If you plan on visiting a model home in the near future this book is an absolute must. Learn before you buy.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY HADD.
MOLD IN YOUR HOME
Mold is a Huge Problem
Mold or toxic mold has certainly been in the news for some time now. The dangerous effects of mold in your home can cause a bevy of heath issues including chronic bronchitis, learning disabilities, mental deficiencies, heart problems, cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple chemical sensitivity, bleeding lungs and much more.
Molds are not a new phenomenon, they are a part of the natural environment. In nature, molds are necessary for breaking down dead organic matter, leaves and trees. The problem arises when mold makes its way into your home.
Mold found in your home is a sign of other problems. Molds can only grow where there is moisture, oxygen and some sort of food to feed on. Most homeowners that have mold issues will have had some sort of water intrusion either by poorly sealed windows or doors, leaking roofs, damp or wet basements or leaky plumbing.
Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. Not all molds are toxic. Some molds produce secondary metabolites that produce toxins. The correct term is mycotoxins. Airborne mycotoxins can definitely destroy one's health. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
The worst place that molds can grow, however, is where you cannot see it. Mold can grow undetected inside wall cavities and flooring of our homes. Anywhere there may be cellulose materials such as wood, ceiling tiles, or plasterboard to feed on, mold can grow.
Many times, people are not even aware that they are breathing mold spores and mycotoxins until they are very sick. In some cases, people may have a minor allergic reaction to the non-toxic mold, and once they remove themselves from the affected area they usually will recover with few serious side effects. However, those that have been exposed to the more dangerous fungal molds such as Stachybotrys or Chaetomium, they could suffer from a myriad of serious symptoms and illnesses.
The following is a list of the most common symptoms of fungal exposure. This is not an all inclusive list, there are other symptoms and if you feel that you are being exposed to some form of toxic mold, you should seek medical attention to determine your health risks. Keep in mind that people rarely experience all of the symptoms listed. Most people with some form of Mycotoxicosis will meet at least 8 (recent symptoms) of the following criteria:
If you feel that you are experiencing some of the symptoms, seek medical attention. Let your physician know that you think that you may have been exposed to some form of toxic mold. He will need to know in order to properly diognose your symptoms.
Then you need to find out what type of mold you have growing in your home. Some molds can easily be removed by yourself while others will need professional remediation. There are tests available that you can use to quickly and cheply determine if you have a mold problem
Mouldworks@home is a mold analysis laboratory based at the University of Oregon in Eugene. They offer a self-help test for $45. That cost includes the lab analysis.
Mold issues are vast and complex. There are plenty of resources available to you via the Internet. Educate yourself about the problem and do not just assume that it will go away. Your health could be at risk by ignoring the problem.
Toxic Mold Resource Center
Toxic Black Mold Inspectors & Mold Analysis Laboratory
Ohio Toxic Mold Information
U.S. EPA
The Mold Source
CDC - National Center for Environmental Health
Toxic Mold Investigation Methods: what levels of toxic/allergenic mold are a problem?
Some of the links above will show pages put out by businesses that handle mold issues or detection/clean-up products. HADD does not endorse any businesses nor does HADD receive any compensation for providing these links. The links above have been provided for research only. HADD does not do business with any entities nor does HADD have contracts, contacts or associations with any businesses or agencies on the subject of mold