Mold And Mildew Dangers

With the abundance of rain and flooding, a nationwide breeding ground for indoor mold and mildew growth (some deadly) is happening.

The subject is surrounded by controversy. The Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine, as well as scientists and doctors at Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and several State Health Agencies have all looked at the problem.

There have been several studies conducted by medical researchers over the past few years looking for any linkages between various respiratory and physical ailments and deaths and the presence of molds in our living space. While some say there is a linkage, others say the facts don’t support that.

Here are the facts. Mold can occur, both inside and outside. Some molds are good (penicillin), some are very toxic and emit gases that can be inhaled. Although some people apparently are not bothered by mold, all varieties have the potential to cause illness. Mold reproduces by generating spores that are released into the air, where they land on moist surfaces. They can grow on any organic surface such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpeting, wallboard and wood. They thrive in dark, warm, moist locations, like under carpets, inside walls and ceilings. They will also contaminate items that come in contact with those surfaces.

Mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks in many. Complaints of flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory impairment, migraines, sick building syndrome, dizziness and nosebleeds are common. These are the mild symptoms.

Many researchers claim that mold can attack several main body systems, including the brain, central nervous and immune systems and have been the direct cause of some deaths. Regardless of where you stand on this issue, who wants to smell mold/mildew and inhale spores from household fungus? They can lodge in your lungs (remember dark, warm and moist). Asthmatics, infants and individuals suffering from immune system deficiencies are particularly susceptible.

So, what should you do if you think that your home might have a mold/mildew problem? Here is a suggested 5 step process:

Mold Inspection- find a qualified, certified mold inspection firm to evaluate your home and determine cause of mold and severity of infestation.

Isolation of the Area – if there is a mold problem, you will want to isolate the area carefully to prevent carryover into non-infested areas during clean up.

Clean Up/Remediation – care should be taken to not stir up the mold; if it is severe, or in the walls, a specialized remediation firm (in space suits) may have to be used and materials removed in hazardous waste containers.

Repair of the Cause – if there is structural damage or leaky plumbing causing a moisture problem, fix it.

Maintenance/Prevention – an ongoing program to ensure no recurrence of the cause and use of proven purification technology to maintain a clean environment and kill the mold growth.

On this last point, emphasis is placed on use of technology that has a proven track record of mold elimination. HEPA filters and electrostatic filters that are called purifiers are not effective on mold/mildew.

Locating Hidden Toxic Mold: Revised Edition
by: Gary Rosen Ph.D.
publisher: Hope Academic Press, published: 2006-09-12
ASIN: 0978747321
EAN: 9780978747329
sales rank: 867551
price: $25.75 (new), $42.22 (used)

Be sure to read this book. . .. before hiring a mold investigator or buying real estate. Written by Dr. Gary Rosen, one of the country’s leading authorities on mold testing and remediation, this is the first complete home owner’s/home buyer’s guide to dealing with the important subject of locating hidden mold. Advice is given on how to correctly “do it yourself” for small to medium size jobs. And for larger or complex jobs, what to look for in a mold assessor / investigator; and what you need to know to make sure the job is done right. Other books by Dr. Rosen available on Amazon.com include: “Mold and Mold Toxin Remediation” and “When Traditional Medicine Fails: Your Guide to Mold Toxins” co-authored by Dr. James Schaller who is also co-author of Dr. Shoemaker’s Mold Warriors.

Toxic Mold: A Breakthrough Discovery
publisher: CustomFlix
ASIN: B000IMVOQ4
EAN: 0883629044552
sales rank: 136794
price: $24.95 (new)

This myth-busting, no-hype video presents scientific data that a safe, non-toxic blend of therapeutic grade essential oils destroys toxic mold in as little as 24 hours. You will learn:

— Why Bleach Is Ineffective — The most Disastrous Mistakes almost everyone makes and how you can Avoid Them — How to Destroy Toxic Mold in as little as 24 Hours and keep it from coming back — What Toxic Mold May Be Doing to Your Health — How to Protect Yourself, Your Workplace, and Your Family Home from the ravages of Toxic Mold

“What Dr. Close has discovered is a Godsend to millions. No longer will it be necessary to spend thousands on extreme measures to be permanently rid of your mold problems. This video offers you the final solution to your mold problems, and one that you can afford.” David Stewart, PhD, DNM

“When I discovered mold between layers of old wallpaper, I was quoted $2300 just for removing the wallpaper. Following Dr. Close’s recommendations saved me nearly $1500!” — C. Bennett, Southeast Missouri

“Convincing evidence of the harm that can be done by toxic mold, and of the powerful effectiveness of essential oils in eradicating this fungus that wreaks havoc with our health. Bravo for a job well done!” — Joy Linsley, Naperville, IL

Edward R Close, PhD, is a Professional Engineer in the State of Missouri and has worked in the environmental industry since 1965.

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply.

Carpet Monsters and Killer Spores: A Natural History of Toxic Mold
by: Nicholas P. Money
publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, published: 2004-04-08
ASIN: B000QEDQ88
sales rank: 546809

Molds are everywhere: we inhale their microscopic spores from birth to death. But when an investigation in Ohio revealed that babies suffering from a serious lung illness had been exposed to a toxic black mold in their homes, millions of Americans became nervous about patches of mold in their own basements and bathrooms. Before long, lawsuits were filed by the residents of mold-contaminated homes in every state. By failing to address water damage, building contractors, plumbers, and insurance agents were held liable for exposing families to an unprecedented microbiological hazard. The mold crisis soon developed into a fully-fledged media circus. In Carpet Monsters and Killer Spores, Nicholas Money explores the science behind the headlines and courtroom dramas, and profiles the toxin-producing mold that is a common inhabitant of water-damaged buildings. Nicholas Money tells the most important mycological story since potato blight, with his inimitable style of scientific clarity and dark humor.

Toxic Mold Syndrome
Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan

Mold And Mildew Dangers

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 at 10:24 AM and is filed under Health issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.