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

How dangerous is black mold in the house for the human body and how to get rid of it is a complex question that worries many people. After all, some residents have to periodically deal with the appearance of black mold fungi in their own apartment or private house. It is extremely unpleasant to see colonies of fungi on products that have been lying on the shelf for a long time, or on the walls in the bathroom and other rooms.

This problem should be dealt with immediately, because mold provokes various diseases in family members. However, it is not possible to do this quickly in all cases, but you also cannot leave the problem without a solution. In order to find the best way to get rid of the scourge, we will look at the dangerous consequences of fungi, what types most often appear in apartments and how to deal with them yourself.

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

What types of black mold are there?

If you don’t look closely, at first glance it will seem that traces of mold are ordinary dirt that can be quickly removed. However, this is not the case at all.

Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.

Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.

Mold plaque is multiple colonies of small fungi that settle on almost any surface. In addition, they differ in types, so before starting the fight, it is necessary to consider them in detail.

Black aspergillus

This is a microscopic organism that actively spreads in places where moisture accumulates: in the bathroom, in the kitchen, in a room with a swimming pool. Often fungi can be found in the air humidifier, on the rubber seal near the drum of the washing machine.

Colonies of black mold actively spread on floors that come into contact with water (walls, ceilings), as well as on cardboard book covers and flower pots. However, the main place where spores accumulate is between the tiles in the bathroom or toilet.

Fungus in macro zoom

If you examine colonies of fungi under a microscope, you will notice that they look harmless. However, they not only undermine human health, but can also cause death.

If there are spores on surfaces or any objects indoors, they continue to spread through the air. This means that fungi quickly settle on our food and personal belongings. In addition, apartment residents and pets inhale these microorganisms in the air every day, which is why they accumulate in the respiratory system.

Even if at first you do not notice any dangerous consequences, then after a few months or years this will lead to serious illnesses:

inflammation of the membranes of the brain;
myocarditis;
bronchitis or pneumonia;
irritation of the nasal mucosa.

Cases have been reported where excessive accumulation of fungal spores has caused the formation of papillomas and even cancer cells. If, with one breath, a huge amount of spores penetrates a person’s lungs, he may experience toxic damage to the body. In the presence of weak protective functions (which is common among the population), this will inevitably lead to death.

It is the spores of this fungus that provoke the disease - aspergilloma of lung tissue. Thus, fungal spores first enter the nasopharynx, then move to the bronchi and other respiratory organs.

The main danger is that disputes are developing rapidly

The vital activity of colonies contributes to the release of dangerous substances, due to which necrotic foci form on the tissues. Over time, these lesions increase in size and lung tissue dies, causing suffocation and death.

Fuming Aspergillus

This is also a dangerous type of fungus, the main difference of which is its resistance to high temperatures (up to 60 degrees). Such fungi have microscopic spores, their size is less than 2.5 microns, so they enter the respiratory tract with air currents.

It is worth noting that people with strong immunity can breathe air saturated with fungal spores every day, which will not cause dire consequences. However, not every person can now boast of ideal health, so inhaling spores is extremely dangerous for people with reduced protective functions of the body.

The risk of an increase in the number of patients increases when repair work is carried out near hospitals, because in hospitals there are patients with poor health, whose bodies are vulnerable to any negative impact. Therefore, in such situations, the air is checked for the presence of fungal spores.

This is what colonies of fungi look like when they were grown on a plate in a laboratory study - as a rule, the spores have a greenish tint

Green mold rapidly spreads on the fruits of fruit trees, in places of damage. If you notice that mold quickly forms on your bread, then most likely the flour was made from affected grain.

The main danger of fungi of this type is that they accumulate in the human body and then provoke various types of allergic reactions. In addition, when entering the hematopoietic system, the spores destroy red blood cells. Increased intoxication of the body prevents the strengthening of the immune system.

Alternaria

This is another equally dangerous type of mold. Colonies of these fungi can have different appearances - this also depends on the environment in which they settle. Often dark spots appear on surfaces, but sometimes they have a different shade.

Almost always, these are the fungi that settle on vegetation. You can find them on fallen leaves in the fall, as well as on vegetables and fruits that have been lying on the shelf for a long time. In addition, spores are formed on the soil cover.

It is worth noting that such fungi appear on any food product, even meat. In addition, they are distributed on fabrics of natural origin. Toxic secretions of fungi poison and destroy seedlings, including grain crops.

Affected bulbs

Almost every person has seen vegetables on store shelves that have mold on them, and therefore you should not bring such a source of fungi into your apartment.

In timber houses, spores spread faster than in structures made of concrete or brick. They reproduce in the presence of heat and slight humidity. Direct damage is observed through direct contact with mold spores, however, poisoning can also be caused by toxic waste products of colonies.

Toxic substances provoke the development of bronchitis, asthma, and skin rashes. In addition, fungal spores cause the development of an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to them.

Toxic substances provoke the development of bronchitis

Symptoms of diseases of the human body

How much mold affects human health and how quickly the first symptoms appear largely depends on the type of fungus, the degree of infection of the room, the general condition and individual characteristics of a particular organism. At first, living or regularly staying in an infected room may result in the following symptoms:

runny nose;
headache;
lacrimation;
skin irritation;
sore throat;
dry cough;
weakness;
nosebleeds;
fast fatiguability.

Fast fatiguability

If you do not take measures to cleanse your home of mold, the consequences will not be long in coming. So what diseases do molds cause?

This:

dermatoses, mycoses, dermatitis;
bronchial asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis;
migraine;
rhinitis;
conjunctivitis;
intoxication (nausea, vomiting, indigestion);
joint diseases;
kidney and liver diseases.

Constant contact with mold reduces immunity, so frequent colds, exacerbations and complications of chronic diseases are possible.

What promotes the growth of fungi?

We only looked at the risk of mold spreading. However, in order to get rid of this problem, it is necessary to become familiar with the reasons why microorganisms multiply. It is necessary to find out which ways the spores get inside in order to carry out control measures in a timely manner.

Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.

Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.

Heat and moisture are factors that promote the proliferation of microorganisms. Active growth of colonies often occurs at air humidity above 75% and temperatures from 20 to 30 degrees. If the room is not yet properly ventilated, colonies will spread much faster.

It can be much easier to prevent mold from appearing than to deal with the consequences of this scourge.

Moreover, in order to eliminate dangerous causes, no financial investments will be required, because even basic ventilation of the room can save the situation.

There are other factors influencing this process that are usually ignored. So, it is obvious that the problem has increased with the advent of new technologies for construction work.

Plastic windows and doors

Now almost all owners of apartments and private houses are switching to plastic windows, because such structures provide sound insulation compared to their wooden counterparts.

In addition, plastic windows retain heat in the room in the best way and do not require complex maintenance. As a rule, plastic structures are characterized by long-term operation. However, improper installation and continued use of plastic windows leads to the spread of mold.

Often fumes accumulate on window glass if they are installed by an unqualified technician.

The peculiarity is that such structures are closed hermetically, this in turn disrupts the air circulation that exists in the presence of wooden structures. In addition, condensation on the surface accumulates even if the number of glasses is incorrectly selected, poor-quality materials, or violations during the installation process.

This means that the presence of plastic windows or doors increases indoor humidity. However, window manufacturers anticipated this problem and created a special ventilation valve. Therefore, regardless of the time of year, it is recommended to ventilate the room, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid the accumulation of fungal colonies.

In a special article we will tell you why plastic windows fog up inside and can this be avoided?

Consequences of excessive dampness - mold spots on slopes and walls

Plasterboard panels

This building material is preferred by many craftsmen, because its use allows you to finish even an uneven wall. In addition, such panels are used to make shaped partitions and various structures with horizontal and vertical elements.

Therefore, in order not to turn the room into a real “breeding ground” for mold, it is necessary to adhere to the installation rules. So, when finishing the panels, you should wait time for the plaster to dry.

Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.

Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.

If you are going to use plasterboard to finish a room with a high level of humidity, then you need to choose panels that are suitable for such conditions. In addition, during the finishing process, primer and plaster with the addition of antiseptics should be used.

When making plasterboard structures, it should be taken into account that this material absorbs moisture, which lingers inside for a long time

Poor ventilation

It is quite rare that windows are installed indoors in a plumbing unit, but in addition, there is often no normal ventilation there. Because of this, there is an excessive level of moisture inside, because a bath, shower, washing machine, clothes dryer and towels are installed there - natural ventilation is clearly not enough here.

All that remains is to install a high-quality exhaust system. This will solve the existing mold problem and also prevent it from recurring.

Constant contact of floors with water causes rapid growth of fungal colonies

Floor humidity

There are often situations when, when creating a project for an apartment or private building, the point of formation of evaporation on the floors is not taken into account. This leads to the fact that during heavy rains or cold weather the walls freeze and become damp. Over time, mold colonies will spread on surfaces.

The danger is that at first the fungi appear from the outside, but after a while they rush into the depths of the ceiling and grow inside. The process occurs much faster when there is damage and microcracks on the walls.

Often the source of fungi is the basement, where there is high humidity at any time of the year. From there, the spores spread to other rooms through ventilation.

If we are talking about your own home, then you need to take care of creating reliable ventilation yourself. When the source of mold is the basement of a multi-story building, you should contact the housing office employees.

The presence of multiple colonies of black mold contributes to the weakening of load-bearing walls, therefore there is a risk of destruction

Genetic Testing: Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA DR) Test

To determine whether a person is genetically susceptible, HLA DR/DQ genetic testing is used. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system is a set of genes on chromosome 6 that encode proteins on the surface of cells that are responsible for regulating the immune system in humans. These proteins help our immune system distinguish our own cells from foreign ones. The HLA type and its associated immune response are key factors in whether a person develops the inflammation that leads to CIRS.

Explanation: The immune system consists of the innate immune system (the immunity we are born with) and the adaptive immune system (the immunity we develop after birth). The innate immune system is nonspecific and acts as the first line of defense by identifying antigens (foreign proteins) to signal the adaptive immune system, releasing high levels of inflammatory molecules (such as cytokines), broken complement products, and beta TGF. -1. Unlike antibodies, inflammatory molecules do not have a specific target and cannot remove biotoxins. The adaptive immune system provides long-lasting immunity by creating immunological memory after initial exposure to a specific pathogen (such as a biotoxin).

In susceptible individuals, the innate immune system “sees” the biotoxins and continues to signal to the adaptive immune system. However, the adaptive immune system cannot “see” biotoxins and does not produce adequate antibodies against them. The constant transfer of biotoxins continues to challenge the innate immune system. In turn, an overactive innate immune system creates high levels of inflammation, leading to dysregulation of multiple systems in the body and the development of CIRS.

Dr. Shoemaker's review of international gene registries, coupled with case-based studies, found that 24% of the population is exposed to mold due to their HLA haplotype, putting them at risk of developing biotoxin-related chronic disease from exposure water damaged buildings. Depending on individual HLA gene combinations, a person may be susceptible to one or more biotoxin-related diseases. For example, one person may be “mold susceptible,” while another may be “Lyme susceptible,” and another may be “multiple susceptible.”

How to deal with black mold?

If you find even a slight build-up of mold in your apartment, you should immediately begin to combat the problem. Otherwise, you risk missing the time during which the disputes will have time to spread further.

Most often, housewives use special antifungal drugs that can be found in the store. They already contain components that prevent the formation of mold. This category includes the following products: “ABEDIS 06”, “Dali”, “Ceresit” .

An ultraviolet lamp helps get rid of various types of fungi. Just before you turn on this device, you should make sure that there are no people, animals or plants in the room.

A UV lamp destroys fungal spores in any quantity, because it’s not for nothing that they settle outdoors only in the shade

Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.

Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.

If there is mold on any items, they must be removed from the apartment and disposed of. When fungi accumulate on smooth surfaces (glass, tiles), the problem can be dealt with using folk remedies, which we will consider in more detail.

Table 1. Traditional recipes for mold.

Remedy, illustration	Mode of application
Baking soda	A non-toxic product that can be found in the kitchen of every apartment. It is enough to dissolve soda with water and spray the surface with a spray bottle, and then wipe with a cloth.
Acetic acid	It is necessary to apply acid to the surface with fungi without adding water, leave for several hours, and then rinse off.
Hydrogen peroxide	It is necessary to take the substance (2.5%), treat the affected surface, and after 5-6 hours rinse with water.
Tea tree essential oil	You need to add about 12 ml of oil to a glass of water, then pour this solution into a spray bottle and spray the surface. To achieve a positive result, it is recommended to carry out the procedure 3-4 times.

Video - Traditional methods of fighting fungi

My history

For many years we lived in an apartment whose walls were covered everywhere with black fungus. In the first years, this problem did not seem so global to us, and we did not particularly try to solve it. Of course, even a good renovation quickly ceased to please the eye, the wallpaper simply fell off, all this blackness did not look aesthetically pleasing, but tolerable.

Things put away in the closet were completely saturated with an unpleasant putrid odor, which could not be eliminated either with washing powder or with the help of perfume and cologne. Time passed, and living side by side with such an unpleasant neighbor took its toll.

TOP 10 best mold repellents

Photo	Name	Rating	Price
#1		HG Mold Spray	⭐ 4.95 / 5 1 - voice	Find out more
#2		Dali (Dali)	⭐ 4.9 / 5	Find out more
#3		Bagi Anti-mold	⭐ 4.9 / 5	Find out more
#4		Alpa Phongifluid	⭐ 4.85 / 5	Find out more
#5		Cillit BANG spray Black Mold	⭐ 4.8 / 5	Find out more
#6		Stop-Mold Olimp	⭐ 4.75 / 5	Find out more
#7		Abedis 06	⭐ 4.7 / 5 1 - voice	Find out more
#8		Neomid BIO Repair	⭐ 4.65 / 5	Find out more
#9		Belinka	⭐ 4.6 / 5	Find out more
#10		Eskaro Biotol Spray	⭐ 4.55 / 5	Find out more

Which mold repellent would you choose or recommend?

Take the survey

Removing mold from floors: step-by-step instructions

It can be more difficult to deal with mold if the colonies spread on the surface of plaster or wallpaper, so this process should be considered in more detail.

Security measures

Step One: The first step is to remove the top layer of finish. This could be plaster or wallpaper.

Using a spatula or metal sponge, remove the layer of moldy plaster from the surface

Step two: Next, this wall must be thoroughly dried.

It is recommended to use an industrial hair dryer

Step three: after which it is necessary to thoroughly treat the surface where the mold and nearby areas were located using a spray bottle.

Apply antiseptic using a spray bottle

Step four: all that remains is to wait for the wall to dry, and then apply primer and putty.

Applying finishing touches to the walls

Video - Getting rid of fungus on the walls

Hyperreactivity

People's hyper-reactivity to avoid mold can make a significant difference in their lives. Mold avoiders often have to move to another location for an extended period or perhaps permanently. It may be that you cannot enter certain buildings without experiencing negative symptoms.

Some find it very difficult to find suitable housing.

When purchasing new property, people looking to avoid mold need to be careful and make sure the items are not contaminated.

In the experience of many mold avoiders, these difficulties diminish over time.