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Black Mold Research Paper

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Black Mold A Home and Health Killer - Rodney Lemay What is Black Mold: Often overlooked as it can be hard to spot in certain situations, black mold can creep up on anyone. It can easily grow in almost any home on earth as production conditions remain rather basic coupled with mold being a-sexual and it also tends to favor hidden, less seen spots to reproduce freely. Totaling over 100,000 species, mold is a type of fungi that can produce toxins which have varying effects on the human body. The body can have positive reactions to some types of mold whereas others are life threatening and can pose harm to long term well being. Stachybotrys, a genus of what is commonly referred to as black mold, is considered toxic and harmful to people and even …show more content…

The main concern behind most types of mold is respiratory health and can be especially dangerous to individuals with pre existing respiratory illnesses and also childs, kids and teenagers still in the developmental phases. Troubles breathing, coughing and sore throats are all basic effects mold can have on the body including other allergy type symptoms such as nasal irritation causing sneezing, runny or stuffy noses. Mold also opens people up to becoming more susceptible to fungal infections with can be deadly. Long term exposure to black mold can cause more severe reactions such as nausea, vomiting and bleeding and chances are at the point it has already damaged the house too. Water is often the main catalyst in the growth of mold as it is often all a mold spore needs to reproduce. Water covers the majority of the earth, makes up the majority organic compounds and is essential to life. It is in the air we breathe, the houses we live in and can be hard to control. It can form on windows, pipes and many other materials when the conditions are right and this often goes unchecked. Pipes can drip water from spots we generally don't even see to begin with into even harder spots to reach. Water can also travel in the form of steam and condensation into the smallest nooks and crannies of a house. It can soak into carpets, drywall and other porous materials that will …show more content…

However, bleach is a reactive chemical and can potentially become life threatening when mixed with other products. A half cup of bleach (120mL of fluid), added to a gallon of water(4L of fluid), should be more than enough to destroy any contaminants. Not only are the toxins from mold dangerous, but also the chemicals used to destroy it. Much of the same personal protective equipment a professional hired to remove mold would wear is also advisable for anyone looking to remove the mold themselves even if it may seem over protective. Glasses and/or a facemask as eye protection from any splashing, a respiratory mask for bleach fumes and more importantly mold toxins. Rubber gloves, boots and even some body protection should be worn as many of the objects that will come in contact of mold will most likely need to be destroyed. The easiest way to fight mold is to prevent it from even growing. Molds worst enemy is cleanliness. Knowing where moisture builds up and keeping those areas clean is effectively the simplest way to

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