Mold is a type of fungi that can grow both indoors and outdoors. There are over 100,000 types of mold, and they come in a wide variety of colors, including black, white, green, red, and orange. While most mold is not harmful, some types can produce toxins (mycotoxins) that can cause serious health problems in humans and animals.

Mold spores are everywhere - in the air, on surfaces, and in soil. When these spores land on a damp surface, they start to grow. Mold needs four things to grow: moisture, food, warmth, and oxygen. Moisture can come from many sources, including leaks, flooding, condensation, and high humidity.

Mold exposure can cause a variety of health problems, ranging from minor irritation to serious respiratory illness. Symptoms of mold exposure include coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions may be more susceptible to the effects of mold exposure.

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi. They are similar in appearance and can both cause health problems. However, there are some key differences between mold and mildew. Mold is typically black or green, while mildew is white or yellow. Mold grows in damp, dark places, while mildew prefers warm, humid environments. Mold can also cause structural damage to homes and other buildings, while mildew generally does not.

Toxic black mold can be very dangerous. It has been known to cause a variety of health issues, and can even be life-threatening. Black mold can also be difficult to remove, so it's best to leave proper identification and removal to the professionals.

There are many different types of mold, and they can be found both indoors and outdoors. Some of the most common types of mold include Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Stachybotrys. Each type of mold has a unique appearance and can cause different health problems. It's important to be able to identify the different types of mold in order to properly address any potential health concerns

Some molds do not have a smell, while others can be quite pungent.

From the EPA: Some compounds produced by molds have strong smells and are volatile and quickly released into the air. These compounds are known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). Because mVOCs often have strong or unpleasant odors, they can be the source of the "moldy odor" or musty smell frequently associated with mold growth. A moldy odor suggests that mold is growing in the building and should be investigated.

Exposure to mVOCs has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. More research is needed to determine whether there are any human health effects from non-occupational indoor exposures to mVOCs.

Yes, mold can grow in the air ducts in your home. Ask your duct cleaning service provider to show you any mold or other biological contamination they find. Or, call a mold inspector to do a proper assessment of potential mold in your air ducts before your air system spreads mold spores throughout your home. A mold specialist will provide confirmation and identification of mold growth, and any mold removal recommendations.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if there is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

• Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection, so ask the service provider to show you any mold they say exists.

• You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation. For about $50, some microbiology laboratories can tell you whether a sample sent to them on a clear strip of sticky household tape is mold or simply a substance that resembles it.

• If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy, it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.

• If the conditions causing mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur

Mold inspections identify the presence of mold, define the size of the problem - usually in square footage - and help determine the best mold removal method.

Mold testing identifies what specific type of mold is in your home and how many mold spores are in the air. However, keep in mind the following:

1. The carefully controlled conditions required to conduct a proper scientific test of mold are extremely difficult to achieve in a home. A professional mold specialist will provide proper assessments and mold identification.

2. All indoor spaces have mold spores that drift in from outdoors, so mold tests will generally provide a long list of species.

3. The EPA has set no guidelines for an acceptable amount of mold or mold spores in a house and recommends hiring a professional to look for growing colonies. Note that some mold inspections include mold testing or sampling, particularly in states where it is required by law.