When your basement floods, the immediate damage is obvious: water damage to floors and rugs, ruined papers, and so on. But there are some dangers that will take time to show up after flooding, in particular, mold. Mold thrives in damp spaces, and so a waterlogged basement is its ideal location. It is important to have mold removed when you find it, and it is also important to know what the harmful types of mold are so that you can identify and eliminate them.
Stachbotrys
This mold family is one of the most toxic varieties out there. Much like the flu virus, the effects of this mold are most often seen in the very young and the elderly, as well as those who already have weakened immune systems. Many of the symptoms may manifest like a cold would: stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, and general achiness. But don’t dismiss it as your typical cold; if left unchecked, the diseases this mold can cause could have serious consequences.
Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Fusarium
These three mold families cause many respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and lung infections. If you or a member of your family is experiencing trouble breathing and you know you recently had a flooding or water damage issue, be sure to check for mold, as one of these three could be the source of your problem.
Aspergillus
Though of the five main types of toxic mold this is the least toxic, it is still important to remove Aspergillus molds if you discover them. It can still cause hay fever-like symptoms and be a general hazard to your health, though not a fatal one.
When you discover mold growing in your home, immediately call on professionals to test and safely remove it. Do not attempt to touch the mold yourself or to remove it by scraping, as this could release more spores into the air and cause even more issues than before. Mold can be found on walls, carpets, ceiling tiles, or any number of surfaces in your house, and professionals will perform a thorough inspection and safely remove any mold that they find to keep you and your family healthy.
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Source:
http://www.legalinfo.com/content/toxic-mold/what-types-of-mold-are-considered-toxic-mold.html