How Does Black Mold Form?

Identifying Black Mold

Black mold or strachybotrys chartarum is classified as fungi, belonging to the same group as mushrooms and yeasts. This fungi, when wet, appears slimy and dark olive colored. It can also be appear sooty, or as a grayish white strands. The outline of the mold has a smooth outline and surface that is either rough or smooth. When it is producing spores, the mold appears to have a powdery surface, releasing brown spores. Strachybotrys is commonly found outdoors.

Black mold, like most fungi, reproduce through spores that end up in the air. The black mold spores are then carried on people's clothes, shoes, on animals and bags that are have been exposed to the mold spores. People sometimes inhale the spores, which are considered toxic.

When the stores settle on an area with excessive water, the mold starts to grow. These areas can be roofs leak, leaking pipes, indoor plant pots and as a result of flooding. Ideal temperature for the growth occurs between 68 and 86 degrees F. When the water supply is terminated, the mold can still grow, it does so by retaining a water vapor in the mycelial mat. When the mold is wet, its spores are not aerosolized easily, unlike dry mold, which allows the release of spores when disturbed.

Black mold settles on a surface where it cans obtain nutrients. Surfaces like plasterboard, which has a starch layer, or paper surfaces. These materials contain high levels of cellulose, a food source for the mold.

Once black mold finds the right conditions indoors, it starts flourishing. Usually it is found in hidden areas and by the time it's observed, the contamination may already be extensive. Mold can also form in areas where condensation occurs--on walls or along windows. Strachybotrys is the commonly found mold in homes that have flooded. Because of the toxicity of the mold, cleanup is usually left up to the professionals, unless the contamination is small. In that case, use a solution of bleach (1/4 cup of bleach) dissolved in water (1 quart) to effectively kill the mold. After cleaning with bleach, wash the area with regular soap and water to remove any residual mold.

Black mold toxicity is from the inhalation of the toxic gases or from skin contact of the toxic spores. Exposure to black mold causes to irritation in the mouth, nose and throat, leading to necrosis, nervous disorders and eventually death. The mycotxins cause inflammations that are manifested by headaches, flu-like symptoms, fatigue and headaches. If you have a mold problem, seek professional help before attempting to rid the mold yourself. Correct moisture-related problems before the mold starts to grow.