Black mold. The very mention of that word sends shivers down our bodies. I had a black mold problem and I did some investigation on this issue, how to stop it, what caused it and how to get rid of black mold. First let us discover what black mold is and what it can do to our families health.

Black mold, often called mildew is a subset of fungi that produces a powdery or fluffy growth of surfaces. Toxic black mold can grow on cloth, carpet, wood, sheetrock, insulation, leathers and human foods. So these materials are the food source for the mold. How do you know if you have black mold? Check out Black Mold - Recognize the Signs.

The second and most pivotal element that black mold requires to grow is a moisture source. I will cover the moisture side of the equation in my article Black Mold - Recognize The Signs. Once the moisture problem is addressed the black mold will stop growing. You still have to address the mold that still exists. I will cover this in my article How to Get Rid of Black Mold and addresses measures of testing and actions you can take.

Why control black mold in your home? Because black mold is toxic. The Mayo Clinic has determined that molds are the cause of most chronic sinus infections, infecting 37 million americans. Also it was determined that black mold contributed to a 300 percent increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years.

Black mold fungi produce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) which is a hot topic in the sustainable movement these days. This is known as out-gassing and is a symptom of drying and emitting toxins as they dry. Black mold does this very thing. Exposure to VOC's can irritate of the mucus membranes and the central nervous system leading to headaches, decreased attention span, difficulty in concentration and dizziness.

Of course the immune-compromised are affected the most and this would include infants, young children and the elderly. So black mold is a house guest that is not welcome