house begin to actively get sick, they are difficult to tolerate various viruses, and have significantly reduced immunity.

Mold and fungus

If there is a fungus in the apartment, the situation becomes threatening to health. Often, the mold component collects in rooms prone to this - bathrooms, areas around the sink in the kitchen, under windows (relevant for "crying"), etc. In rooms with high humidity, the fungus develops very quickly.

What is dangerous fungus in the apartment, not everyone knows. The threat from him is very real. Fungi and mold in the apartment, dangerous to health, can quickly enter the human body. Their main disadvantage is the rapid spread of spores. Once in the bloodstream, the spores spread throughout the body, leading to diseases of the respiratory systems and heart.

When doctors are asked: what is the danger of mold in an apartment for a person, they answer: everyone. It overloads the body.Black mold, which is considered the most dangerous for all living beings, usually spreads in apartments. Black mold is a fungus. It is not excreted - neither from the room, nor from the body. To get rid of black mold, it is necessary to completely clean the walls, carry out appropriate processing so that the mold element is completely eliminated. After the wall is thoroughly dried. Only a set of measures can guarantee a successful disposal of the problem.

Black mold, fungi are bred in damp rooms, where it is constantly humid. Therefore, houses with moist air and mustiness are considered unfavorable.

Groups of microorganisms in mold

Microorganisms in the composition of mold are divided into the following groups?

1. The first group includes moldy fungi. They affect building materials (concrete, stone) and surfaces treated with paint, plaster, wallpaper. Available in a variety of colors including black. They are clearly visible in infected places, including on the walls of housing. At first they are pointwise, and then they form spots of dots, gradually increasing in size. Some fungi from this group are able to glow in the dark.
2. The second group consists of blue fungi. They have a detrimental effect on tree species, especially pine. Owners of wooden buildings should be attentive to this type of mold, protecting buildings with preventive treatments.
3. The third group is represented by putrefactive fungi. This is a brown microorganism that destroys all wood, without exception. Putrefactive changes are manifested by black (or other color) stripes on wooden surfaces.

It belongs to the first group of microorganisms and adversely affects the human body.It is especially dangerous for the older and younger age categories, people with a weak immune system and expectant mothers.