Mold... The Uninvited Visitor

from: http://massapequa.patch.com/articles/an-unwanted-visitormold

By now you hopefully have cleaned up from the path of destruction that Hurricaine Irene left behind as she swept up the eastern seaboard.

The trees and debris have been removed but if you had roof damage or water in your basement you may be harboring a hidden health hazard, mold. Mold problems are common after flooding because the humidity provides the perfect medium for mold spores to grow and multiply. It usually requires several days or weeks to fully dry out a house after a water leak or flood.

Odors may be the first or only sign of a potential mold problem since mold grows in places that it is not often visible such as behind the walls or under the carpet. The worst type of mold to grow in a home is toxic black mold which can irritate the mucus membranes and central nervous system leading to symptoms of breathing difficulties, headaches, nausea, skin rashes, decreased attention span, nosebleeds, difficulty in concentration and dizziness.

At high levels the spores of black mold can damage the internal organs of an infant with internal bleeding leading to death. This can also happen in patients who are immunocompromised. If you find black mold thoroughly clean all hard surfaces that can be reached with a solution of one cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Never mix the bleach with ammonia or other cleaning solutions that can create toxic fumes.

Open all windows and doors to provide fresh air. Wear non-porous gloves protective eye wear and a face mask. If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 feet, get professional help. Absorbent or porous materials like ceiling tiles, drywall, and carpet may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.

Unless the mold is completely removed the spores will continue to grow and make you sick. You can reduce mold in your home by eliminating sources of dampness in your basement such as pipe leaks or groundwater seepage. Use a dehumidifier in any area of your home that smells musty or damp and keep your humidity levels below 50%.

Clean the collection coils and bucket regularly. Change filters on your air conditioner and furnaces regularly and have your heating ducts inspected and cleaned. Make sure all bathrooms are properly vented. Promote groundwater drainage away from your house by removing leaves and vegetation from around the foundation and clean out your gutters. If you suspect mold growth in your home and you can’t locate it get professional help from a licensed mold inspector to find your hidden intruder.

Mold Is Toxic: Get It Cleaned Up Now!

from: http://mold.wordwd.com/2011/07/13/mold-its-toxic-get-it-cleaned-up-immediately/

If you are reading this article, chances are that you are looking for a mold removal service to carry out the cleanup in your home.

Mold is a universal problem that can have severe effects on the health of human beings who live in a house that is affected with this toxic substance. It is advised that the affected area be cleaned up and restored immediately after it is detected as widespread mold can result in several health risks, some of which are mentioned below.

Dangers posed by mold

Asthma attacks –
Some people are extremely allergic to mold and it can trigger bad asthma attacks or make existing cases of asthma much worse in a patient.

Other allergic reactions –
Improper mold cleanup can result in spreading of Spores across the house that can lead to allergic reactions such as runny nose, rashes, sneezing and red eyes.

Irritation –
Many patients have reported irritations in the eyes, nose and throat regions that has been directly linked to mold.

Infections –
Mold also has the ability to cause athlete’s foot and other topical infections.

Serious risks –
In extremely bad cases, mold even has the ability to cause serious health problems such as pneumonia and other diseases that will affect the lungs.

Mold is a very difficult problem to tackle as it thrives in conditions that are also perfectly suitable for humans to live. This fungus essentially thrives by feeding on organic matter such as cardboard, wood or other natural construction materials that are found in the house.

Moisture is also another very important ingredient for the growth of mold and a professional fire and water restoration contractor will have to address the mold cleanup in such a way that the water source creating the moisture is stopped.

It is estimated that there are over 100k varieties of mold and not every one of them will be visible to the naked eye. Some will leave an ugly brown, black or green stain on your walls or ceilings while some will spread without any visual clues.

Only a professional mold removal company will be able to assess the true damage created by mold in your house. A professional mold removal company will carry out the following steps in their mold cleanup process that will eliminate mold from your house.

Eliminate the moisture problem –
As said earlier, mold damage removal will begin with the elimination of the moisture source. Cleaning up mold without first eliminating the moisture source will result in the mold coming back in most cases.
Commercial mold damage removal companies will use dehumidifiers and blowers to eliminate the moisture source.

Cleaning in a contained area –
It is very important for one to use proper protective clothing while cleaning out mold. A professional mold removal contractor will seal off or contain the room that needs to be cleaned and one would not have to worry about the mold spreading to other parts of the house during the mold cleanup process.

Cleaning and removing the mold –
Various materials will need various types of cleaning methods. The cleaning method will also vary depending on the type of the mold that needs to be cleaned out and it is best that you leave the job to a professional mold damage removal company that will do the best job for your house.

Black Mold In Pregnancy: How Harmful Is It?

from: http://experts.merchantcircle.com/articles/Effects-of-Black-Mold-and-Pregnanc...

Black mold can be present on any surface affected by water damage, or exposed to excessive moisture. It may cause problems in healthy adults, but particularly harmful to women who are pregnant.

Black mold can produce mycotoxins that may cause health issues in the expectant mother and unborn baby. Women who are pregnant should avoid being exposed to black mold.

Stachybotrys chartarum, also referred to as black mold or toxic mold, can cause negative effects in both expectant mom and fetus. This particular mold produces harmful toxins to humans.

Mold can be found in the air and any surface. It is common in areas that have high humidity levels, condensation and water damage due to flooding or leaking pipes.

The effects of mold on the mother and unborn child will vary depending upon the length of exposure and the amount of mold spores inhaled.

Pregnant women exposed to mold may experience upper respiratory infections and wheezing. Women who have asthma may have an increase with asthma-related symptoms. Skin or eye irritation and nasal stuffiness may also occur.

In severe cases of exposure, women may experience difficulty breathing and have a fever. Studies have not conclusively proven black mold effects on a fetus, however, there is a correlation between toxic mold exposure and an increased risk of miscarriage.

Animal studies have shown a disruption of fetal development when subjected to toxic mold while in the womb.

There is also speculation that black mold exposure in a fetus or newborn can be linked to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), and a child in the womb exposed to black mold may also develop asthma or allergies later in life.

Women who suspect they are being contaminated with toxic or black mold should contact a certified mold inspector to evaluate the conditions. If samples prove that Stachybotrys chartarum, or black mold, is present in the home or office she should evacuate until the house has been disinfected properly and mold is no longer a threat.

Can You Sue Your Landlord For Mold? This Family Did

from: http://www.removing-mold.com/2011/06/weston-family-sues-landlord-for-neglecti...

Weston, Florida Weston family sues landlord for neglect.

This family continues to be residing in a really nice house in a very prestigious neighborhood in Weston, Florida more than 9 months.

The child, 4 yrs . old, started getting sick, coughing a great deal and when the child was taken up to a medical facility, they identified the kid continues to be slowly intoxicating with mold.

His bedroom’s closed had a broken pipe and the parents didn’t find early enough. Mold Inspection Weston A worried parent asked the owner to care for the issue.

The landlord sent a handyman to take care of the condition, nevertheless the handyman only cleaned the walls having a bleach product. The little one never improved and when the mother and father inspected the closet, found out the mold grew back.

Amazingly, the owner will not fix the issue as well as the tenants made a decision to move out of the exact property, smashing the lease. Before they moved out, they hired a local company, Blue Star, to complete an inspection and also the findings were really bad.

The landlord refused to come back the escrow deposit and enough was enough using this people. Black Mold Removal Miami Three days later case was filed about the landlord for neglect. The landlord as well as the Florida family settled outside of court.

Top Reasons To Use A Mold Detection Dog

from: http://www.mold-dog.com/top7.htm

1) Less Expensive.
Mold Dogs generate quicker and more accurate results, which leads to lower remediation costs for homeowners and insurers. For schools, hotels, commercial and government buildings, cost savings can be quite substantial.

2) Cutting-Edge Technology.
The "Nose" is cutting-edge technology and the latest trend in the home inspection industry. It's the only inspection tool that can detect and pinpoint sources of mold - critical information for lowering costs.

3) Proven and Trusted.
“Man’s best friend” has been used for years by military and law enforcement agencies to detect bombs and drugs, among other things. In Europe, dogs have been used to detect mold for over 20 years.

4)Dogs are Honest.
Dogs are trained to work for food and love...and NOT for profits.

5) Greater Peace of Mind.
Research supports that if the dog finds mold, there's a high statistical probability you should investigate further. If the dog doesn't find mold, you can know with greater certainty that your home, office or school is safe from mold.

6) Hard Workers.
In Germany, government authorities have found that a typical office building search of approximately 200 rooms can take one dog eight hours to complete.

7) Effective Problem Solvers.
For REALTORS® concerned about escrow timelines, Mold Dogs can quickly and more accurately inspect a home, which gives both parties the feedback they need to quickly and effectively resolve issues.

Toxic Mold in the Workplace

There are dangers in any workplace environment. Typically, an individual is aware of the particular hazards that one is likely to encounter in relation to his or her own profession. But there are some threats to worker safety for which it is impossible to prepare. The situation is made more difficult by the fact that some of these dangers may be unseen. For example, toxic mold can thrive in the structure where a person works, leading to dangerous exposure that can have striking adverse health effects. Two types of indoor mold that are especially harmful are Memnoniella and Stachybotrys. When inhaled, an unsuspecting worker may face life-threatening illness. If you have suffered from toxic mold exposure in the workplace, a workers’ compensation claim can help to ensure that your medical needs are met and that the costs for treatment are not borne by you. Contact the Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 910-488-1600 to discuss your situation with a compassionate and committed legal representative. Health Hazards of Mold Identifying toxic mold is difficult because many of the minor symptoms are often ignored by sufferers. Overtime, the effects of prolonged exposure can prove to be far severer and it may be too late to avoid catastrophic health crises. The following are representative of the consequences of toxic mold exposure: Depression Headaches Dizziness Lung Disease Brain Damage Chronic Fatigue Seeking medical treatment when any of these symptoms appears can help to identify the problem before the situation turns tragic. Contact Us If you have been made ill by workplace exposure to toxic, or “black,” mold, then it is important that you are aware of your legal rights regarding workers’ compensation benefits. Contact the Fayetteville workers’ compensation lawyers of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, at 910-488-1600 right away for assistance with your claim.

Mold Between Walls

by: By Josienita Borlongan, eHow Contributor from: http://www.ehow.co.uk/m/info_8501487_leaking-caused-mold-between-walls.html

Considered vital elements of an ecosystem, molds are natural occurrences that help in decomposing organic materials such as plants and animals. However, molds can cause allergies if left uncontrolled.

Molds, at their toxic levels, may have long-term and critical effects to indoor air quality and may affect one's health, especially the respiratory and immunity systems. Leaking pipes are one of the leading causes of molds that appear between walls.

Characteristics of Molds
Molds multiply through tiny spores. They float in the air and, once they find a moist or damp place, they will thrive and multiply by digesting any organic material.

Molds become toxic in areas where moisture and humidity are unusually high. These molds grow where there's poor air movement or ventilation.

These toxic molds, more commonly known as black molds or Stachybotrys chartarum, are greenish and slimy in appearance. They produce mycotoxins that can cause severe lung and skin disorders.

Leaking Pipes and Molds
Leaking pipes do not only lead to renovation or maintenance problems, but they can also cause toxic mold occurrences.

Damaged water pipes and pipe leaks result in extreme levels of humidity. Before you know it, molds are silently invading your home through unchecked pipe leaks. Wall crevices easily absorb and retain water leaks from pipes over time. Molds will settle in these areas where they'll multiply and produce uncontrollably.

Hazardous Effects of Toxic Molds in the Walls Caused by Leaking Pipes

Toxic molds in the walls produce tiny allergens that accumulate and cause harmful as well as fatal health conditions. If left uncontrolled, toxic black mold can be poisonous.

Toxic black mold poisoning is often mistaken for cold or flu. These tiny particles invade the immune and respiratory systems and often show symptoms such as nasal or sinus congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes or skin, dizziness, headache, nose bleed, fungal infection and difficulty in concentrating.

Toxic molds in the walls can also lead to asthma, which results from severe allergies to molds that can lead to the swelling of the lungs. Patients suffering from asthma find breathing very difficult.

Preventive Measures
Perform a thorough inspection of potential breeding grounds. Walls affected by leaking pipes top the list of places to look into. Molds usually leave signs where they thrive. Tell-tale signs include wall discoloration or cracked, peeling or uneven paint.

Molds thrive where humidity is high. They definitely grow inside damp wall cavities and spaces between walls and floor baseboards. Once you've identified the places, a thorough cleanup is in order.

The Department of Energy recommends the use of filtered High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum to eliminate the presence of these tiny contaminants. In addition, molds often do not thrive in areas with good air circulation.

Moving furniture away from walls will allow more air circulation and less presence of moisture. Use of dehumidifiers and exhaust fans can also help decrease humidity and reduce indoor air moisture levels.