Americans Googled “black mold” more than ever this year, as humid and hot conditions - which are ripe for its growth - plagued much of the country. Exposure to black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum , can be dangerous, leading to an immune system disorder, skin conditions and respiratory symptoms and infections . Understanding prevention is key to stopping any potential health risks.
, which might explain the spike in searches. In August, there were 697,215 searches using that term, according to new research conducted by product review brand Expert Reviews. They used data sourced from Google Trends and trend monitor Glimpse.
Notably, summer 2024 was the Northern Hemisphere’s warmest on record, and August was the planet’s hottest August in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 175-year record. The sweltering conditions were fueled by climate change, and record warmth has continued through November, though much of the nation has recently been in drought. From August to October there were nearly two million searches for black mold, and residents also searched for symptoms related to exposure.
Monthly searches for “mold symptoms” hit the highest level ever in October. Expert Reviews said that most of those searching were from West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, South Dakota and Maine. Michigan saw its fifth-wettest summer on record, with storms causing major power outages.
Maine also had a historically warm season . Thunderstorms caused flash.