Maybe, it’s the plaster holding in the wall box…
Double Plug Experiment
Submitted 21 hours ago by fossilesque@mander.xyz to science_memes@mander.xyz
https://mander.xyz/pictrs/image/3b4ca793-da34-4f58-b8ab-313d9a518b91.jpeg
Comments
d.rizo@piefed.social 20 hours ago
skisnow@lemmy.ca 19 hours ago
Yeah, I think this is a lot more plausible than the wall heating theory that someone further up got way more upvotes for.
cynar@lemmy.world 16 hours ago
Most likely.
The box tends to sit slightly proud of the wall. When they plaster it in (particularly retroactively) they need to build up the plaster around the socket.
Thicker plaster means more insulation, and less condensation. Less condensation, less mold.
The ring around the socket also supports this. The edge where the new plaster gives way to the old. That point tends to be rougher, and so more prone to capturing mold.
It could also be thicker paint causing the same effect. Most people do the wall with rollers, but sockets with a brush, leading to a thicker coat.
Brummbaer@pawb.social 15 hours ago
Also in some countries plaster comes with antifungal substances mixed in by default.
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 17 hours ago
This was my first thought. That’s a repaired wall.
Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 6 hours ago
It’s not perfectly symmetrical around the socket, kinda makes me think of someone spreading wall patching/repair material and/or paint, so maybe the mold didn’t like a different material that was made to look the same around the socket?
MintyFresh@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
I bet you’re a blast at parties
0x0@lemmy.dbzer0.com 19 hours ago
Maybe it’s a fairy ring en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_ring
MeatPilot@sh.itjust.works 16 hours ago
Touch it and you will be transported to the fey realm.
petersr@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
TIL that it is not just something in RuneScape
Landless2029@lemmy.world 18 hours ago
Zelda intensifies
PartyAt15thAndSummit@lemmy.zip 15 hours ago
Makes sense to me.
(I’m not a biologist, though.)
catdog@lemmy.ml 21 hours ago
*antifungals
Khrux@ttrpg.network 13 hours ago
Mushroom circles grow in circles because they drain the nutrients from the ground, and eventually you have a nutrient barren center that grows with the ring of mushrooms around it.
I wonder if this is something similar, although I’ve not heard of mold using up a resource before.
fakeman_pretendname@feddit.uk 15 hours ago
Mpuld deflection is one of the lesser known type-G plug and socket safety features.
Palacegalleryratio@hexbear.net 20 hours ago
It’s probably that the plug is retrofitted into the wall after construction and it uses a different type of plaster which carries a diffent moisture level.
colourlessidea@sopuli.xyz 13 hours ago
Another feather in the cap for the UK plug socket
MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 16 hours ago
Also, black mold spores cause lung conditions.
glitch1985@lemmy.world 13 hours ago
Thousands of species of mold appear black (actually dark green). The one that is usually singled out in this made up category is Stachybotrys chartarum. The whole “black mold” thing is the result of several irresponsible people who are drumming up fears about mold and then profiting off of those fears. Don’t believe the hype.
The color of a mold has no correlation to how dangerous it may be. This is frequently stated by agencies throughout the world including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There is no evidence that otherwise healthy individuals have any reason to fear getting sick from general mold growth in buildings, mold inhalation, or any other type of exposure even to the so-called toxic molds. Yes, being around mold may cause minor effects like a stuffy nose or coughing for some, especially those with asthma or mold allergies. Typically, it only seriously affects patients who have underlying health conditions such compromised immune systems who are at risk of systemic fungal infections. But unless you’re in one of those rare categories, you really don’t have much to fear about exposure to any mold species.
That said, we should not have mold growing in our buildings. It is an indication of something wrong and will lead to the degradation of building materials. Regardless of color, all visible mold should be removed from buildings and homes.
MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip 7 minutes ago
Right, even if doesn’t break your lungs, it breaks the wall.
SoleInvictus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 hours ago
I originally studied environmental microbiology, can confirm.
blackbrook@mander.xyz 13 hours ago
Not all black colored mold is that kind of black mold.
whiskers165@hexbear.net 13 hours ago
The issue is that without paying for lab analysis its really hard to differentiate between toxic and nontoxic molds. It’s not something you can see or smell. Not to mention white, green, and brown molds can also be toxic so unless you wanna gamble with your quality of life it’s best to consider any visible mold growth in an indoor living area as a health hazard.
RoabeArt@hexbear.net 19 hours ago
Sometimed mold growing around the perimeter of a socket or switch is a sign of moisture behind that wall (poor insulation, water seeping from a leaky pipe or a hole in the roof…). Never seen it form a ring like that though, usually it’s right on the edge of the plate.
TranscendentalEmpire@lemmy.today 18 hours ago
I’ve seen similar things with homes with water damage. One of the shitty things about water damage is that you have to redo a lot of the electrics throughout the house because it can cause corrosion. Corrosion in connectors in things like outlets increases resistance and can become a fire risk.
I’m guessing the whole wall got sustained water damage causing corrosion in the outlet, increasing resistance, which caused it to throw off some heat. The heat dried out the plaster and prevented mold growth.
TyrionBean@lemmy.ml 10 hours ago
Looks like we need to show it to Bisop Brennan!
Valmond@lemmy.dbzer0.com 21 hours ago
Maybe hands plugging in and unplugging stuff touches the wall and erases the mold.
ZWQbpkzl@hexbear.net 19 hours ago
Heat
RoabeArt@hexbear.net 19 hours ago
Electromagnetic induction.
heartpunk25@lemmy.world 17 hours ago
Well it looks like somebody tried to harness it using 2 forks.
Zerush@lemmy.ml 11 hours ago
Civilisation with centralized energy source
SarahFromOz@lemmy.world 20 hours ago
Sounds like the title of a BDSM story!
randamumaki@lemmy.blahaj.zone 20 hours ago
Could it be electromagnetic fields making it grow in that pattern?
FiniteBanjo@feddit.online 17 hours ago
It’s probably that the plaster around the outlet when they installed it is mold resistant.
garibaldi_biscuit@lemmy.world 7 hours ago
And/or paint
pigup@lemmy.world 20 hours ago
There are Magnetic bacteria but this is certainly just heat/moisture related.
notso@feddit.org 16 hours ago
Have a problem with a corrupt fascist oligarchy plundering your country and plunging the world into chaos? Yep, release the wolves.
A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
[deleted]DivineDev@piefed.social 20 hours ago
I think it’s a 3 wire plug, the round holes are for screws (?)
depletedDefenses@fedinsfw.app 20 hours ago
It’s a standard UK plug, yes. Circular holes are for the screws to mount a cover, I think.
uservoid1@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
Or the socket faulty wirings heat the wall and make it less mold friendly.
Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 21 hours ago
No. It’s absolutely the next penicillin
nulluser@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
“Got a runny nose or fever? Just lick this electrical socket!”
danc4498@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
Somebody needs to eat a square of that drywall.
MisterD@lemmy.ca 8 hours ago
Or a loose connection is arcing slightly and producing ozone gas
nulluser@lemmy.world 21 hours ago
The nearly perfectly symmetrical shape makes me think its due to the electromagnetic fields when current is passing through the socket to whatever is plugged in, but I have no idea why such a small amount would have such a dramatic effect on the mold.
Soapbox@lemmy.zip 20 hours ago
I was thinking it might just be heat from the wiring or plugged in devices keeping it too dry for the mold.
JustEnoughDucks@slrpnk.net 15 hours ago
Heat spread is symmetric if the material is lol
A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 21 hours ago