Is Mould A Fungus
You may have heard about mould. You may find it in your house, a mould may cause damage to the building. But what is mould?
The term mould refers to a group of filamentous fungi that are common in wet materials and food. This group of fungi includes Penicillium that produces penicillin and fungi that are also, able to spoil fruits, bread, and crops. Most of the species grouped as mould are members of Ascomycota division that has a characteristic of producing a lot of spores.
Here are some explanations to help you differentiate fungus and bacteria.
Foods High In Pleomorphic Bacteria Yeast Fungus And Mold You May Not Know About
Most people dont fully understand that pleomorphic bacteria, yeast, fungus, and mold as well as their toxins, which are characteristically present in stored and fermented food, are using our food chain as a proverbial Trojan horse. The following list of foods are high in pleomorphic bacteria, yeast, fungus, and mold and produce mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing illness, disease, and death in humans and animals. Cooking the listed foods thoroughly will kill most of the fungus however, refrigerating them or using them cold, will literally put fungus into your body.
What Is The Difference Between Bacteria And Mold
Questions:
I found black spots on the outside part of the neck of a plastic bottle of wine. They evolved over time into mushy, mold looking marks. I was told they were bacteria and so harmless. My questions are:
If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Welcome Back!
Filed Under: MBL AnswersTagged With: Bacteria, Fungi
Whats New?
You May Like: What Size Nail For Vinyl Siding
What Is Fungi And Mold Insurance
Mold insurance is a coverage often found in homeowners insurance that provides protection against damaging fungi and mold. Typically, it pays to repair damage caused by fungi, mold, wet or dry rot, or bacteria. However, not every homeowners policy has mold protection, so homeowners need to read their policyâs fine print to determine if they have coverage and when it applies.
Even when fungi and mold insurance is included, itâs often limited in scope. This is partly because of caps on the amount of coverage provided. For example, most of our policies include mold insurance with coverage limits of up to:
- $10,000 for losses you incur, such as the cost of hiring a mold remediation company.
- $50,000 of coverage for losses incurred by a third party, like medical bills for a visitor who gets sick from inhaling mold spores in your home.
Anything above those coverage limits is on you. Luckily, these limits are usually enough to cover most mold remediation bills.
How Do I Know If I Have Fungi And Mold Insurance
The best way to know whether or not you have fungi and mold insurance is to read through your homeowners policy. Youâll want to understand what your coverage limits are when they kick in, and if thereâs a time limit for filing a claim. You can also ask your insurance representative about these things so that you fully understand your mold insurance coverage.
Our representatives are happy to explain your coverage when shopping for home insurance and point you towards the clause in your policy that provides the details.
Also Check: How Do I Remove Gel Nail Polish
Is Mold A Bacteria In Your Indoor Air
by | Mar 25, 2020 | Comparing Air Purifier Technologies, Mold Spore Removal in Air, Reducing Allergens in the Home, Remove VOCs & Chemical Odors, Uncategorized
Have you often heard these two organisms grouped together both mold and bacteria? Although we may hear mold and bacteria similarly grouped together, we know that these two terms contain different hazards and conditions within your indoor environment, and conversely to your health if exposure occurs. Mold is the threatening fungi that can grow unexpectantly and rapidly inside of your home leaving slight discoloration on the walls, a musty odor throughout the air space, and even certain adverse health effects that occupants can experience after longer durations of exposure. Whereas bacteria is the ominous threat that can become airborne in an environment and slyly make its ways into the human body and trigger a list of potentially weakening effects on a persons health whether that be flu-like symptoms and/or symptoms similar to allergies, or even worse more debilitating symptoms depending on the bacteria you are exposed to in your indoor space.
In this article we will discuss more on is mold a bacteria, understand the differences between mold and bacteria, and figure out the best solutions to use in your home to effectively remediate and eliminate both mold and bacteria from the indoor space of your home.
Potential Consequences Of Using Antimicrobial Pesticides
Antimicrobial pesticides can be beneficial for protecting human health and are required in some institutional settings such as daycare centers, restaurants, and other food handling establishments. If you are caring for an immune-compromised person or running a daycare center, proper disinfection or sanitation of surfaces is particularly important, and antimicrobial pesticides are an important tool. Nevertheless, there are adverse affects associated with their use, such as:
- The overuse of some antimicrobial agents may be a factor contributing to the development of resistant bacteria, so use only when needed.
- Because many of these products are available as aerosol sprays, exposure through inhalation is possible and can cause respiratory and eye irritation and exacerbate asthma.
- Many of these products are effective at sanitizing and disinfecting because they are oxidizing agents or are strongly acidic or basic. These characteristics result in hazards from spills on skin or in the eyes, or via inhalation.
Be sure to follow the label instructions carefully and read all warnings.
Don’t Miss: How To Have Healthy Nails
What Is The Difference Between Fungus And Mould
So, now you have a basic understanding of the difference between mould and bacteria. But what is the difference between fungus and mould?
As has been mentioned before, in the classification system, the fungus is a kingdom. Whereas mould is one type of fungus.
It is invisible to the naked eye as the measurement is only 2-10 microns in diameter. However, when multiple moulds grow close to one another, they will become visible as they will spread rapidly across a surface.
There are over 200,00 species of fungi, including yeast, mushrooms, mould, lichen, and truffles. A single type of fungus might be able to morph into different species or take o characteristic from different types depending on the weather and moisture levels.
Regulatory Update On Antimicrobial Pesticides
In December 2013, the Food and Drug Administration issued a proposal to require antibacterial hand soaps and body washes to prove that their products are safe for regular use. Despite there being no data that demonstrates that antibacterial products are any more effective than regular soap and water, these products are used widely. This new requirement to improve safety should help ensure that risks associated with the use of these products is low. For more information, see the FDA News Release.
You May Like: How To Apply Dashing Diva Nail Strips
Mold And Bacteria Are Microorganisms
Mold shares its classification with yeasts and mushrooms. While bacteria is unicellular, or structurally a one-celled organism, mold is multicellular. However, mold and bacteria do have one thing in common: they thrive in a humid environment.
Even though mold can be beneficial in laboratory settings, just like bacteria and viruses, mold is considered a severe threat to human health.
Laser Treatment For Nail Fungus
If you have caught nail fungus as well, it can be easily treated using the FDA-approved PinPointe laser, which typically only takes on treatment. Other treatments are topical solutions or oral medication. Topical solutions have a very low cure rate. This is because the solution does not penetrate all the way under the nail bed. All the fungus must die to be cured. Oral medication has a better cure rate, but it can lead to liver toxicity.
Our toenail doctor in Manhattan, NY recommends this treatment. The PinPointe Laser treatment has the highest cure rate in the market. It has no side effects and no recovery period. As a result, you can go about your daily activities right after the treatment. Also, it is not painful.
If you have any signs of nail fungus, call us at 672-0625 or visit our website for more information on our doctors at one of our over 160 locations.
Read Also: How To Fix Thick Toenail Fungus
Preventing And Managing Mold Bacteria And Viruses
Cleaning is a top-level strategy for removing mold and bacteria. This work can be quite a chore, but is necessary to keep yourself and your family healthy. A few additional steps can be taken to reduce the possibility of these microbes causing a problem around your home.
Utilize natural light and circulating air
- Open a window or turn on a fan to move moist air out and reduce the likelihood of mildew forming in the bathroom. Mold and mildew are often a problem in bathrooms because of the moisture.
- Use the sun: UV rays can kill bacteria, and leaving items exposed to strong sunlight for several hours can help to disinfect them.
Stop mold from growing by fixing leaks right away
- Fix leaky pipes or water spills right away to help make sure that mold never has a chance to start growing.
- Get helpif your mold problem is extensive, you may want to consider hiring someone to help. For more information about mold, see the US EPAs Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home.
Practice clean kitchen techniques
- Ensure that raw foods such as meat are kept separate from other foods in the refrigerator to avoid intestinal problems caused by foodborne illnesses.
- Clean counters and cutting boards thoroughly after they have come into contact with raw foods. If a cutting board is not dishwasher safe, clean it thoroughly with warm soapy water after use.
- Cook meats to the right temperature to make sure they are safe to eat: 145°F for whole meats, 160°F for ground meats, and 165°F for poultry.
Issues That Affect Bioavailability
Some molds found in damp indoor spaces can produce mycotoxins. lists a number of mycotoxins and the organisms that produce them. Bacteria can also produce toxins. Although there has not been a large amount of research conducted on the effects of those toxins in the context of their growth in damp buildings, mycotoxins and bacterial toxins have been studied for several decades because of their role in outbreaks of illness associated with the ingestion of moldy food . More recently, concerns that toxins from microorganisms that grow in damp indoor environments may play a role in illnesses reportedly associated with living or working in damp buildings have focused attention on the adverse health effects of inhaling mycotoxins.
Some Mycotoxins and the Microorganisms That Produce Them.
The degree to which a toxin can harm tissues varies with a number of factors, including the chemical nature of the toxin, the route of entry into the body, the amount to which the target organism and organ are exposed, and the susceptibility of the target species . Interspecies differences in susceptibility can result from differences in absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and the effectiveness of a toxin at its receptor .
Percentage of inhaled spores that are deposited in respirable area of lung. SOURCE: Miller et al., 2001.
You May Like: Are All Nail Dipping Powders The Same
Prevention And Patient Resources
After major flooding or other exposure to water damage and mold, talk with your immunocompromised patients about how to protect themselves from mold:
- Mold grows where there is moisture, usually within 24-48 hours of flooding. Even if it is not visible, it is often present.
- Immunocompromised people should not enter moldy buildings or help clean up mold.
- If it is impossible for people with weakened immune systems to avoid a moldy building, they should talk with their doctor and consider wearing an N-95 respirator inside the building. Remind patients that this will still not fully protect them from becoming exposed to mold, but may reduce their risk.
For more information on mold cleanup, refer patients to the following CDC resources, or provide them with a printed copy:
Association Of Stachybotrys Species With Sick Buildings
One of the best studies of building-related illness showed minimal relation to Stachybotrys. Miller et al. examined 50 Canadian homes in which the occupants had complaints of respiratory or allergic symptoms for which there was no explanation, although at the time of the study, occupants of only 6 houses had building-related illnesses. Looking at air exchange rate, moisture levels, and analyzing air and dust for fungus and fungal products in 37 of the homes, they found S. chartarum in only one house analysis of the 6 sick houses did not indicate fungus-related disease. During parts of the year when windows are open, indoor fungi are comparable to outdoor species . However, in this study, outdoor air spores were negligible and Penicillium and other soil fungi were most important. Toxigenic fungi included P. viridicatum, Trichoderma viride, P. decumbens, and A. versicolor. House dust usually contained appreciable amounts of filamentous fungi and yeast, and so it was expected that spores could be found in air, depending on the activity in the room.
Recommended Reading: How Do I Stop My Nails From Peeling
Which Cleaner Kills Viruses Bacteria Mold And Fungi
Which Cleaner Kills Viruses, Bacteria, Mold, and Fungi?
With over 20 years experience, and having both OSHA and NAMRI certifications the number one question from our customers right now is “What do you use to kill the coronavirus?”
Although there are many over the counter products that are available as licensed professionals, we have the expertise and access to many products not readily available to public consumers. Also, it is not just the products used but the training to use them. Even the best anti-viral product in the world can be ineffective if not used correctly.
The EPA is very specific in its guidelines for claims made by products as well as professionals who commercially use these products. At Dove Mold Remediation we are proud to have the training needed to completely remove Viruses, Bacteria, Mold, and Fungi from indoor environments. The efficacy of our products and training have been tested and proven effective against each of the following organisms utilizing a proprietary, EPA approved test method in GLP conditions.
Mycotoxins Can Enter The Food Chain In The Field During Storage Or At Later Points Mycotoxin Concerns Are Exacerbated Whenever Shipping Handling And Storage Practices Are Conducive To Mold Growth The End Result Is That Mycotoxins Are Commonly Found In Foods Kuiper
Read: 11 Foods Highest in Mycotoxins
Speaking of fungi, there are around 1.5 million species of fungi tiny microbes found in soil, air, food, and water. They can be fatal and on average kill an estimated 1.5 million people globally each year. According to Professor Neil Gow, President of the Microbiology Society, thats an alarmingly high figure and is more than the number of people who die from malaria, more than twice the number of women who die from breast cancer, and an equivalent number to those who die from tuberculosis, or HIV, each year. Should we be concerned? Yes.
Recommended Reading: Where Can You Buy Static Nails
How To Get Fungi And Mold Insurance
If your homeowners insurance doesnât cover fungi and mold remediation, then you may want to talk to your agent about possible endorsements. Getting an endorsement may cost a little extra, but it adds coverage for mold.
Another option is to find a carrier like Kin. All of our policies come with fungi and mold insurance coverage to make sure you get the protections that matter. If youâre ready to see how much we can save you with a policy that has all the bells and whistles, give us a call today.
How To Stop Mold Growth And Reproduction
The use of dehumidifiers is an effective way to keep relative humidity levels in an acceptable range. Most indoor environments have a relative humidity of 40-50% when the temperature is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. To prevent mold growth and reproduction, you will need to do some detective work and resolve the source of any moisture intrusion.
If you cannot find any mold but are suspicious, consider calling in a professional. We accurately assess the problem and take appropriate action. Let us make your life easier by removing the mold from your home. !
Tags
Don’t Miss: Where Can I Buy Color Street Nails
