| Two years of severe hurricane hits along the Gulf | | | | nosebleeds are common. These are the mild |
| Coast and heavy rains and flooding this spring in | | | | symptoms. Many researchers claim that mold can |
| the Northeast are providing a nationwide breeding | | | | attack several main body systems, including the |
| ground for indoor mold and mildew growth (some | | | | brain, central nervous and immune systems and |
| deadly) now that summer heat is here. What is | | | | have been the direct cause of some deaths. |
| the solution? | | | | Regardless of where you stand on this issue, who |
| The subject is surrounded by controversy. The | | | | wants to smell mold/mildew and inhale spores |
| Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine, | | | | from household fungus? They can lodge in your |
| as well as scientists and doctors at Harvard | | | | lungs (remember dark, warm and moist). |
| University, Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, | | | | Asthmatics, infants and individuals suffering |
| and several State Health Agencies have all looked | | | | immune system deficiencies are particularly |
| at the problem. There have been several studies | | | | susceptible. |
| conducted by medical researchers over the past | | | | So, what should you do if you think that your |
| few years looking for any linkages between | | | | home might have a mold/mildew problem? |
| various respiratory and physical ailments and | | | | Here’s a suggested 5 step process: |
| deaths and the presence of molds in our living | | | | • Mold Inspection- retain a qualified, certified |
| space. While some say there is a linkage, others | | | | mold inspection firm to evaluate your home and |
| say the facts don’t support that. | | | | determine cause of mold and severity of |
| Here are the facts. Mold is everywhere; inside and | | | | infestation. |
| outside. Some molds are good (penicillin), some | | | | • Isolation of the Area- if there is a mold |
| are very toxic and emit gases that can be inhaled | | | | problem, you will want to isolate the area carefully |
| (Stachybotrys “black mold”). | | | | to prevent carryover into non infested areas |
| Although some people apparently aren’t | | | | during clean up. |
| bothered by mold, all varieties have the potential | | | | • Clean Up/Remediation- care should be |
| to cause illness. Mold reproduces by generating | | | | taken to not stir up the mold; if it is severe, or in |
| spores that are released into the air, where they | | | | the walls, a specialized remediation firm (in space |
| land on moist surfaces. They can grow on any | | | | suits) may have to be used and materials |
| organic surface such as wallpaper, ceiling tiles, | | | | removed in hazardous waste containers. |
| carpeting, wallboard and wood. They thrive in | | | | • Repair of the Cause- if there is structural |
| dark, warm, moist locations, like under carpets, | | | | damage or leaky plumbing causing a moisture |
| inside walls and ceilings. They will also contaminate | | | | problem, fix it. |
| items that come in contact with those surfaces. | | | | • Maintenance/Prevention- an ongoing |
| Mold can trigger allergic reactions and asthma | | | | program to ensure no recurrence of the cause |
| attacks in many. Complaints of flu-like symptoms, | | | | and use of proven purification technology to |
| chronic fatigue syndrome, memory impairment, | | | | maintain a clean environment and kill mold growth. |
| migraines, sick building syndrome, dizziness and | | | | |