New York Personal Injury Lawyers

What is toxic mold?

While mold is very common and can be just about everywhere, there are two types of indoor molds- Stachybotrys chartarum and Memnoniella echinata, which are toxic and hazardous to human health. Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as black mold, is connected with toxic mold syndrome. It is greenish-black in color and contains poisons in its spores that can affect peoples’ health. It grows in damp places and on materials with high cellulose and low nitrogen levels, such as wood, carpet, wallpaper, or cardboard. Memnoniella echinata is very similar to Stachybotrys chartarum. The only obvious difference between the two is that Memnoniella echinata produces spores in chains while Stachybotrys chartarum produces its spores in a mass.

How hazardous are toxic molds and what are the risks of being exposed to them?

Toxic molds have been causing serious health conditions in humans for hundreds of years. In the last ten years, there have been many reports of toxic molds causing serious and even fatal consequences for infants and sensitized individuals. The majority of molds growing in homes do not pose any serious health risks. However, toxic molds can cause health problems- Common symptoms include memory loss, allergies, and breathing difficulties. People with existing respiratory illness, asthma, and infants should be especially careful because of the fever and infections that can be suffered within their lungs due to exposure. Other common symptoms include headaches, eye or nose irritation, and a dry cough. Longer exposure to this toxicity, usually among workers who are exposed to the mold in their work place, can cause more serious health risks such as respiratory problems, lung disease, and brain damage.

How does it grow?

These dangerous types of mold can exist in damp environments in our home or workplace without us ever knowing it. They can either naturally occur or it can enter the house through windows, heating, and cooling systems. The spores will settle on moist areas and use building materials such as wallpaper, fiberboard, and dry wall to gain nutrients in order to grow and reproduce. They require cellulose materials and constant moisture in order to continue to develop.

What should I do if it is growing in my house?

First, it is important to contact your homeowner’s insurance company or your landlord’s insurance company. The insurance company will send an inspector to determine the severity of the mold, what type of mold it is, and where it’s coming from. If the area where it is growing is small, you can try and kill it with bleach and water. If there is a large amount growing, you may need to hire a professional company that specializes in removing it. Getting rid of a large area of mold may require ripping out walls and floors. You will also need to repair the source of water damage that made the mold growth possible to begin with.

Should I leave my home or office because of toxic mold?

If people in the home or office are sick, you should leave until it is completely removed. Also the process of removing it may make the home temporarily inhabitable. You can develop life threatening diseases by continuing to work in a building where you may be sensitive to chemical substances, toxic mold, fungi, and other airborne pathogens. Depending upon your individual reaction to the workplace conditions, it may be necessary to leave and find a new job, go on Workman’s Compensation or Disability if it has made you ill, or try to get others in the workplace to have the building checked and made to comply with EPA standards of clean air.

Can a lawyer help me?

Yes, you will need to find a personal injury lawyer. Most of the cases regarding toxic mold are based on insurance companies that do not want to pay for the expenses related to having it removed. A lawyer can help you get the money that the insurance company owes to you. If people have become sick due to toxic mold, a lawyer may be able to build a case against the building owner or manager who failed to maintain the building. If you have had any of these experiences, be sure to contact a lawyer. They may be able to help you!