Mold and Mildew
Are They Same?
By Markus Skupeika
People living in humid region are well-acquainted with Molds and Mildews. They appear as green, black, or grey spots on the walls or any other surface. Molds and mildews have a velvety look. They damage the substrate on which they grow. Often a musty odor is observed around mold contaminated surface.
Is there any difference between mold and mildew? To be precise, there is a fine line between the two terms. Certain types of molds are referred as mildew. When molds grow on any organic substance, they form a network; network of filament-like structure, known as hyphae. The hyphae of the molds grow in such a way that looks like a net. This type of growth is often called mildew provided it has a flat growth habit.
Molds and mildews are present everywhere. They belong to the fungi group. They are microscopic bodies with primitive cell structure. The main feature of molds is the multi-cellular filament, also known as hypha. Molds never live alone – they form colony where the hyphae and the branches of hyphae of multiple mold bodies form a mesh-like structure. Mold colony is also known as mycelium.
As mentioned earlier in the article, flat mold growth is often referred as mildew. Powdery mildew is a type of mildew that attacks plants. Downy mildew is another type associated with plants. Mildew and mold remover can help people kill molds and mildews.
There are hundreds of mold species in the environment. Molds reproduce through spore formation. These spores are released in air. Spores then travel from one place to another in search of right conditions. As soon as they get a place where all the conditions for life, moisture, organic materials and air, are present, they start colonizing.
They grow on organic substances. They depend on the organic matter for food. Since the cells do not contain chlorophyll, photosynthesis is not the way of collecting nutrition for molds. They secrete certain enzymes from the tip of the hyphae. These hydrolytic enzymes degrade organic substances like cellulose, starch or lignin into simpler organic materials which can be absorbed by the hyphae. This way molds collect their nutrition.
While collecting energy, they decompose biopolymers into simpler forms and maintain balance in the environment. They are helpful members of the environment. Apart from, helping in biodegradation, some mold species are used in food production and drug creation as well.
But both molds and mildews can be health hazardous when they grow inside dwelling places. Home, garden, office, school, commercial houses, parks, laundry, shops – molds can grow anywhere.
Once molds and mildews grow the surrounding area becomes unhealthy. Airborne mold spores and hyphal fragments contaminate the air. Inhaling such impure air could lead to various health problems. Kill mold spray is the only option to clean mold from your home and remove the moldy odor.
Molds and mildews do not attack human beings directly; the spores and hyphal segments are allergens. People, who have weak immune system or undergoing immune-suppressing medication, suffer most from molds and mildews. Itchy and watery eyes, headache, chest congestion, difficult breathing, respiratory problem, sickness, fever are the common symptoms of mold infection.
Toxic black mold is a species of mold which secrete mycotoxins. Mycotoxins are harmful for human health. Ingesting mycotoxins with food or touching the substance can lead to food poison, fever, sickness and skin rashes.
About the Author: Most people do not realize the true severity of black mold and how it can cause major health issues. You must use the best mold remover to stop them from spreading all over the house.
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