Tag Archives: Black Mold

Black Mold Health Symptoms, What Are They?

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Black Mold Symptoms

Black Mold Symptoms

Black mold generally occurs in chronically damp areas like laundry rooms, bathrooms, pool rooms and spas. But it can also grow if there are leaking pipes, flooding or in any situation where water and dampness are present over a prolonged period of time. The only way to rid these areas of black mold is through mold treatment.

Symptoms to Look For

If you have been exposed to toxic black mold, here are some of the symptoms to be on the lookout for. They generally cause respiratory distress in one way or another, so that should be the first clue.

• Chronic coughing

• Chronic sneezing

• Watery and itchy eyes

• Irritation of the nose and throat

• Fatigue

• Persistent headaches

• Red blotchy rashes on the body

A severe allergic reaction may entail:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Bleeding from the lungs, nose and mouth

Free Mold Inspection

Of course, these are just general symptoms, and some of them may have other causes. But if you do have any of these symptoms and fear a black mold infestation, call in the professionals at Stern Mold for a free mold inspection.

The Bottom Line

Mold treatment is the only way to eliminate a toxic black mold infestation. If you have noticed toxic black mold, or exhibit any of the chronic symptoms above, don’t take any chances. Rely on the professionals at Stern Mold to rid your home of toxic black mold. We’re part of the Stern Environmental Group and we will answer all of your questions or schedule a free mold inspection for your residence. Stern Mold has been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News

What Does Toxic Mold Look Like?

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Don't let your home become a petri dish.

Don’t let your home become a petri dish.

There are many different types of mold and most of them are not a problem. But toxic black mold is, and here is what it looks like and where you’ll find it.

Black Mold

Black mold can be in streaks, clumps or patches. It may first appear to look like black dirt, black ink or black paint, which smears easily if wiped with a rag. When dried, it looks like flaky black dandruff and it will either be in large pieces or tiny spots.

Where to Find It

Toxic black mold needs moisture to survive. Which means you are most often going to find it in bathrooms, laundry rooms, around pools and spas, and even basements or crawl spaces that have high humidity.

Leaky pipes that drip or spray, are also prime areas for black mold, especially where it has been undetected and going on for a long time, like in closets, cabinets or under counters.

Another prime area is from dripping room air conditioners. These drips can get behind walls and paneling, and cause a major toxic black mold infestation that you may not even realize you have until it’s too late.

Mold Treatment

Mold treatment is a top priority for any toxic black mold infestation. If you have noticed toxic black mold, don’t take any chances. Just rely on the professionals at Stern Mold to rid your house or home of toxic black mold. We’re part of the Stern Environmental Group, and will answer all of your questions or schedule a free mold inspection for your residence. We have been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Tips, Mold Treatment

Mold 101: How Can I Remove Mold from Carpet?

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Interior mold is usually depicted as growing on surfaces like walls or bathtubs. Even though it’s not visible, mold and fungus can affect carpeting as well. Is there any effective treatment or remedy?

What are mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are toxic substances that are by-products of mold. At 0.1 microns in width, they are even more minute than mold spores. Human hair is approximately 100 microns wide, which gives a sense of the relative size of mycotoxins.

Health effects of mycotoxins

When you are exposed to toxic mold such as Aspergillus, which is one of the most common types found indoors, mycotoxins are ingested through the respiratory system. Mycotoxins from Stachybotrys, also referred to as black mold, can be absorbed through the skin as well.

Removal and treatment

As mycotoxins settle in carpet fibers, footsteps stir them up into the air where they can be ingested along with mold spores and allergens. A HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner can remove the spores, but mycotoxins are small enough to pass through the vacuum and back out though the exhaust. Replacing the carpet is the only sure way to get rid of mycotoxins.

If you have been exposed to mycotoxins, take a long, hot shower with plenty of soap. Hair can trap mycotoxins, so you should also thoroughly shampoo.

Effective mold treatment in New Jersey

When it comes to mold and fungus treatment, don’t take a chance on doing an incomplete job. Our proprietary MoldExterm system removes mold thoroughly while leaving a sealant that prevents future infestations. Visit our website to learn how you can schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment

Mold 101: What Are Toxic Black Mold Spores?

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The ideal way to think of toxic black mold spores is to think of mushroom spores. Just like mushroom spores, black mold spores are released into the air as the fruiting body grows and dries out.

If kept constantly wet, black mold will remain locked up within the colony. However, if allowed to dry or if disturbed by rubbing it or through ineffectual cleaning, the toxic spores will take to the air and attempt to colonize other moist areas.

Black Mold Mycotoxins

The allergenic aspect is in the mycotoxins that they can carry. That’s why mold treatment becomes so important. Granted, not every type of black mold is mycotoxic, and there are many factors, like where they grow and the level of humidity, among other things, that determine whether the black mold will be an allergen or whether it will be benign.

The problem is that there is no way to tell whether the black mold you see carries mycotoxins. Unfortunately, the only way to tell if you have been exposed to toxic black mold, is if you begin to experience symptoms. Some of the most common ones are an allergic reaction, vision and other eye problems, dizziness, and anxiety.

Your Best Course of Action

The best course of action, if you have noticed a black mold infestation, is to not take any chances and rely on the professionals at Stern Mold for mold treatment. We are part of the Stern Environmental Group, and will answer all of your questions or schedule a free mold inspection for your residence. We have been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, News

The Myths and Facts About Mold

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Most people feel the same way about mold that they do about spiders. When they see either, they are terrified. They know some species are harmful and some are not, but are not sure how to identify them. Also, if it is out of sight, it is out of mind. Here is a reminder that you should have a free inspection and mold treatment consultation of your home and business, along with some facts about a couple of myths associated with mold.

Common myths about mold

Myth – Only black mold is dangerous: Of the over 100,000 different species of mold, about 60 are known to be harmful to people’s health. The spores are especially bad for people with asthma, a compromised immune system, and the elderly. Black mold (stachybotrys chartarum) typically develops on existing mold colonies. It grows slowly and has heavier spores than most mold species. It can only be identified by trained professionals and is certainly not the only harmful mold type.

Myth – Bleach will kill mold: The bleach purchased over the counter is typically just 6 percent sodium hypochlorite and the remaining 94 percent is water. Applying it to mold temporarily removes the mold, but when the chlorine evaporates, the mold comes back and feeds on the water to spread again. Proper mold treatment requires trained professionals to eliminate the mold and replace contaminated material.

Be proactive about protecting your family, workers, and customers from the possible health risks of mold spores. The technicians of Stern Mold have experience with all types of mold and can provide a safe, cost-efficient and effective mold treatment of your home or business. Contact us today.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News
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