DID YOU KNOW?  Painting over mold does not eliminate the problem, it only covers it up. When you have a mold problem, you first need to determine how much of the problem can be removed and how much need to be cleaned and treated.  First you will need to contain the area where the work is to be done, then remove the material that is effected that is considered disposable, that includes: drywall,  trim work, insulation, carpeting and more.  After the disposable material is removed we will then clean and treat all of the surrounding area. You should never just...
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Mycotoxins are produced on the surface of mold spores. Uniquely, they remain toxic even after the spore itself is dead. Mycotoxins are what cause the sicknesses in people and animals. The good news is that not all molds produce mycotoxins. Molds are split into two genres. Toxigenic and Non-toxigenic. Molds that produce mycotoxins are considered to be toxigenic. Those that don’t are non-toxigenic. What Types of Mycotoxins Are There? There are 5 main strands of mycotoxins: Aflatoxins, Ochratoxin A, Fumonisins, certain Trichothecenes and Zearalenone. What do Mycotoxins Do? Mycotoxins can cause the more serious issues that occur i.e. breathing...
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The molds inside our homes produce toxic agents known as mycotoxins which can have negative effects on human health, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recently reported that seven million premature deaths are linked to indoor air pollution annually. And according to the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), the people at greatest risk of health effects and mold symptoms due to mold are infants and children, elderly people, and pregnant women; as well as individuals with allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or other respiratory conditions. The good news is that there are precautions that you can take at home. A common misconception...
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In the 1960s few would have believed that smoke-free workplaces would before long become the norm. Could fragrance-free workplaces be the wave of the future? A CDC policy bans the use of air fresheners and scented candles in every CDC facility in the country. This policy states: “The use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines.” The full CDC policy can be viewed on the website of the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, which contains information about multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), including a research bibliography. Individuals with...
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Efflorescence patterns are also sometimes mistaken for mold growth. When moisture migrates from the exterior through concrete, it dissolves some materials in the concrete. When the moisture evaporates on the inner side of the concrete wall, this material remains behind, sometimes looking like clumps or lines of fuzzy growth. This material is made of minerals, not mold; still, the presence of efflorescence indicates a moisture-intrusion problem in a basement. Mold requires moisture for growth, so you want to keep water out of your basement. Efflorescence on a foundation wall (picture above).  If your basement has ever experienced water intrusion from...
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A Health Threat Mold can be a pesky infestation in a residence. Moist areas are the ideal location for mold to grow and thrive, and if a mold problem begins to form, it can easily spread if left untreated. The issue with mold is that it can begin to affect the health of anyone who is exposed to it. The symptoms may vary from person to person, ranging from mild reactions to severe, and may vary in length, either flaring up during certain times of the year, certain weather, or even continuing throughout the year. Mild Symptoms Mild symptoms may...
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MOLD RISKS DURING RENOVATION! BATHROOM RENOVATION GONE BAD A bathroom renovation project can be very dangerous. You may hire a contractor with experience and a solid understanding of the potential risks caused by mold.  If you do not you can run into major problems. The contractor renovated a bathroom, but did not install the shower liner and tile properly. The end result was moisture intrusion that led to a significant mold infestation that took two months and resulted in many of thousands of dollars worth of damage. If the contractor takes full responsibility for the problem and paid for all...
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WHAT CAUSES MOLD GROWTH? WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPES AND VARIETIES OF MOLD? WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD? HOW CAN I DETECT MOLD? Mold awareness is increasing because of a growing community of mold sensitized individuals that have organized themselves on FaceBook and other Social Media to share their experiences. Many in the mold community were excited by the release of a new documentary, MOLDY in the summer of 2015. This film was produced by Dave Asprey, the founder of Bullet Proof Coffee and  Health Products. Dave produced this film because he also suffered from mold illness. This...
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The purpose of this article is to explain why and how mold could cause asthma. TOP 10 ASTHMA FACTS AND STATS The following information was cited from Medical News Today, WebMD and the CDC: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. Is is a respiratory condition marked by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing. The exact cause of asthma is unknown. Trigger and causes of asthma include allergies, tobacco smoke, environmental factors, obesity, genetics, and other factors. About 1 in 12 people (about 25 million) have asthma, and the numbers are increasing every year. Asthma are rates...
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IS THERE A LINK BETWEEN MOLD AND DEPRESSION? One fascinating thing I’d like to point out: Dr. Shoemaker has often said that it’s about 25% of the population is susceptible to biotoxin-associated illness. When you add up who’s been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness, it too adds up to about 25% of the population. Is that a coincidence? Perhaps. But it’s a very interesting coincidence to me. One of the goals of Indoor Environmental Professionals is to help people gain knowledge about mold and indoor air quality issues. We are accomplishing this goal with our community, networking efforts,...
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