Blog

• General,
• Total Detox

Mold fact #1: The main ingredient Mold needs to thrive is Moisture.

Moisture may come from flooding; leaky roofs or water leaks; humidifiers uncleaned or disinfected; damp basements or crawl spaces; house plants; showers; steam from cooking; wet cloths drying indoors; poor air exchange; humidity and condensation during winter; poorly insulated surfaces.

To control indoor mold growth humidity should be maintained between 30 to 40%

Mold fact # 2: The perfect food for mold is found in homes and buildings. Molds main purpose is to break down and consume dead organic material. Wood; paper cardboard; wallpaper; leather; fabric; upholstery; grout; painted walls; cement; drywall; ceiling tiles; carpet and insulation materials.

Mold fact #3: Mold will start growing in less than 48 hours! This is the reason why quick water damage restoration is so important. Mold requires three main ingredients to grow. #1 moisture; #2 food; #3 temperatures of 41 degrees to 100 Fahrenheit

Mold fact #4: Untreated mold growth reduces the resale value of property Failure to fix the underlying causes of the mold will lead to reduced property values and worse respiratory illness and more. The average household mols removal project may range between $2,000 and $ 6,000 but depending on the extent of the contamination it could be as high as $30,000.

Mold fact #5: Mold is a causes CHRONIC SINUSITIS. According to Doctors at the Mayo Clinic, David Sherris, Eugene Kern, and Jens Ponikau, chronic sinusitis is caused by a fungus and is an immune reaction. This conclusion was based on a research study of 210 patients with chronic sinusitis. The Doctors collected mucus samples from the patients’ noses and discovered fungus in 96% of the patients. In addition, they identified 40 different kinds of fungi, averaging out to 2.7 types per patient. (www.sciencedaily.com) this reference is not clear.

Mold fact # 6: 25% of the population have a genetic predisposition to mold illness! Dr. Richie Shoemaker (www.survivingmold.com) a physician and expert in the field of bio toxin-related illness and the author book Surviving Mold, believes that 25% of the population have a genetic predisposition to mold illness, Chronic Inflammatory Respond Syndrome^(CIRS) , also known as sick Building Syndrome (SBS) resulting in chronic inflammation and multiple symptoms. Because of the large number of the symptoms and different combinations that a patient may have , CIRS is difficult to diagnose.

Mold fact #7: Most Doctors do not have the training to identify Mold Illness. According to the producers of the MOLDY Documentary released this year, most Physicians do not understand or have the knowledge to properly diagnose patients with mold illness. Dr Shoemaker began a training program for physicians wanting to practice mold illness. (www.survivingmold.com) Mold sickness symptoms are many leading to multiple misdiagnosis of the patients by several different physicians, over time the patients may discover that mold illness was the cause of their being sick. Possibly every doctor is treating mold illness and they just don't realize it.

Mold fact #8: The World Health Organisation (WHO) Acknowledges That Mold Is A Health Hazard. In 2009, The WHO published, a 228 page document: WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould and concluded: When sufficient moisture is available, hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi-particularly mould-pollute indoor air. The most important effects of exposure to these pollutants are the increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies, and asthma, as well as disturbance of the immune system. Preventing (or minimizing) persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and building structures is the most important means of avoiding harmful effects on health. REFERENCE! (Web site)

Mold fact #9: Most mold is hidden. You may not be aware that it is growing in your home. It may be hiding inside drywall, behind improperly installed showers, in kitchens under the sinks, behind appliances (refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines) Window sills, condensation accumulated around windows, basements, crawl spaces with poor circulation and leaky roofs. The quest to reduce energy bills due to the 1973 oil crisis was the consequence of building of air tight and improperly ventilated homes which caused mold grow. Mold can be detected by smell, visual cues and knowledge of the building history, flood or indoor leak. If it is concluded that mold is present, the source of the moisture problem must be fixed before removing the mold. Mold detection requires trained professionals because they have the tools and knowledge to know what to look for.

Mold fact #10: New homes are susceptible to mold growth. The rush to make quick money and profits by real estate developers has created major susceptibility to mold growth in new homes built today. The season that the home is built is also a factor and during rainy periods, foundations not properly dried before installing insulation and vapour barriers, moisture trapped behind walls. Today, cost conscious builders use Orient Strands Boards (OSB) and particle boards which are porous and susceptible to mold growth. According to the MOLDY documentary at least 50% of homes and 85% of commercial properties have water damage and toxic mold (fungus) issues.