Indoor Black Mold Life Cycle and Associated Health Issues
Molds are invisible organisms that reproduce by spreading spores. Molds, often called fungi, are part of the environment and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Molds break down organic materials to form simpler compounds and elements. They grow on dead leaves, trees, wood and derive their nutrition from these materials, allowing for nutrient recycling throughout the ecosystem. Molds and fungi are the lowest level members of the Food Pyramid.
Mold is just about everywhere inside and outside your home. Being microscopic organisms, molds are not visible to human eyes unless they colonize. Mold grows on almost any surface, including uncovered food, dead organic matter, etc. Water and moisture are necessary for molds to grow and amplify.
Mold life cycle:
Spores are spread by air, dust particles, or any other container and begin to grow as soon as the surface, food, and proper temperature are moistened. Hyphae, a threadlike structure, secrete enzymes that break down contaminated organic matter for nutrition. The molds then begin to develop mycelium, the main part of the mold’s body.
Under proper environmental conditions such as light, air, water, and nutrition, black mold begins to develop spores within the hyphal cells. The spores, after reaching maturity, are released into the air. Mold spores can lie dormant for years, waiting for the right environmental conditions to grow.
When these spores begin to invade your home and the spore count in the air is higher than outside, the chances of mold colonies forming inside the home increase. Even if the spores get a small open watery surface in any dark place, they stick to it, germinate, and mold formation begins. Unlike the spores and body of a single mold, mold colonies are visible to the naked eye. Molds when they infect a surface leave black spots and that is the reason molds are often called black mold.
In addition to surface staining and discoloration, mold can be recognized by its pungent odor. This smell helps people detect molds if they have chosen a hidden place to grow. Inspect places near the water source or where water can seep in and wet the surface.
Possible health problems and remedies:
Living in a room with black mold could lead to health problems for humans and pets. Higher numbers of spores in the air lead to respiratory disorders, asthma, and more serious health threats. Some species of mold are toxic; produce mycotoxins that have adverse effects on human health. Both adults and children can suffer from various health problems, such as nausea, headache, fatigue, watery eyes, excessive sneezing, irritation of the skin, eyes, lungs, etc. Even dead mold bodies can lead to breathing difficulties and skin rashes.
The amount of black mold and fungus that lead to health problems varies from person to person. Being ubiquitous, mold is everywhere. But when they spread in large numbers within a covered space, problems begin. Black spots on walls, carpets, drywall, and the typical musty odor indicate significant mold growth that can be removed with the help of mold cleaners.
The first step is to open the windows and let air flow into the rooms so that the spores are blown away. With adequate sunlight, humidity decreases and mold growth stops. If the condition is worse, consult a professional mold inspector and controllers.