Two decades of severe storm strikes along the Gulf Coast and heavy rains and flooding this spring in the Northeast are giving a nationwide breeding ground for indoor mould and mildew growth (some mortal ) now that summer heat is here. What’s the solution? The subject is surrounded by controversy.
Research
The Centers for Disease Control, Institute of Medicine, and scientists and physicians at Harvard University, Mayo Clinic, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, and many State Health Agencies have looked at the Issue. There have been a number of studies conducted by medical researchers over the last couple of years searching for any linkages between different respiratory and physical disorders and deaths as well as the presence of molds in our living area. While some say there’s a linkage, others state the facts dont support that.
Facts
Here are the facts. Mold is everywhere; indoors and outside. Some molds are great (penicillin), some are extremely toxic and emit gases which could be inhaled (Stachybotrys “black mold”). Although some folks apparently arent bothered by mould, all types have the potential to cause illness.
Mold reproduces by producing spores which are released into the atmosphere, where they land on moist surfaces. They can grow on any natural surface like wallpaper, ceiling tiles, carpeting, wallboard and wood. They thrive in dark, warm, moist places, like under carpets, inside walls and ceilings. They may also purge items which come in contact with these surfaces.
Mold can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks in most. Complaints of flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory impairment, migraines, sick building syndrome, dizziness and nosebleeds are common. These are the symptoms that are mild.
Did you know?
Many researchers claim that mould can attack several principal body systems, including the brain, central nervous and immune systems and are the direct cause of several deaths. Regardless of where you stand on this matter, who would like to smell mold/mildew and inhale spores from family fungus? They can lodge in your lungs (remember dark, warm and moist). Asthmatics, babies and people suffering immune system deficiencies are especially susceptible. So, what should you do if you believe your house might have a mold/mildew issue?
- Mold Inspection- keep a qualified, certified mold inspection company to assess your home and determine cause of mold and severity of infestation.
- Isolation of the Area- when there’s a mold problem, you’ll want to isolate the region carefully to reduce carryover into non infested areas during setup.
- Clean Up/Remediation- care ought to be taken not to stir up the mould; if it’s severe, or at the walls, a technical remediation company (in space suits) might need to be used and materials removed in hazardous waste containers.
- Repair of this Cause- if there’s structural damage or leaky pipes causing a moisture problem, fix it.
- Maintenance/Prevention- an ongoing program to ensure no recurrence of the cause and application of proven purification technologies to keep a clean environment and kill mold development.
Final note
On this last point, emphasis is placed on use of technologies which has a proven history of mold abatement. HEPA filters and electrostatic filters which are called purifiers aren’t effective on mold/mildew. There is, nevertheless, affordable, proprietary and secure technology now available that has a proven capacity to sanitize surfaces from many different microbials and to prevent mold/mildew development. This effective technology has become widely accepted because its use by the authorities throughout the 9/11 Pentagon cleanup, is now being used in many government facilities and is available to the general public via an authorized dealer network.
