All molds are some type of fungus. Mold grows on organic matter such as plants, food, wood, and soil, as well as floors, ceilings, and drywall. Where there is moisture, there is the chance mold spores are germinating and accumulating.
Now as nice as it is to think of mold as a natural recycler of dead organic matter, it’s really not great for humans to be exposed to it for long periods of time. Unfortunately, as mold spreads and recycles organic matter, it can cause damage to your house or business structure, and even worse, it can do some serious harm to your health.
The painful truth is, a flood doesn’t have to happen in order to experience mold in your home or business. Different molds grow in different environments and some spread like wildfire throughout an entire structure. Some molds are more harmful than others, and some mold spores spread faster than others.
And, not all mold is black! That’s right! There are a multitude of mold color types! It comes in a spectrum of colors, each having unique health dangers.
Spectrum of Mold Colors
Usually, colonies of mold are small and aren’t visible without a microscope. However, once it erupts into a huge colony and is visible, it’s at its most harmful. It’s important to know your mold colors and the health hazards.
Black Mold
It’s the most well-known and feared mold color, but did you know there are a variety of black molds? It’s important to remove black mold from your home, regardless of the type.
This is “the black mold” of all black molds, and usually looks black or greenish-black. It’s normally found in wet areas, like after a flood or an on-going leak, as well as decaying wood, paper, and even foods. If there’s constant moisture, the mold grows, and it produces a mycotoxin that when “disturbed” will launch into the air. Breathing it in can cause death, along with other health hazards like headaches, sneezing, coughing, rashes, blood poisoning and more.
This is not as dangerous as Stachybotrys and is often found outdoors. It can set off your asthma but normally doesn’t have major health risks.
An extremely common type of mold but if people are exposed to it for long periods of time it can cause some respiratory problems with those having pre-existing conditions.
Got decomposing leaves outside? Black-colored mold can probably be seen in it, and when walking through the leaves, that mold can be tracked all through your house. It’ll continue to grow, and cause skin rashes, eye irritation, and sinus infections.
White Mold
Homeowners know just how common white mold is around a house. Luckily, if it is white, it usually means it’s brand new mold just starting to grow that hasn’t had a chance to produce and release spores. However, it’s extremely difficult to identify because it’s mostly powder-like.
White mold doesn’t really grow on plants, but thrives on porous materials like wood, and drywall. Finding it before it starts to eat away and destroy the material it’s growing on. Because white mold is so hard to see without proper tools used by professionals, it can go undetected for long periods of time, resulting in chronic health issues that mimic allergies.
If you’re experiencing itchy eyes, respiratory problems, or sinus infections and can’t seem to ever shake them, bring in a professional to inspect your home for mold. They can find white mold your naked eye cannot even see.
Never attempt to clean white mold yourself after it has been identified, as some strands are from the Penicillin family and can cause serious allergic reactions if not handled in the right way.
Green Mold
Green is mold’s “signature color”. What’s that mean? Green is the most common color for mold, and there are so many types of mold that appear green at some point during their growth and spreading, it would boggle your mind. Unfortunately, finding green mold is so common that it’s pretty difficult to identify exactly what type of mold it is, but green usually falls into Aspergillus, Penicillium, or Cladosporium.
You’ll probably notice some unexplainable eye irritation, respiratory issues, skin rashes, and maybe sinus infections if you’re exposed to green mold. Your best bet is to bring in a professional to test for mold throughout your home, and perform a thorough cleaning of the affected areas.
Brown Mold
Brown mold is quite versatile. It spreads quickly on hard services, has a musty scent, and can fall into multiple mold types that have minor health hazards. However, it can also fall into the Mucor class of mold, which is dangerous.
Mucor brown mold can cause a blood infection known as MUCORMYCOSIS, which can be life-threatening. Since it’s extremely difficult to know just where brown mold is in the growth process, it’s best to always call a professional if you see any shade of brown mold in your home.
Pink Mold
Okay, so not all things labeled as mold are actually “mold”. Pink mold is often found wherever there’s soap residue, like a bathtub or shower, and even a shower curtain, when they haven’t been cleaned for a long period of time. This “mold” is actually a Serratia Marcescens, which is a bacterium, not a funghi.
A professional isn’t necessary for this clean-up, it’s just a matter of making sure you clean your bathroom regularly. If you don’t really notice anything “pink”, but have some respiratory problems or urinary tract infections, it might be from pink mold.
Orange Mold
Purple Mold
Red Mold
Mold of Any Color Type is Still Dangerous
No matter the color, or the type of mold growing in your home, as pretty as it might look, it’s quite dangerous. Health hazards, whether they’re life threatening or a daily nuisance, aren’t anything to ignore. If you’re experiencing unexplained health issues, and nothing seems to work to get them under control, it’s time to explore your surroundings further. Contact a mold remediation specialist and get a free mold inspection, it could mean the difference between suffering from health issues to enjoying a healthy daily lifestyle!
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