Common Questions
Is black mold dangerous?
Answer
"Black mold" usually means Stachybotrys chartarum, but many molds are dark, and color alone doesn't identify a species. EPA says all molds can affect health, and some, including Stachybotrys, can produce potent toxins (mycotoxins) under certain circumstances. Having mold doesn't mean mycotoxins are present, or present in large amounts.
Much about inhaled mycotoxins is still unknown. EPA notes that an early report linking Stachybotrys to bleeding in infants' lungs was reviewed by CDC, which concluded the association was not established. What the agencies agree on is practical: avoid exposure, and remove any indoor mold growth — whatever its color — and fix the moisture behind it.
If you or someone in the home has symptoms, talk to a doctor.
What the sources say
“All molds have the potential to cause health effects.”
“Some molds, such as Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys atra (chartarum), are known to produce potent toxins under certain circumstances.”
“The presence of mold in a building does not necessarily mean that mycotoxins are present or that they are present in large quantities.”
“Review of the evidence of this association at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) resulted in a published clarification stating that such an association was not established.”
“More studies are needed to get a clear picture of the health effects related to most mycotoxins. However, it is clearly prudent to avoid exposure to molds and mycotoxins.”