Home & Garden

Air Purifiers: Dangerous Molds

There are thousands of different strains of mold on the planet but only a relative handful of dangerous molds. Of these, some types pose a more serious threat to human beings and animals than others, so its important to get an accurate diagnosis before opting for mold remediation. It may turn out that the strains youve encountered are benign compared with the more sinister Stachybotrys atra.

Stachybotrys, otherwise known as black mold, is one of the most dangerous molds that infects buildings. Its nastiness is made worse by its relative abundance throughout homes, offices, schools, stores, and just about any other type of building that retains moisture. For those dwelling in more arid parts of the country, the risk of finding Stachybotrys is small, as molds typically require humidity to propagate themselves.

Other Types of Dangerous Molds
In addition to Stachybotrys, strains of mold such as Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria are quite common. These filamentous fungi are responsible for a battery of pulmonary and respiratory problems, especially in those with crippled or compromised immune systems. For most people, however, a healthy set of antibodies is more than enough to ward off these intruders,

Of the hundreds and hundreds of molds out there, only a select few are prevalent in residences and offices, and of these an even smaller portion are considered dangerous molds. Still, if one discovers that he or she is facing a Fusarium, Helminthosporium, Mucor, or Penicillium infestation, its worth hiring a mold abatement expert to rid you of the problem.