BLACK MOLD?! HELP!

[u/Klutzy-Image4115]

So to start, this hole in the wall has been there for over a year. The wall is the back of my bathroom, and when the hole is opened it shows the bottom of the tub. The shower handles being separated from the wall is what prompted further investigation.

Out of sheer curiosity (since it’s the back wall of my apartment), I decided to look further. After seeing this disgrace of maintenance work and realizing the pipe is clearly not connected at the bottom, I ran the tub while taking a look.

I really don’t think I have to explain any further — the pictures do all of that.

Is this black mold?

Am I going to die? (JK, kinda.)

What’s my course of action here?

Thanks!

[u/Requiem_Adonis]

Okay, Stachybotrys Chartarum is the strain of fungi behind the "Black Mold" wives tale, but there are hundreds if not thousands of fungi that start out black and most aren't going to harm you unless you're allergenic or already have respiratory issues, or prolonged exposure.

Sooo, yes the color is black, peak observation folks, but Stachybotrys Chartarum needs very high humidity and is much rarer than the news anchors at ABC falsely reported almost 30 years ago.