Medical studies have found that black mold is the #1 cause of allergic symptoms. The mold Stachybotrys found in home, office and school environments has been linked to fatal pulmonary disorders.
Do you notice any of the following?
- Discoloration or black mold on baseboards, wallboards, or wallpaper.
- Cracks in shower tile, lack of caulking, loose toilet seal, leaks under sink
- Carpet and padding in direct contact with concrete slab
- Poorly maintained or dirty air conditioning/heating vents and filters
- Damp crawl space (poor drainage of plumbing leaks)
- Water penetration (water marks on walls, mold spots on walls)
- Musty/ moldy odor
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, then you could be EXPOSED TO TOXIC BLACK MOLD!
What is Mold and Where Is It Found?
Molds are microscopic organisms, found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Molds can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic material. Also susceptible to mold growth are cellulose materials, such as, cardboard, paper, ceiling tiles, and sheet rock. Mold spores are easily detached and made airborne by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a couch. In indoor environments, mold can grow in air conditioning ducts, carpets, pots of houseplants, etc. NOTE: Many manufacturers are now making “Mold Resistant” drywall that are paperless (nothing organic).
How Can Mold Affect Your Health?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone but the following individuals are at a higher risk for adverse health effects: infants, children, elderly, immune compromised patients, pregnant women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions. When inhaled, even in small amounts, mold can cause a wide range of health problems including respiratory problems (wheezing), nasal and sinus congestion, watery and red eyes, nose and throat irritation, skin irritation, aches and pains, fevers, asthma, emphysema and in some cases even death.
Mold Can Be Found In Many Areas Of Your Home
- Attic
- Living Rooms
- Bathrooms
- (HVAC) Ventilation System
- Bedrooms
- Kitchens
- Any Moist Areas
- Carpets
- Garage
How Can You Be Exposed To Mold?
When moldy materials become damaged or disturbed, spores (reproductive bodies similar to seeds) can be released into the air. The following are sources of indoor moisture that may cause mold problems in your home or office: flooding, leaky roofs, humidifiers, damp or crawl spaces, constant plumbing leaks, house plants, steam from cooking, shower/bath steam and leaks, wet clothes, and clothes dryers vented indoors.
The Black Mold Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra)
Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra) is a greenish-black toxic mold that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material, such as straw, hay, wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation, etc. Stachbotrys, before drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch. There are about 15 species of Stachybotrys, known throughout the world. This toxic mold grows in areas where the relative humidity is above 55%. This type of mold does not grow on plastic, vinyl, concrete products, or ceramic tiles. It is not found in the green mold on bread or the black mold on the shower tiles.
Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin that causes human mycotoxicosis.
This type of mold is thought to be a possible cause of the sick building syndrome. Children's exposure to Stachybotrys spores are thought most likely to cause pulmonary hemosiderosis (bleeding in the lungs). The following is a list of symptoms associated with exposure to Stachybotrys mold spores:
- 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
- Chronic fatigue
- Skin irritation
- Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory problems, and mood changes)
- Aches and pains
- Possible fever
- Diarrhea
- Possible hemosiderosis
- Immune suppression
We use two types of mold sampling methods.
[1] In the event we find or suspect mold substances, we take a swab sample (see picture) with a culturette swab. This sample is then overnighted to a lab and results are emailed within 1-3 days. Detailed reports of the results are provided.
[2] We are able to test Indoor Air Quality by pulling an air sample using ZEFON air sampling cassette. It's easily used to get preliminary information on whether a mold problem may exist and further investigation is warranted. This method is an industry recognized and reliable method that allows superior mold spore collection.
NOTE: Our tests are used to get preliminary information on whether a mold problem exists. Should a positive test be found, further evaluation and/ or remediation protocol should be developed by a Licensed Industrial Hygienist.
