Black Mold: Health Risks and What to Do

What is black mold?

Black mold usually refers to a dark greenish-black mold that tends to grow on damp, porous materials like drywall and wood that stay wet. Like all mold, it needs moisture to grow. Many molds look dark, so the color alone does not identify the exact type, but any significant indoor growth should be addressed.

Health risks to be aware of

Reactions vary from person to person. Infants, older adults, and people with allergies, asthma or weakened immune systems tend to be more sensitive.

• Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and congestion.
• Irritated eyes, throat and skin.
• Worsening asthma or allergy symptoms.
• Headaches and fatigue with prolonged exposure.

What not to do

The wrong response can make things worse by spreading spores through the home.

• Do not scrub or disturb large areas of mold, which releases spores into the air.
• Do not just paint over it, which hides the problem while it keeps growing.
• Do not rely on bleach for porous surfaces, which does not remove the root growth.
• Do not ignore the moisture source, or the mold will return.

The safe way to handle black mold

Professional remediation follows a process designed to remove mold without spreading it: assessment to find the extent and the moisture source, containment of the area, safe removal and disposal of affected materials, cleaning and air filtration, and correcting the moisture problem so it does not come back.

When to call a professional

Small surface mold on non-porous surfaces can sometimes be cleaned, but larger areas, mold on porous materials, or any mold linked to health symptoms should be handled professionally. If you are concerned about black mold, our mold remediation team can assess and safely remove it. Call (425) 772-9467.