The act of cleaning mold can increase the airborne spore level by ten-thousand times, which can result in severe illness and actually spread mold growth if done improperly. Such high levels of airborne mold spores warrant protective clothing, including gloves, goggles, and a respirator. If you suspect you have toxic mold in your home, then you should consider hiring a professional mold remediation expert to clean up the mold and safely dispose of it.

First of all, "toxic mold" is a bit of a misnomer. Mold itself is not toxic; however, some toxigenic molds ("toxic molds") produce poisons called mycotoxins, which can cause fatigue, nausea, headaches, eye irritation, and respiratory problems. Stachybotrys mold, also known as black mold, has been known to cause fatal lung bleeding in infants when combined with environmental cigarette smoke.

The actual fungi and the mycotoxins the mold spores release can be toxic. Please see EPA & CDC links for more details.

You have probably heard a great deal about black mold or toxic mold. It is usually associated with Stachybotrys chartarum , a greenish-black mold that is often found after there has been persistent water damage.

Clean up mold and take care of the problem by following the advice above to keep your home dry and keep mold out. Decide if you have a large or small area of mold. A small area is less then about ten square feet, or a patch three feet by three feet square. To clean a small area, follow the advice below. You may use a cotton face mask for protection. If you have a lot of mold damage (more then ten square feet) consider hiring a cleaning professional.

Answer: The technical name is Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys alra) Sometimes referred to as stachy for short. It is a greenish-black mold. It can grow anywhere moisture occurs. Answer: These decisions have to be made individually. If you believe you are ill because of exposure to mold, you should contact your physician to determine the appropriate action to take

First you should talk to experts, including a mold public adjuster. They can help you determine if the inspection cost will be covered by your insurance policy. They can also help you identify an expert who will be willing to testify against your insurance company, and who has the proper credentials to convince the mold insurance company that they are responsible for the type of damage you have in your property.

The mold cleanup is finished when there is no visible mold remaining and there is no dust or dirt remaining that could contain large amounts of mold and mold spores. Routine clearance testing for mold is not necessary. Leaving a few mold spores behind is not a problem if the underlying moisture problem has been corrected. Remember that mold spores are virtually everywhere. Even if all mold and mold spores are removed as part of the cleanup, spores from outside will re-enter that space.

The time you are most likely to stir up spores and be exposed is the very time you are trying to clean up your mold problem. That's when you need to be the most careful. First, try to determine the extent of the mold infestation. You can do it yourself if the area is small and well defined, as long as you are free of any health symptoms or allergies.

The term "toxic mold" is misleading. Molds may produce substances called mycotoxins that modify their environment. Some of these substances are useful as antibiotics; but others are potentially harmful, especially if eaten. However, there is little evidence that breathing mycotoxins in mold-contaminated buildings represents a health hazard.