How many of us dry our wet clothes indoors? Or vent our tumble dryers into the house? Or forget to open the bathroom window after bathing or showering? I certainly did all of these things until I started to research the subject of black mold and its dangers. But I shan't be doing them again now that I know these and many other similar ordinary household events create the perfect conditions for the growth of black mold.

When the mold spore count is higher inside the house than outside, beware, you're living in an unhealthy mold-encouraging atmosphere. How does this happen and what can you do about it?

Invisible microscopic mold spores are airborne and all around us. When they find ideal growing conditions they start to multiply. The conditions mold requires are organic food (paper, wood, carpet, and so on), moisture, and heat. Without the presence of these three conditions, it simply cannot grow.

Once it does it can produce poisonous mycotoxins. These mycotoxins exist in both living and dead mold spores. The most usual indoor molds include Stachybotrys chartarum, which is commonly known as "black mold".

The existence of mold is necessary to the life cycle because it helps with the business of decomposing dead organic matter. But mold is best left to do its work outside the home in Nature's own garden. In confined spaces in domestic and work situations, exposure to mold infestation and mycotoxins can be extremely dangerous, particularly to the very young, the very old, those with weak or suppressed immune systems, and those with respiratory problems such as asthma.

Fairly minor and common reactions to inhaling mold toxins include stuffy nose, eye irritation, tight chest, skin irritation, and a persistent cough. However, together with those who are allergic to mold, people in the most susceptible groups may develop symptoms which are much worse and in extreme cases fatal.

What can you do to minimize the risk of mold growing in your home?

Keep humidity and heat levels as low as possible. Humidity no higher than 50% is considered preferable.

Clean up any plumbing leaks in the home as soon as you find them.

Wipe away mold and clean the affected area wherever you see it as soon as possible. Check for mold on window sills, walls, behind furniture, in the basement or garage.

Keep carpets out of rooms liable to steam. Carpet has no business in kitchens, bathrooms or laundry rooms.

Improve your insulation to keep condensation to a minimum.

Check the damp course, the air conditioning and drains for signs of mold.

Change the air in the house by opening windows, particularly on dry sunny days.

Keep your hands fully protected and the room well ventilated when you are cleaning up mold patches.

Should you or any members of your family be suffering from a persistent cough, a tight chest, mood swings, skin irritations, a blocked nose, or any other fairly common health problem, before you reach for the medication, make sure the real cause isn't toxic black mold.

Learn more about this author, Lesley Allen.
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