Mold Testing: Do you have Toxic or Non-Toxic Black Mold? 

Mold testing can help you determine whether or not the black mold in your home is toxic or non toxic. Mold growth of any kind, regardless of colour, texture, or location, is a problem in homes, and mold testing in Toronto can help you determine the most efficient way to remove it. 

Mold growth in your home happens for many reasons. Some are related to problems out of your control, like damage from storms, poor or aging construction, or burst pipes or broken appliances. Other things that cause mold growth include:

• indoor humidity above 50%
• leaking pipes
• condensation
• roof leaks
• poor ventilation
• flooding

If you see a pattern in this list, you’re not alone: water is the key ingredient in many of these common causes of mold growth. Being aware of where water is affecting your home can help you determine where mold testing can be most effective. 

Determining the Difference Between Toxic and Non-Toxic Black Mold

What is black mold? Most people have heard of black mold, often referred to as stachybotrys chartarum. But what most of us don’t realize is that there are many different black molds, and some of them are completely harmless. So how do you know whether the mold in your home is toxic or not? 

Stachybotrys chartarum often looks greenish-black and has a gelatinous, slimy, or slippery texture. If its moisture source runs out, toxic black mold can also appear dry and powdery, which makes identification even more difficult. Because of the many hundreds (if not thousands!) of different kinds of mold in the environment, it’s impossible to visually determine what type of mold is present in your home. Mold testing is the only way too determine with scientific accuracy whether or not the black mold in your home is toxic or not.

Health Effects Caused by Toxic Black Mold

Stachybotrys became the most infamous black mold because of its specific and serious effects on human health, and being aware of these symptoms can be helpful when trying to determine the cause of ill health. 

Toxic black mold is so dangerous because it releases mycotoxins, which are naturally occurring toxins that the mold produces and releases into the air. The airborne nature of these toxins makes humans very susceptible to their effect, since they can then be breathed in or land in our eyes, on our skin, or get lodged in our airways. 

While all molds can cause allergic responses, toxic black mold has specific and serious effects. Some of the common symptoms of toxic black mold include: 

• Serious irritation of the mucous membranes (nose, throat)
• Chronic fatigue
• Mental health problems
• Immune system suppression
• Nausea
• Hemorrhage
• Inflammation

Professional Mold Testing Can Help

When it comes to mold growth in your home, take it seriously and get professional help. A professional mold test will give you the most comprehensive science-based information about what’s going on in your home and what types of mold are present. When it comes to mold removal or remediation, knowledge is always power - the more we know about what types of mold are present, the better we can help to safely and efficiently remove it from your home. 

A professional mold test in your home will involve taking air and, if possible, physical samples from any visible mold growth. At MoldTech, we send these samples to a third party laboratory, which provides us with impartial and detailed results. This information can be taken to insurers or landlords, and helps us work together to plan the most efficient and safe way to remove any mold. 

Work with MoldTech to Remove Black Mold

There’s a reason we take black mold growth in homes seriously - it’s a biohazard that will seriously affect the health and safety of you and your family. MoldTech has over a decade of experience performing black mold removal and remediation in Southern Ontario, and has successfully worked with homeowners, landlords, commercial properties and property managers to safely and permanently remove black mold. When it comes to black mold removal, the professional approach ensures your safety - when disturbed, black mold releases thousands of microscopic spores and mycotoxins into the air, spreading the infestation and increasing the severity of your symptoms. 

Call us at 1-866-684-7684 for more information about mold testing Toronto. We’re happy to answer any of your questions and to offer our professional expertise during a free visual mold inspection. Get in touch by phone or online.