Unknown Growth is eating concrete!!!

[pandelta]

In the basement of my parents house is a white crystal like growth that is eating concrete. the concreate is bulging out as if the stuff in growing into it. If I touch the concrete it turns to powder and large pieces will flake off. What is it? How do I kill it? Is it dangerous? I thought at first it was mold but have been told its not, but who knows. It is in a damp area (old coal bin) with virutally no light. We have opened windows and are trying to circulate air in to help.

[Shelly]

It's not alive - I believe that is called "exflorescence" if I've got it spelled correctly. It just means there is water intrusion and some of the calcium is leaching out, just like happens in caves - stalactites and stalagmites. This can damage the concrete. Water proofing should be applied preferrably from the outside which may mean digging away the dirt to do it.