How dangerous is black mold in the house for the human body and how to get rid of it is a complex question that worries many people. After all, some residents have to periodically deal with the appearance of black mold fungi in their own apartment or private house. It is extremely unpleasant to see colonies of fungi on products that have been lying on the shelf for a long time, or on the walls in the bathroom and other rooms.
This problem should be dealt with immediately, because mold provokes various diseases in family members. However, it is not possible to do this quickly in all cases, but you also cannot leave the problem without a solution. In order to find the best way to get rid of the scourge, we will look at the dangerous consequences of fungi, what types most often appear in apartments and how to deal with them yourself.
How dangerous is black mold in the house for the human body and how to get rid of it?
What types of black mold are there?
If you don’t look closely, at first glance it will seem that traces of mold are ordinary dirt that can be quickly removed. However, this is not the case at all.
Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.
Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.
Mold plaque is multiple colonies of small fungi that settle on almost any surface. In addition, they differ in types, so before starting the fight, it is necessary to consider them in detail.
Black aspergillus
This is a microscopic organism that actively spreads in places where moisture accumulates: in the bathroom, in the kitchen, in a room with a swimming pool. Often fungi can be found in the air humidifier, on the rubber seal near the drum of the washing machine.
Colonies of black mold actively spread on floors that come into contact with water (walls, ceilings), as well as on cardboard book covers and flower pots. However, the main place where spores accumulate is between the tiles in the bathroom or toilet.
Fungus in macro zoom
If you examine colonies of fungi under a microscope, you will notice that they look harmless. However, they not only undermine human health, but can also cause death.
If there are spores on surfaces or any objects indoors, they continue to spread through the air. This means that fungi quickly settle on our food and personal belongings. In addition, apartment residents and pets inhale these microorganisms in the air every day, which is why they accumulate in the respiratory system.
Even if at first you do not notice any dangerous consequences, then after a few months or years this will lead to serious illnesses:
- inflammation of the membranes of the brain;
- myocarditis;
- bronchitis or pneumonia;
- irritation of the nasal mucosa.
Cases have been reported where excessive accumulation of fungal spores has caused the formation of papillomas and even cancer cells. If, with one breath, a huge amount of spores penetrates a person’s lungs, he may experience toxic damage to the body. In the presence of weak protective functions (which is common among the population), this will inevitably lead to death.
It is the spores of this fungus that provoke the disease - aspergilloma of lung tissue. Thus, fungal spores first enter the nasopharynx, then move to the bronchi and other respiratory organs.
The main danger is that disputes are developing rapidly
The vital activity of colonies contributes to the release of dangerous substances, due to which necrotic foci form on the tissues. Over time, these lesions increase in size and lung tissue dies, causing suffocation and death.
Fuming Aspergillus
This is also a dangerous type of fungus, the main difference of which is its resistance to high temperatures (up to 60 degrees). Such fungi have microscopic spores, their size is less than 2.5 microns, so they enter the respiratory tract with air currents.
It is worth noting that people with strong immunity can breathe air saturated with fungal spores every day, which will not cause dire consequences. However, not every person can now boast of ideal health, so inhaling spores is extremely dangerous for people with reduced protective functions of the body.
The risk of an increase in the number of patients increases when repair work is carried out near hospitals, because in hospitals there are patients with poor health, whose bodies are vulnerable to any negative impact. Therefore, in such situations, the air is checked for the presence of fungal spores.
This is what colonies of fungi look like when they were grown on a plate in a laboratory study - as a rule, the spores have a greenish tint
Green mold rapidly spreads on the fruits of fruit trees, in places of damage. If you notice that mold quickly forms on your bread, then most likely the flour was made from affected grain.
The main danger of fungi of this type is that they accumulate in the human body and then provoke various types of allergic reactions. In addition, when entering the hematopoietic system, the spores destroy red blood cells. Increased intoxication of the body prevents the strengthening of the immune system.
Alternaria
This is another equally dangerous type of mold. Colonies of these fungi can have different appearances - this also depends on the environment in which they settle. Often dark spots appear on surfaces, but sometimes they have a different shade.
Almost always, these are the fungi that settle on vegetation. You can find them on fallen leaves in the fall, as well as on vegetables and fruits that have been lying on the shelf for a long time. In addition, spores are formed on the soil cover.
It is worth noting that such fungi appear on any food product, even meat. In addition, they are distributed on fabrics of natural origin. Toxic secretions of fungi poison and destroy seedlings, including grain crops.
Affected bulbs
Almost every person has seen vegetables on store shelves that have mold on them, and therefore you should not bring such a source of fungi into your apartment.
In timber houses, spores spread faster than in structures made of concrete or brick. They reproduce in the presence of heat and slight humidity. Direct damage is observed through direct contact with mold spores, however, poisoning can also be caused by toxic waste products of colonies.
Toxic substances provoke the development of bronchitis, asthma, and skin rashes. In addition, fungal spores cause the development of an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to them.
Toxic substances provoke the development of bronchitis
Symptoms of mold in the room and in your body
According to most people, the harm from these microorganisms consists only in the fact that food has to be thrown away, and aesthetically unattractive stains grow on surfaces. But think about it, just 1 m2 of fungus is capable of producing more than 1 billion spores per day. Imagine what will happen if the question of how to deal with black mold in the bathroom (or any other) is not addressed for a week, a month, a year. Microorganisms spread around will settle on your skin, enter the respiratory and blood tract, and into food (and with it into the stomach). Are you sure you can withstand such massive impact?
The answer “yes” will only be relevant if you know not only how to deal with black mold, but also how to identify the symptoms of its harmful effects on the body. The damage occurs slowly and is unnoticed in the first stages, but if you experience the symptoms described below, we recommend that you check with a doctor before it is too late. The defeat affects:
- The respiratory organs, which are the first stronghold, are attacked by countless spores and microorganisms. If you don't take the time to clean up mold in your bathroom, it can lead to asthma, allergies, bronchopulmonary/invasive aspergillosis, and even death. A signal for an unscheduled check of your health may be difficulty breathing for no apparent reason, cough and runny nose, sore throat and nosebleeds.
- The eyes and skin are the next affected area, problems with which should make you think about how to remove mold in the bathroom. Moving freely through the air, mold spores settle on all exposed areas of your body, causing irritation and itching of the skin, as well as increased tearing of the eyes. Prolonged contact with mold can even develop into serious diseases, such as conjunctivitis or dermatosis.
- Internal organs are most vulnerable to mold. If the infection enters your body through the circulatory system or through food, the consequences can be extremely dangerous. The risk zone includes the kidneys, liver and the entire gastrointestinal tract, not to mention the fact that blood poisoning is quite likely. The signals in this case are very vague: migraine, problems with bowel movements, increased fatigue. But if they do not go away within at least 4 days, it’s time to make an appointment with a doctor.
Once the infection has already occurred, solving the question of how to remove mold in the bathroom will not restore your health. Therefore, you should not delay eliminating the infection, but it is better to immediately turn to professionals.
What promotes the growth of fungi?
We only looked at the risk of mold spreading. However, in order to get rid of this problem, it is necessary to become familiar with the reasons why microorganisms multiply. It is necessary to find out which ways the spores get inside in order to carry out control measures in a timely manner.
Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.
Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.
Heat and moisture are factors that promote the proliferation of microorganisms. Active growth of colonies often occurs at air humidity above 75% and temperatures from 20 to 30 degrees. If the room is not yet properly ventilated, colonies will spread much faster.
It can be much easier to prevent mold from appearing than to deal with the consequences of this scourge.
Moreover, in order to eliminate dangerous causes, no financial investments will be required, because even basic ventilation of the room can save the situation.
There are other factors influencing this process that are usually ignored. So, it is obvious that the problem has increased with the advent of new technologies for construction work.
Plastic windows and doors
Now almost all owners of apartments and private houses are switching to plastic windows, because such structures provide sound insulation compared to their wooden counterparts.
In addition, plastic windows retain heat in the room in the best way and do not require complex maintenance. As a rule, plastic structures are characterized by long-term operation. However, improper installation and continued use of plastic windows leads to the spread of mold.
Often fumes accumulate on window glass if they are installed by an unqualified technician.
The peculiarity is that such structures are closed hermetically, this in turn disrupts the air circulation that exists in the presence of wooden structures. In addition, condensation on the surface accumulates even if the number of glasses is incorrectly selected, poor-quality materials, or violations during the installation process.
This means that the presence of plastic windows or doors increases indoor humidity. However, window manufacturers anticipated this problem and created a special ventilation valve. Therefore, regardless of the time of year, it is recommended to ventilate the room, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid the accumulation of fungal colonies.
In a special article we will tell you why plastic windows fog up inside and can this be avoided?
Consequences of excessive dampness - mold spots on slopes and walls
Plasterboard panels
This building material is preferred by many craftsmen, because its use allows you to finish even an uneven wall. In addition, such panels are used to make shaped partitions and various structures with horizontal and vertical elements.
Therefore, in order not to turn the room into a real “breeding ground” for mold, it is necessary to adhere to the installation rules. So, when finishing the panels, you should wait time for the plaster to dry.
Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.
Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.
If you are going to use plasterboard to finish a room with a high level of humidity, then you need to choose panels that are suitable for such conditions. In addition, during the finishing process, primer and plaster with the addition of antiseptics should be used.
When making plasterboard structures, it should be taken into account that this material absorbs moisture, which lingers inside for a long time
Poor ventilation
It is quite rare that windows are installed indoors in a plumbing unit, but in addition, there is often no normal ventilation there. Because of this, there is an excessive level of moisture inside, because a bath, shower, washing machine, clothes dryer and towels are installed there - natural ventilation is clearly not enough here.
All that remains is to install a high-quality exhaust system. This will solve the existing mold problem and also prevent it from recurring.
Constant contact of floors with water causes rapid growth of fungal colonies
Floor humidity
There are often situations when, when creating a project for an apartment or private building, the point of formation of evaporation on the floors is not taken into account. This leads to the fact that during heavy rains or cold weather the walls freeze and become damp. Over time, mold colonies will spread on surfaces.
The danger is that at first the fungi appear from the outside, but after a while they rush into the depths of the ceiling and grow inside. The process occurs much faster when there is damage and microcracks on the walls.
Often the source of fungi is the basement, where there is high humidity at any time of the year. From there, the spores spread to other rooms through ventilation.
If we are talking about your own home, then you need to take care of creating reliable ventilation yourself. When the source of mold is the basement of a multi-story building, you should contact the housing office employees.
The presence of multiple colonies of black mold contributes to the weakening of load-bearing walls, therefore there is a risk of destruction
The main causes of black mold in the house
Fungal spores are always present in the air. To activate them, certain conditions are required: constant temperature (above +20 degrees) and a high humidity threshold. Errors in the design of ventilation and heating systems lead to stagnation of indoor air. Water vapor is formed. Condensation accumulates on wooden surfaces. This encourages mold to grow. There are many varieties of fungi.
White mold in a frame house (mukor) is the most dangerous phenomenon. It does not pose a particular threat to human health, but in just four months such a fungus can destroy boards up to four centimeters thick. It is extremely difficult to fight him. In some cases, it may be easier to completely burn the building and prevent the fungus from spreading throughout the village.
Blue stains on the walls of a wooden house are also not a rare occurrence. This fungus attacks the fiber of the tree. When water gets there, the base begins to rapidly rot. You can recognize the presence of mold by its characteristic coloring. For humans, the described type of microorganism is harmless, so its spores are used to produce cheese delicacies.
How to deal with black mold?
If you find even a slight build-up of mold in your apartment, you should immediately begin to combat the problem. Otherwise, you risk missing the time during which the disputes will have time to spread further.
Most often, housewives use special antifungal drugs that can be found in the store. They already contain components that prevent the formation of mold. This category includes the following products: “ABEDIS 06”, “Dali”, “Ceresit” .
An ultraviolet lamp helps get rid of various types of fungi. Just before you turn on this device, you should make sure that there are no people, animals or plants in the room.
A UV lamp destroys fungal spores in any quantity, because it’s not for nothing that they settle outdoors only in the shade
Expert opinion: Masalsky A.V.
Editor of the “construction” category on the Stroyday.ru portal. Specialist in engineering systems and drainage.
If there is mold on any items, they must be removed from the apartment and disposed of. When fungi accumulate on smooth surfaces (glass, tiles), the problem can be dealt with using folk remedies, which we will consider in more detail.
Table 1. Traditional recipes for mold.
| Remedy, illustration | Mode of application |
| A non-toxic product that can be found in the kitchen of every apartment. It is enough to dissolve soda with water and spray the surface with a spray bottle, and then wipe with a cloth. |
| It is necessary to apply acid to the surface with fungi without adding water, leave for several hours, and then rinse off. |
| It is necessary to take the substance (2.5%), treat the affected surface, and after 5-6 hours rinse with water. |
| You need to add about 12 ml of oil to a glass of water, then pour this solution into a spray bottle and spray the surface. To achieve a positive result, it is recommended to carry out the procedure 3-4 times. |
Video - Traditional methods of fighting fungi
Treating a room against mold: what can and should be used
As we have already found out, black mold in the bathroom (and any other) harms not only the surfaces on which it grows, but the air in the room. It saturates it with spores that are dangerous to humans, giving it a specific smell of dampness and rot. Therefore, even if the infection itself has not yet made itself felt, but the “smell” has already appeared, you cannot hesitate. It is urgent to begin processing the premises. You can carry out this procedure either independently or by seeking help from specialized services. What's better? You decide. We will only consider the main essence of both methods.
Soda, vinegar, alcohol and other folk remedies that help fight mold
Black mold
It is generally accepted that only professional disinfectors know how to deal with black mold. But is this really so? And why are seemingly harmless methods of independent struggle dangerous?
- Antiseptic primer is considered today the most effective of all known methods of self-control. It contains special additives that not only prevent the fungus from growing deeper, but also destroy it in case of contact.
- Ammonia works great against mold that grows on hard surfaces, such as tiles or glass. Mixed with ordinary boiled water (ratio 1:1), it is sprayed over the problem area and left for 1.5-2 hours. With its help, almost everyone can solve the question of how to remove black mold in the bathroom, with the exception of those people who are in a bind.
- Fabric bleach contains sodium hydrochloride, which can combat not only the fungus itself, but also its spores. It can be used on almost all surfaces, except those that may be damaged by the bleaching effect.
- Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most effective antifungal agents. It is non-toxic and is used in a similar way to ammonia.
- Baking soda, being a natural cleaner, will be a real salvation for those who do not know how to remove black mold in the bathroom. Dissolved in warm water (ratio 1 tsp: 1 glass), it is applied to the area susceptible to infection and should remain there for as long as possible.
- Table vinegar is an acid, which means that black mold in the bathroom has no chance against it. True, the result can be achieved by applying it to the contaminated surface at least once a week, which, given its specific pungent odor, will appeal to few.
And although all these remedies act in completely different ways, they do not provide an answer to how to remove mold in the bathroom forever. Moreover, most of them are toxic and, if used incorrectly, can significantly harm both the body and health. Moreover, not only yours, but also all those who visit this room.
Therefore, if you do not want to spend money not only on drugs, but also on medications, the only right decision is to turn to professionals.
TOP 10 best mold repellents
| Photo | Name | Rating | Price | |
| #1 | HG Mold Spray | ⭐ 99 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #2 | Dali (Dali) | ⭐ 98 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #3 | Bagi Anti-mold | ⭐ 98 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #4 | Alpa Phongifluid | ⭐ 97 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #5 | Cillit BANG spray Black Mold | ⭐ 96 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #6 | Stop-Mold Olimp | ⭐ 95 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #7 | Abedis 06 | ⭐ 94 / 1001 – voice | Find out more | |
| #8 | Neomid BIO Repair | ⭐ 93 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #9 | Belinka | ⭐ 92 / 100 | Find out more | |
| #10 | Eskaro Biotol Spray | ⭐ 91 / 100 | Find out more |
Which mold repellent would you choose or recommend?
Take the survey
Removing mold from floors: step-by-step instructions
It can be more difficult to deal with mold if the colonies spread on the surface of plaster or wallpaper, so this process should be considered in more detail.
Security measures
Step One: The first step is to remove the top layer of finish. This could be plaster or wallpaper.
Using a spatula or metal sponge, remove the layer of moldy plaster from the surface
Step two: Next, this wall must be thoroughly dried.
It is recommended to use an industrial hair dryer
Step three: after which it is necessary to thoroughly treat the surface where the mold and nearby areas were located using a spray bottle.
Apply antiseptic using a spray bottle
Step four: all that remains is to wait for the wall to dry, and then apply primer and putty.
Applying finishing touches to the walls
Video - Getting rid of fungus on the walls
Types of mold
Many have seen live or photographed mold on walls and noticed that it can be different in color and structure. Before we talk about how to get rid of mold on walls, let’s look at the types of mold:
Aspergillus niger is a black mold that can live on various building materials (concrete, plaster, whitewash). Penetrating into the structure of the material, it gradually destroys it.
This type of mold is resistant to cold and occurs even in abandoned rooms. This mold can lead to aspergillosis, which manifests itself in allergic reactions.
Penicillium is a blue-green mold that is less harmful than black mold, but can also cause allergies.
Fusarium – white and brown in color, harmful to plants.
Serpula lacrymans is a fluffy white coating. It grows on wood; this mold is dangerous both for wooden surfaces and for humans.
Poll: what is the best mold repellent?
Which mold repellent would you choose or recommend?
HG Mold Spray
0.00% ( 0 )
Dali (Dali)
0.00% ( 0 )
Bagi Anti-mold
0.00% ( 0 )
Alpa Phongifluid
0.00% ( 0 )
Cillit BANG spray Black Mold
0.00% ( 0 )
Stop-Mold Olimp
0.00% ( 0 )
Abedis 06
100.00% ( 1 )
Neomid BIO Repair
0.00% ( 0 )
Belinka
0.00% ( 0 )
Why is mold in an apartment dangerous?
The fungus destroys the surface of the apartment chosen by it - furniture, cladding, walls, window sills. It produces many microscopic spores , which neither filters nor masks can capture. Once on the skin and mucous membranes of a person, the spores germinate and begin to decompose the tissues of his body. In the respiratory tract they cause various diseases, which were mentioned above.
Often, only the symptoms of a disease can indicate the presence of mold in a house or apartment. It is difficult to notice on the soil in which indoor plants live, on mattresses, walls and wallpaper, on clothes and cabinet walls. Headaches and chronic fatigue can also be a consequence of mold living in an apartment or house.
What causes mold to appear on walls?
Reasons for the occurrence of fungus in the house:
- Dampness together with high air temperature, from +18 to +25 °C.
- Poor ventilation of the apartment, as a result, lack of air circulation.
- Improper use of plastic windows can cause condensation, dampening of window slopes, and an increase in the overall humidity in the room.
- Drywall absorbs well, retains moisture for a long time, and is a favorable environment for the proliferation of fungal colonies.
