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For information on mold remediation, mold removal, mold
cleaning, mold abatement, testing for mold, mold inspection, mold
investigation, and accurate mold test kit please visit
Mold Mart.
Learn
how to do mold
inspection, mold
remediation and mold
testing
by visiting Mold
Inspector Certification
or Kill
Mold for Less.
Toxic
Mold
Destroys Both
Your Home and Your Health!
"Most
homeowners believe that as long as they do not see visible signs of
mold, that is, patches of green, blue, or black discoloration on
surfaces, their environment is free of contamination. What they don't
realize, however, is that large accumulations of [hidden or concealed]
mold may be growing in areas that they cannot see, like air ducts, remote attic or basement spaces, or wall cavities. Left to multiply,
these infestations may produce enough organic compounds to cause
allergic reactions, sickness and, in extreme cases, death (a possibility
with infants)," Edward R. Lipinski, "HOME CLINIC: The Battle
Against Mold and Mildew," N.Y.
TIMES, 9/12/99.
"Fifty
percent [50%] of homes contain problem molds. A
new medical study attributes nearly 100% of chronic sinus infections to
mold. A 300% increase in the asthma rate over the past 20 years has been
linked to molds," as
reported in USA
WEEKEND, Dec.
3-5, 1999.
"Exposure
to certain types of fungi, known as toxic mold, can cause a serious
[allergic] reaction. If you're unlucky, this is the kind of mold you
have. If you're really unlucky, your toxic mold will gird for battle and
go to war, secreting chemicals called mycotoxins, which can find their
way into your body, entering through your nose, mouth, and skin, lodging
perhaps in your digestive tract, your lungs, or your brain. Among these
toxins are trichothecenes, which were rumored to have been used as a
biological weapon during the wars in Afghanistan and Vietnam,"
warned Lisa Belkin, "Haunted by Mold," NEW
YORK TIMES, Aug.
13, 2001.
"All molds
have the potential to cause health effects. Molds can produce allergens
that can trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people
allergic to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or
irritants. Potential health concerns are an important
reason." The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
March, 2001.
"Even if
mold in your house doesn't cause you any medical problems, if it becomes
established in the wood in your home, 'dry rot' may form. Dry rot can
result in a homeowner's nightmare. When the mold dies, the wood dries
and then shrinks, breaking up into irregular chunks. Cracks in the wood
fiber then act like straws, siphoning up moisture and carrying it to
undamaged portions of the wood. Left unchecked, this process keeps
recurring, continually rotting more wood, and can cause severe
structural damage to your home," warned Vicki Lankarge, on the
website insure.com.
"Mold problems
have become more prevalent because of increased use of cheaper building
materials like plasterboard and plywood, which are more prone to growing
mold when wet...Mold, as always, is spreading. But so is mold
litigation, to the consternation of the insurance industry. Last week a
state court in Austin, Texas, awarded Melinda Ballard and her family
$32.1 million in a case involving allegedly extensive mold damage to
their Dripping Springs, Texas, house. The jury ruled that Farmers
Insurance Group had failed to properly address Ms. Ballard's original
water-damage and mold claim and committed fraud in its handling of her
claim," noted Christopher Oster, "Insurers Blanch At
Proliferation of Mold Claims," WALL
STREET JOURNAL,
June 6, 2001.
For more mold health information, please visit:
Mold
Inspector
as well as
read the rest of this page below---
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Top
10 Health Symptoms of Mold Affecting Your Health
The top ten
symptoms that you or a family member may be suffering from allergy to
mold, animal dander, or dust--- or having asthma triggered by mold
exposure (listed in alphabetical order: note that you may suffer
one or several of these symptoms)---
a
memory loss or memory difficulties/Alzheimers-like
symptoms
a
learning difficulties or mental functioning problems
a feeling lost or "disconnected"
from what's happening around you
a
headaches
a seizures
a
runny nose (rhinitis)
a
clear, thin, watery mucus from your nose may appear suddenly
a sinus congestion and sinus problems
a thick, green slime coming out of nose
(from sinus cavities)
a
coughing and resulting sore lungs/chest from excessive coughing
a coughing up blood
a bleeding lungs
a
difficulty breathing
a
hives
a
itching of the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
a
redness of the sclera (white of your eyes)
a
skin rashes
a
skin redness
a open skin sores and lacerations
a
sneezing
a sneezing fits (more than three
sneezes in a row, happening often)
a vomiting
a
diarrhea
a
chronic, excessive, or continued fatigue
a chronic dandruff problems that don't go
away despite use of shampoo like "Head & Shoulders" and "Pantene Pro-V"
Is it a cold or allergies?
Some tips to help
you tell the difference, courtesy of the American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma and Immunology [U.S.A. Today, "All About Allergies
and Asthma," March 16,2001]
Allergies
-
Eyes, ears, nose and/or throat (especially
the palate or roof of the mouth) are itchy.
-
Eyes
may also be red and watery.
-
Sneezing is often repetitive.
-
Nasal discharge is usually clear and thin.
-
Fever and achiness are typically absent.
-
Symptoms tend to be seasonal and are
often at their worst during pollen season (from spring to the first
frost in the fall).
-
Symptoms may last for weeks or months, or
may be chronic, depending upon exposure to offending allergen(s),
Colds
-
Nasal discharge is usually clear
initially, but may become thick and yellow after several days.
-
Sneezing is usually sporadic and
non-repetitive.
-
Fever and achiness may be present
-
Eyes, ears, nose and/or throat have no or
minimal itching.
-
Symptoms typically end within 3 to 10
days.
Top Ten Triggers for Seasonal
Allergies
Precautions to Take
to Reduce the Impact of the "Top Ten Triggers for Seasonal
Allergies," courtesy of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and
Immunology [U.S.A. Today, "All About Allergies and
Asthma," March 16,2001]
Up to 20% of the
U.S. population suffers from allergic diseases, including 35 million who
suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergists recommended avoidance as the
first line of defense against seasonal allergies. Here are the ten ways
you can reduce your seasonal allergy symptoms:
1. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high and on windy days when
pollen and dust are blown about.
2. Use air conditioning and a dehumidifier to clean, cool and dry the
air.
3. Shower or bathe and change clothes following outdoor activity to
remove pollen and fungal spores from your hair skin and clothing.
4. Don’t hang clothes to dry outside; instead, dry them in a vented
dryer.
5. Have a friend or a family member do yard work.
6. Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollen and fungal spores from
drifting into your home. Instead, if needed, use air conditioning which
cleans, cools and dries the air.
7. Minimize activities when pollen counts are high. Peak pollen times
are usually between 2-4 p.m., but differ for trees, grasses, and weeds.
8. Keep your car windows closed when traveling.
9. Try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is reported to
be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.
10. Take your vacation to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or
sea.
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HEALTH
EFFECTS [from Minn. & Cal. Health
Depts.]
How am I exposed to indoor molds?
Mold is found everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It is
common to find mold spores in the air of homes and growing on damp
surfaces. Much of the mold found indoors comes from outdoor sources.
Therefore, everyone is exposed to some mold on a daily basis without
evident harm. Mold spores primarily cause health problems when they
enter the air and are inhaled in large number. People can also be
exposed to mold through skin contact and eating.
How much mold can make me sick?
It depends. For some people, a relatively small
number of mold spores can cause health problems. For other people, it
may take many more. The basic rule is, if you can see or smell it, take
steps to eliminate the excess moisture, and to cleanup and remove the
mold.
Who is at greater risk when exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone inside
buildings. It is important to quickly identify and correct any moisture
sources before health problems develop. The following individuals appear
to be at higher risk for adverse health effects of molds:
-
Infants and children
-
elderly
-
immune compromised patients (people with HIV
infection, cancer chemotherapy, liver disease, etc.)
-
pregnant women
-
individuals with existing respiratory conditions,
such as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma.
People with these special concerns should consult a
physician if they are having health problems.
What symptoms are common?
Allergic reactions may be the most common health
problem of mold exposure. Typical symptoms reported (alone or in
combination) include:
-
respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and
difficulty in breathing
-
nasal and sinus congestion
-
eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision,
light sensitivity
-
dry, hacking cough
-
sore throat
-
nose and throat irritation
-
shortness of breath
-
skin irritation
-
central nervous system problems (constant
headaches, memory problems, and mood changes)
-
aches and pains
-
possible fever
Are some molds more hazardous than others?
Allergic persons vary in their sensitivities to mold,
both as to amount and type needed to cause reactions. In addition,
certain types of molds can produce toxins, called mycotoxins,
that the mold uses to inhibit or prevent the growth of other organisms.
Mycotoxins are found in both living and dead mold spores. Materials
permeated with mold need to be removed, even after they are disinfected
with cleaning solutions. Allergic and toxic effects can remain in
dead spores. Exposure to mycotoxins may present a greater hazard than
that of allergenic or irritative molds. Mycotoxins have been found in
homes, agricultural settings, food, and office buildings.
For more information, please visit:
http://www.moldinspector.com.
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