Tag Archives: Mold Information

What Color Can Mold Be? Is It Always Black?

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Unsure of What Mold Lurks in Your Office?

Unsure of What Mold Lurks in Your Office?

Do you know what color mold is? If your answer is “black,” you’re only partially correct. While black mold gets most of the attention, mold comes in thousands of varieties and a wide range of colors.

Here’s an overview of the most commonly found types of mold and their colors. Experts agree that regardless of the color, interior mold growth should be treated with professional mold remediation.

Greenish-Black

Stachbotrys, the scientific name for black mold, is more accurately described as greenish-black. This species feeds on high-cellulose, low-nitrogen materials, such as drywall or paper, that have a constant source of moisture from flooding, leaks or humidity.

Yellow, Green or Black

These colors are often a sign of Aspergillus, a mold that’s frequently found both indoors and outdoors. Since this mold is so widespread, you inhale the spores nearly every day without ill effects. Aspergillus can cause a serious illness called Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in people with preexisting lung problems or compromised immune systems.

Blue, Green or White

Lighter colors are usually associated with Penicillum, which is often found on food. Penicillum was the genesis for the discovery of the penicillin antibiotic.

Black or Grey

Black or grey Alternaria is generally found outdoors around damp soil and plants. However, one study found Alternaria in more than 90 percent of the household dust samples that were tested.

Need Mold Treatment in Your NYC or Northern NJ Home?

Traditional mold remediation is no longer the standard treatment. We use an eco-friendly two-step process that can usually be completed in one day, and without any structural damage. Contact Stern Mold today to schedule your free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information

Introducing Our New Mold Information Resource

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Get the Information You Need on Mold!

Get the Information You Need on Mold!

In recent years, the problem of interior mold growth and its effect on building occupants has gained an increasing amount of attention. With everything that’s being written on the topic, how can you tell the difference between facts and misinformation?

Our experts at Stern Mold have created a Mold Information Center on our website to promote understanding of these fungi along with how and why it should be treated. Here are some of the questions you will find addressed in the Center.

What are the Top Five Types of Mold Found Inside Homes and Buildings?

Mold is a far-ranging category that includes more than 100,000 identified varieties. Only biologists and other scientific researchers need to go into that amount of depth, so we provide an overview of the types of mold most commonly found indoors.

Is All Mold Toxic?

Much of the reporting about mold has focused on toxic or black mold, so some people have come to believe that those terms apply to any type of mold found in homes and other buildings. We explain the true meanings of those two terms as they refer to mold.

What Are Mold Spores? Why is Treatment Important?

One shortcoming of traditional mold remediation is that it can actually spread infestations by dispersing spores. Learn why effective treatment includes elimination of spores as well as the actual growth.

Stern Mold: Serving NYC and Northern NJ since 1995

Our two-stage MoldExterm treatment is more effective and less invasive than traditional mold remediation, and it provides protection against future infestations. Visit our website for more information and schedule your free mold inspection by our professionally trained technicians.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Tips

Mold 101: What Is a Mycotoxin from Mold?

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Close-up of Mold Mycellium

Close-up of Mold Mycellium

Much of the risk associated with indoor infestations of mold and fungus is due to substances called mycotoxins. You probably recognize that the root word “toxin” refers to poison, but what else do you need to know about these potentially harmful substances?

How Mycotoxins are Ingested

Mycotoxins are invisible to the naked eye. They can be as small as 0.1 microns, making them even more microscopic than mold spores, which range from one to 20 microns. Their minute size and airborne nature make it impossible to create an effective barrier.

Most mycotoxins enter through the respiratory system, where they can cause problems ranging from sneezing and coughing to asthma attacks. Others pass through skin or the membranes of the eyes, while toxic mold on crops can result in people or animals ingesting mycotoxins via food.

Treating Mycotoxins

You may hear talk about killing mycotoxins, but they are not living organisms, so the process really involves breaking down mycotoxins and neutralizing their toxicity.

• Bleach that includes five percent sodium hypochlorite kills some of the more common mycotoxins, including trichothecene and aflatoxin.

• The intense heat of fire can destroy mycotoxins. At 500°F, detoxification takes 30 minutes.

• Ozone is effective against most mycotoxins, but it requires a level that is unsafe for humans.

Mycotoxins will eventually break down on their own, but it can take several years for some varieties.

Traditional mold remediation can disperse spores and mycotoxins into the air, allowing them to settle and take hold in other areas. Our MoldExterm process removes mold and fungus quickly and efficiently while preventing future outbreaks. Contact Stern Mold today for a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, Mold Treatment

Is All Black Colored Mold Dangerous?

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With all the attention given to the problem of black mold in homes and buildings, people have come to assume that all such growths are toxic. In reality, there are types of dark-colored mold referred to as “cosmetic” that present little danger to your home or your health.

But if you discover black mold, how can you tell which type it is? Here is some helpful information about identifying and treating cosmetic mold.

What causes cosmetic mold?

Framing lumber used in building construction sometimes comes with a harmless form of black mold. These “bluestain” fungi develop mainly on sapwood, which is the main part of a tree used for building lumber.

Recognizing the signs

Indoor mold growth is usually uninterrupted, spreading out to neighboring surfaces. An interrupted patch of mold that appears to have stopped along a random straight line is the most common evidence of cosmetic mold. For instance, you may see mold that stops at the cut end of a rafter, or side-by-side beams where only one has growth.

Steps to take when discovering cosmetic mold

If black mold is found on dry wood in configurations as described above with no signs of active growth, no action is needed. However, the presence of cosmetic mold can support the growth of other, more troublesome varieties. Inspect and monitor areas of cosmetic mold for the appearance of active colonies or major risk factors such as dampness.

Why take a chance attempting to identify mold on your own? Get peace of mind with a free mold inspection by our experienced technicians at Stern Mold. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips, Mold Treatment, News

The EPA on Hidden Mold

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Mold isn’t always visible, but it can still cause a wide range of health problems. When mold spores find a damp spot indoors, they can grow and spread, possibly leading to health issues, such as sneezing, skin rashes or asthma attacks.

If you’ve noticed a moldy odor but don’t see anything growing, your home could contain hidden mold. The EPA provides some valuable mold information on this potential problem.

Where Hidden Mold Grows

Mold that isn’t visible can grow in several places indoors, including the following:

  • Underneath carpeting
  • On top of ceiling tiles
  • Behind drywall or wallpaper
  • Around pipes inside walls
  • Inside ducts

When to Check for Hidden Mold

Schedule a home mold inspection if you can smell but not see any signs of mold. If your home has had water damage, keep in mind that mold can easily thrive in the affected areas if they weren’t cleaned, dried and repaired promptly. If you or someone in your family experiences health issues that could be caused by mold, such as irritated eyes or frequent sneezing, have a professional check for hidden mold, especially if you’ve had water damage.

Don’t Do Your Own Inspection

Don’t peel back wallpaper or remove ceiling tiles to look for signs of mold growth. Doing so can cause a large number of mold spores to be released into your home, which could make the problem worse. Let a professional mold inspector check for hidden mold safely to reduce this risk.

For more mold information or to schedule a free mold inspection, contact Stern Mold. Our mold specialists can look for hidden mold in your home or business and safely treat to kill it.

Posted in Mold Identification, MoldExterm, News
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