Is it dangerous to be breathing in my house while the wall is green from water getting in?

Question

Its like grosse, it kinda smells too, is it bad to inhale mold, etc

Answer 1

You can't really escape mold. It's everywhere. Generally, "black" mold is the worst.

Having said that, anything you can do to at least minimize the mold in your house, the better off you are. If the mold is in an area below ground, get a dehumidifier. Clean the mold area with a bleach compound.

Use a "high quality" air purifier that specifically works against mold. The really good ones are NOT cheap. Ours cost almost $300, but it is EXTREMELY effective. You need to go to an online store or a local one that specializes in allergies. We used the Allergy Relief Store and were very happy, but there are others out there.

Answer 2

OMG, yes, it's very bad.

There are many different kinds of molds, but there are some that can actually be deadly if you spend too much time around them. I saw a news show (Dateline or something like it) about a home where the entire family was sick with various ailments (most of them respiratory). The doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong and finally someone suggested an environmental tester come to the house and he found some kind of lethal mold.

Get it taken care of quick! There is a difference between mold and mildew, btw - mildew just smells awful and can aggravate allergies and asthma.

From the website below (it has more info, so check it out)

Health Effects of Mold (particularly on respiratory system)

Most types of fungi mold that are commonly found in indoor environments can result in the aggravation of respiratory conditions, such as asthma, allergies, sinus infections, etc. It thrives in dark and damp conditions, regardless of how warm or cold the temperature. Mold is a common trigger of asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems, but it is not normally lethal (at least in the short term), with the exception of "Stachybotrys" mold.

Children in homes with high mold show persistent, cold-like symptoms - 300% more than average. Also, according to the Mayo Clinic, most cases of sinusitis is a result of indoor molds.

How Mold causes Respiratory Problems (such as asthma and allergies)

Most household molds are made of microscopic yeasts and mold species. They cause health problems (respiratory problems in particular) by releasing microscopic spores into the air, which carry mycotoxins, which cause the spore to be allergenic (allergy-causing) and toxic. These airborne spores stay alive by consuming nutrients from organic material, which is readily found in the home. These include wood, paper, dust, food, etc.

Mold spores are small enough to remain airborne, and enter the respiratory through inhalation. The mycotoxin carried by the spore then causes toxic and allergic reactions when inside the air ways and respiratory system. This results in illness and breathing problems for those who suffer from any type of respiratory-related condition, such as asthma, allergies, nasal infections, COPD, emphysema, etc.

Stachybotrys Mold (the "deadly" mold)

Stachybotrys causes bleeding in the lungs. This can be fatal for infants and pregnant women. The Stachybotrys mold spores are inhaled into the lungs, where they weaken the blood vessels, which causes the lungs to bleed. Coughing up blood and frequent nosebleeds are symptoms of stachybotrys poisening. Stachybotrys is found in wet areas, such as places affected by leaky pipes, or within or on walls exposed to excessive moisture. Stachybotrys mold is wet, black, and slimy, and it smears when touched.

Signs of a Mold Problem

You suspect a mold problem, and members of your household, or occupants of your building are suddenly becoming ill with respiratory-related sicknesses or conditions with unusually high frequency. Also look for increased asthma and allergy attacks.
Chronic leaks or wet areas often result in a mold problem.
Mildewy smell.
Visible signs of mold.

Answer 3

Inhaling mold can cause Asthma and make asthmatics symptoms even worse when around it.It can cause major breathing problems for anyone though. Get a mask and clean it off your walls.

Answer 4

Kidding, right?? If not..YES..if you have allergies and even if you don't..what you're breathing in are mold spores...You ARE kidding, right? If not..get the heck outta' there. Now.

Answer 5

If it's green, it's probably algae, which is safe. Maybe you don't see something else that's there though. I'm sure somebody will give you a free estimate.

Answer 6

type mold on your browser and then freak out.

Answer 7

if it smells you need to really have someone come in and asses the problem and fix it

Answer 8

calll the EPA and move the hell out.