Mold, the most common form of fungus on earth, is awfully successful in seeking out moist places to grow and, if left unchecked, can create serious health hazards in your home.

Many aging buildings throughout Bushwick are black mold havens and residents should be informed of its causes, health effects, and how to prevent future raids from these evil spores.

Commonly caused by leaking pipes and condensation, mold spreads quickly in dark places like kitchen sinks, bathrooms, basements, window frames, inside wall cavities and below flooring materials (especially carpet on concrete floors). Since mold usually thrives in places we cannot see, one of the easiest ways to detect an invasion is by sense of smell. A lingering musty odor is the signature sign of a mold problem.

Depending on the person, exposure to various molds can cause nasal stuffiness, eye and/or skin irritation, wheezing, aggravated allergies and asthma. Extremely sensitive individuals may suffer mold induced fevers, shortness of breath and chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease (aka mold infections in the lungs).

Also, the Toxic Black Mold Information Center warns that mold and other fungi produce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as they process natural materials to obtain nutrition. Exposure to high levels of VOCs may irritate mucous membranes and the central nervous system leading to headaches, decreased attention span, difficulty concentrating and dizziness.

That said, the best way to control mold is to control moisture.

Simple prevention methods include using air conditioners and dehumidifiers in summer months, cleaning up damp or wet areas within 24-48 hours and increasing ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens. If mold is visible, first use water and soap to remove the spores and then disinfect the area with rubbing alcohol or antibacterial cleaning products.

Tenants in apartment buildings will need help from their landlords to tackle serious mold growths in walls and below flooring boards. In New York, the building owner is responsible for providing a mold-free inhabitance and failure to do so can result in a housing code violation.

If your landlord ignores requests to eliminate black mold from a residential property, call 311 (outside of NYC: 212-639-9675) or visit nyc.gov/health. A mold analysis by city inspectors can result in a fat fine for that negligent landlord. No matter how cheap the rent may be, no one should share their apartment with toxic black mold.