Toxic Mold Health Risk During Flood

Stachybotrys Chartarum is a greenish-black fungi found worldwide that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material such as straw, hay, wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation, etc. The fungus, before drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch.Stachybotrys is considered a toxic mold and is one of the major health risk providers. Species of Black MoldThere are about fifteen species of Stachybotrys worldwide. Contrary to popular belief, this type of fungus does not grow on plastic, vinyl, concrete products, or ceramic tiles. Neither is it found in the green mold on bread or in the black mold on shower tiles.The toxic mold environmental risk may be one of the next major real estate “due diligenceâ€� concerns, especially in property development areas where major flooding has occurred.The problem is that the existence of toxic molds not only includes residential and commercial area flood incidents, but also numerous minor water releases due to plumbing failures, conductive condensation, house water leaks and accidents.The toxic mold concern could also be a problem where fires have occurred on residential properties.For some people, exposure to the toxic mold spores may stay just a “risk�. To others, it may be a real health hazard, with life-threatening results.Health Risk or Health Hazard?Whether a potential liability concern is just health risk or a major hazard, there will be paramount in defining the critical level of due diligence and disclosure response by responsible parties.There are already several major lawsuits concerning toxic mold exposure in residential and commercial buildings throughout the United States.The 10 most common health risks associated with toxic mold are:1. pulmonary hemorrhage or pulmonary hemosiderosis (primarily in infants)2. nose bleeds3. immune system suppression (resulting in increasing numbers of infections)4. hair loss5. dermatitis6. chronic fatigue7. psychological depression8. diarrhea9. sore throats10. headaches and other flu-like symptomsCan All Toxic Mold Be Eliminated?One of the major concerns that many experts have is that one might not be able to permanently eliminate ALL of the toxic mold from a structure.There also remains a great propensity for future re-occurrence. It is therefore recommended that great care be exercised to remove and dispose of all products that have been contaminated by the toxic mold.Another concern is that states Health Departments will consider ambiguous and genetic disposition as a response to the inquiries about toxic mold that is made by the public.There will be some people, especially children, which will exhibit more adverse reactions than other persons exposed to the toxic mold. Some of these reactions will include death, lung tissue damage and memory loss.This may also depend on the chemical sensitivity, genetic disposition, and predisposing health history.Currently, most health organizations consider exposure to toxic mold a health risk and hazard. Keep in mind that most responses leading to testing, investigations, and abatement of the toxic mold are due directly to occupant complaints or documented detrimental health effects. For more info, check the links below:flood west auckland, flood northshore, flood