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Mold Removal and Mildew Removal

Mold Inspection, Mold Identification and Mold Testing

Mold Prevention

Humidity in the Home

Asbestos

Home Air Quality

Glossary Of Terms

Accredited Laboratory — A lab that has been accredited by a recognized agency to the ISO 17025 Standard.

Aflatoxin — A Mycotoxin which is known to be one of the most toxic naturally occurring substances which is from Aspergillus flavus mold growth.

Allergen — A substance such as mold or pet hair which can cause an allergic reaction.

Ambient air — Outdoor air or representative of a general volume of indoor air.

Amplification of molds — Any indoor scenario which may increase the concentration of molds such as moisture in a wall cavity or mold growth in an HVAC system.

Anti-fungal treatment — Any mold remediation activity which removes, disinfects, or treats surfaces contaminated by mold.

Asbestos — A naturally occurring mineral fiber used in hundreds of building and insulation materials. Exposure to asbestos is a known health risk for cancer especially due to occupational contact. Asbestos is a regulated material and professional removal using engineering controls is recommended in most cases.

Asthma — A condition of respiratory sensitivity when lung tissue swells in reaction to exposure to particles which irritate the small passages of the lung tissue.

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Common Types of House Mold in Your Damascus, Alexandria, or Ellicott City Home

Mold is a common occurrence in homes, but must be examined in order to know if it is harmful to those inside. Molds fall into three groups: allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic. Allergenic molds do not usually produce life-threatening reactions, but can affect those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Pathogenic molds can produce some type of infection in people who are healthy and in those with a weakened immune system, while toxigenic molds can cause serious health effects from irritation to cancer. Exposure to toxigenics, or mycotoxins, can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion.

Common House Molds

Common types of house mold include Penicillium, an allergenic mold that can be found in dust or in food. Memnoniella can be found on cotton, paper, or wood products and may develop toxins, while the green or black powdery Cladosporium can grow on food, dead plants, and paint and can cause reactions ranging from skin rashes to nail fungus. Toxic black mold, or Stachybotrys, can produce toxins that may lead to cancer, headaches, and asthma, and is usually found in the back of walls and under ceilings. Finally, Mucor can be found in soil, animal droppings, and dust, and can cause lung infections in those with weakened immune systems.

Call A Professional

Mold can not be identified by sight, since many look very familiar, so the only way to know for sure is to call a professional. To identify any suspected mold growth in your home, contact RTS Environmental Services. Serving Washington DC, Maryland, and Washington DC, RTS Environmental Services has completed thousands of mold and asbestos inspections and solutions throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area, including Annandale, Arlington, and Reston.