Mold Answer
Black mold can cause health problems, especially for people with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems - coughing, congestion, eye and throat irritation, and worse for the sensitive. No mold indoors is desirable, and color alone does not identify the species. Any significant growth should be removed by containment and remediation, not disturbed.
The term "black mold" usually refers to Stachybotrys, but many molds look dark, and you cannot identify a species by color. What matters for your health is the amount of active growth and how much gets into the air, not the shade.
Disturbing black mold is the real risk - scrubbing or tearing at it releases a burst of spores into the air. That is why professionals contain the area and use HEPA filtration, and why a significant growth is not a good DIY project.
Water damage in the Kansas City metro? Call (913) 213-3686 for a live 24/7 responder, or learn more about Kansas City mold remediation.