Quick answer
Black mold isn't a species or a specific kind of mold, and neither is toxic mold (EPA). The CDC says all molds should be treated the same for health risk and removal, and you don't need to know which type you have (CDC). Fix the moisture, then clean or remove the growth.
What is black mold?
The EPA says the terms black mold and toxic mold are sometimes used for molds that may produce mycotoxins, or for one particular mold, Stachybotrys chartarum (EPA). Molds come in many colors, including white (EPA).
The CDC describes Stachybotrys chartarum as a greenish-black mold. It grows on materials high in cellulose, like fiberboard, drywall and paper, and it needs constant moisture from water damage, leaks, condensation or flooding (CDC).
Is black mold toxic?
Some molds, but not all of them, can produce potentially toxic byproducts called mycotoxins under some conditions (EPA). Here's what the EPA says about them:
- More than 200 mycotoxins from common molds have been identified.
- How much a mold produces, and which kinds, depends on many environmental and genetic factors.
- No one can tell whether a mold is producing mycotoxins just by looking at it.
- Some mycotoxins are known to affect people, but for many of them there's little health information, and research is ongoing.
The EPA's advice is that it's prudent to avoid breathing mold when you don't have to (EPA).
Water still coming in or standing? A local restoration company can start water removal now.
Call (866) 217-4054What symptoms can mold cause?
The CDC says Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds may cause symptoms that are nonspecific (CDC). Damp, moldy places may cause a range of health effects, or none at all. For some people, mold causes a stuffy nose, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes or a skin rash, and people with asthma or a mold allergy may have severe reactions (CDC).
The EPA lists hay fever-type allergic reactions, such as headache, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. It also says mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs whether or not someone is allergic (EPA).
The same symptoms can come from other exposures or conditions, so the EPA cautions against assuming mold is the cause (EPA). If you have health concerns, talk to a doctor.
Is black mold poisoning proven?
Not as a specific illness. The CDC says no test exists that proves a link between Stachybotrys chartarum and particular health symptoms (CDC). It also says a possible link between this mold and a rare lung bleeding condition in infants, acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage, has not been proven (CDC).
That doesn't mean the mold can stay. The CDC says people with persistent symptoms should see their physician, and that Stachybotrys or any other mold found in a building should be removed (CDC).
Do you need to test black mold?
Usually not. The CDC doesn't recommend mold testing. It says health effects differ from person to person, good sampling can be expensive, and there are no set standards for an acceptable amount of mold in a home (CDC). It also says it isn't necessary to find out what type of mold is growing (CDC).
How do you get rid of black mold?
- Fix the water first. Mold comes back if the moisture problem isn't fixed (EPA).
- Size it up. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet, roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch, you can usually handle it yourself. If it's larger, there was a lot of water damage, or the water was contaminated with sewage, the EPA recommends an experienced professional (EPA).
- Remove it, don't just kill it. Dead mold can still cause allergic reactions, so the EPA says it isn't enough to kill mold. It has to be removed (EPA).
For what lab studies found about common cleaners, see bleach vs. vinegar for mold. For professional pricing, see the mold remediation cost guide.
Common questions
Is black mold more dangerous than other mold?
The CDC says all molds should be treated the same with respect to health risks and removal. The EPA says no one can tell whether a mold is producing mycotoxins just by looking at it.
What does black mold look like?
The CDC describes Stachybotrys chartarum as greenish-black. The EPA says black mold isn't a specific kind of mold, and that molds come in many colors.
Can black mold make you sick?
Mold can cause stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes or a skin rash in some people, and severe reactions in people with asthma or mold allergies. The CDC says no test proves a link between Stachybotrys and particular symptoms. See a doctor if symptoms persist.
Should I get black mold tested?
The CDC doesn't recommend mold testing, and it says you don't need to know the type. Fix the moisture and remove the mold.
Can I remove black mold myself?
If the patch is under about 10 square feet and the water wasn't sewage, the EPA says you can usually clean it yourself. For larger areas or major water damage, it recommends an experienced professional.
Related guides
Local water damage help
Each state page lists the towns we cover, with local shut-off and sewer numbers and flood notes.