What to Expect From a Mold Inspection in California

mold inspection

Mold Inspection 101 For Residents From Sacramento to San Diego 

Every instance of mold growth in homes from Sacramento to San Diego is unique thanks to a wide range of variable components, making a mold inspection is so crucial. With over 100,000 species of mold identified so far, the specific type of mold in a home varies.¹’² Some species of mold can produce microscopic toxins called mycotoxins, making this another harmful particle in a home.³ Depending on the source of the water event, bacteria may be an additional contaminant existing alongside the mold colony.  

The source leading to an indoor mold colony also differs. With a mold spore only needing two main components (food and water) to transition into a flourishing colony, the growth itself could occur anywhere.⁴’⁵ It could be inside of a wall in a Sacramento home, or inside of an attic and the basement in a San Diego home. 

The purpose of a mold inspection is to give that unique story of what’s going on inside of a home. Without this detailed assessment, attempting to create a safe indoor environment would be like trying to find a light switch in the dark. For those hypersensitive to mold or who have underlying conditions, guesswork and hoping for the best just won’t cut it.

Why a Mold Inspection Is Such a Big Deal, Whether in SoCal or NorCal  

For the duration that mold grows, it continues to release microscopic spores into the surrounding area. As mentioned earlier, mycotoxins and bacteria may also be present as well, adding additional contamination to the space. When this event occurs indoors, most of those particles remain trapped within the walls of the home. For hypersensitive individuals and those with underlying conditions, having a home in SoCal or NorCal with this situation is a nightmare. ⁶’⁷

Thanks to their small size, not only are these particles inhalable, but they’re also ingestible and absorbable.⁸’⁹’¹⁰ The more time spent in a contaminated environment, whether in a SoCal or NorCal home, the higher the volume of particles that are able to make their way inside of the body. While the immune system will attempt to keep up with ridding the body of these foreign invaders, it can eventually get overrun and malfunction, leading to a long list of adverse health reactions and opening the door to autoimmune conditions such as Lyme, Epstein-Barr, and CIRS. 

A mold inspection is needed to determine the variables that are necessary to ensure the environment once again becomes a safe space for these hypersensitive individuals. Should contamination remain or a second hidden mold colony be left behind, that home will not be a safe living space and can perpetuate those chronic symptoms.

What to Expect From a Mold Inspection in San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and Beyond

Knowing what to expect from a mold inspection, whether it’s for a home in San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or any home in California, is important not only to ensure the indoor environment is a safe space but also to save money. For those who are mold sensitive, a home that’s filled with contaminated air and surfaces is an environment that can allow for chronic illness. Unfortunately, not all mold inspectors are created equal, so it’s important to choose a professional that prioritizes your health, has a proven track record for helping hypersensitive individuals, and is as thorough as possible. 

For homeowners in San Francisco, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, or any home in California looking for a mold inspection, here’s what you should always anticipate. 

Duration 

A mold inspection takes time if it’s being done properly. It’s essentially an in-depth analysis of the entirety of the home to see how many problems there are, where they are, and what they are. Any mold inspection that takes less than two hours is not comprehensive enough. Going through an entire home, whether in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or the Bay Area, should take at least three hours, depending on the size of the structure. Sometimes, this process can take upwards of 7-8 hours, and that’s perfectly okay. Whatever it takes to create a clear picture of what’s going on inside the home.

Scope of Testing 

A critical point, particularly for hypersensitive individuals, is to ensure the mold inspection spans the entire home, inside and out. Sometimes the source of mold growth was an issue outside of the home, which created a pathway for water intrusion inside the building. Other areas of interest should include the HVAC system, attic, crawlspace, and every other nook and cranny within the home. An inspection professional can never be too thorough when helping create a safe environment for their client.

Multitude of Testing 

To truly understand what’s going on in a home, a mold inspection should include a variety of testing methods that collectively assemble an expansive set of data. Testing methods can include an infra-camera, moisture meters, and other air sampling tools. Data collected should include components such as types of mold in the home, the presence of mycotoxins and bacteria, and quantities of the contaminants within. 

The results from these tests will help determine what steps are needed to completely remediate the space and get it back into a healthy environment once again. 

Cost 

While it’s always tempting to go for the cheapest option, this type of mold inspection rarely provides the results needed for a remediation protocol that works. For those who are mold sensitive and experiencing the adverse health reactions associated with exposure, the mold inspection that ticks all of the boxes above is the best route to ensure that indoor space is safe once the remediation team leaves. Not to mention, a poor inspection that results in failed remediation will end up costing even more in the long run as the entire process will need to be restarted from the beginning. 

Who Should You Choose for a Mold Inspection in California?

Those of us at The Mold Guy know exactly what’s at stake for our hypersensitive clients. We value your health, which led us to develop a thorough mold inspection protocol that we implement for each home. Every component mentioned above is one we include in every single mold inspection completed in homes across California. 

Our process incorporates in-depth learning, investigation, testing, and analysis, which all come together to help us form an action plan to aid the remediation team in their effort to decontaminate the home. When we finish, you can rest assured that you have everything you need for the next step in your pursuit of a healthy home.

  1. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Mold. EPA. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/mold.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Basic facts about mold and dampness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm.
  3. Lstiburek, J., Brennan, T., & Yost, N. (2002, January 15). Rr-0208: What you need to know about mold. Building Science Corporation. Retrieved from, https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0208-what-you-need-to-know-about-mold/view.
  4. Tsongas, G. A., & Riordan, F. (2016). Minimum conditions for visible mold growth. ASHRAE Journal, 58(9), 32.
  5. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mycotoxins. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins.
  6. Curtis, L., Lieberman, A., Stark, M., Rea, W., & Vetter, M. (2004). Adverse health effects of indoor molds. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 14(3), 261-274.
  7. Bush, R. K., Portnoy, J. M., Saxon, A., Terr, A. I., & Wood, R. A. (2006). The medical effects of mold exposure. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 117(2), 326-333.
  8. EPA Staff. (n.d.). Exposure Assessment Tools by Routes. EPA. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/expobox/exposure-assessment-tools-routes 
  9. Fisk, W. J., Lei-Gomez, Q., & Mendell, M. J. (2007). Meta-analyses of the associations of respiratory health effects with dampness and mold in homes. Indoor air, 17(4), 284-296.
  10. Wild, C. P., & Gong, Y. Y. (2010). Mycotoxins and human disease: a largely ignored global health issue. Carcinogenesis, 31(1), 71-82.

Finding the Right Mold Inspector in California

mold inspector

The Presence of Mold in Orange County Homes

With over 100,000 species of mold identified so far, this fungus can be found in most areas around the world. Every unique species reproduces by creating microscopic spores that are released into the air and ride that current to wherever it leads, oftentimes right through the doors of Orange County homes.¹’²

A spore only requires two main components to begin growing: food and moisture.³’⁴ Given these elements, all it takes is 24-48 hours for a spore to transition into a thriving colony within Orange County homes.

Their ability to maneuver into nearly any space and the ease with which they can begin growing makes any mold issue in Orange County homes a unique problem that requires in-depth and thorough analysis. The species itself could be toxic, there could be hidden mold problems elsewhere in the home, and other contaminants such as mycotoxins may be present as well.⁵ Every situation is different and for hypersensitive individuals, figuring out what’s actually going on in the home is crucial.

Determining the state of the space and what steps are needed to remediate the home properly requires a qualified mold inspector in California. 

The Importance of the Right Mold Inspector in Los Angeles Homes

Whether in Los Angeles homes or other homes across the state, indoor mold growth can trigger a long list of adverse health reactions, particularly for those who are hypersensitive.⁶’⁷’⁸’⁹ This indoor contaminant can also work in tandem with other autoimmune conditions such as Lyme disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.

The popular misconception that since mold exists everywhere, it can’t cause harm is simply untrue. While every owner of Los Angeles homes encounters a few mold particles throughout the average day, this pales in comparison to the number of particles encountered in a Los Angeles home with mold growth. As the mold continues to grow unchecked in the home, it continues to release spores (and potentially mycotoxins) both into the indoor air and onto surfaces throughout the space. That leads to a high level of foreign particles within the body which can cause the immune system to get overwhelmed and malfunction, triggering that list of symptoms, particularly for hypersensitive individuals.

In order for the body to heal from this exposure, the contamination in any Los Angeles home must be eliminated properly and the source resolved that led to the issue in the first place. To achieve this, a qualified mold inspector in California must come into the home to determine the state of the indoor environment by completing a comprehensive and thorough examination of the space. Unfortunately, not all mold inspectors are aware of the proper procedures necessary to ensure that indoor space once again becomes a healthy, habitable environment for the hypersensitive individuals living inside.

What to Expect From a Mold Inspector in San Diego

Determining the extent of contamination within homes in San Diego or elsewhere requires a detailed process. The individual must determine if any hidden issues are present, what source led to the mold growth, and exactly what contaminants exist within the home.

When looking for a mold inspector, whether in San Diego or other cities in California, make sure to ask a series of questions to assess whether or not they’re right for the job. First and foremost, your health and consideration of your hypersensitivity should be their utmost priority. From there, ask how long their process takes. Expect a minimum of two hours; anything less, and they are likely not performing a thorough and comprehensive inspection.

Asking detailed questions, such as what experience they have in assisting hypersensitive individuals, what their inspection process includes, and if they’ll test for contaminants such as mycotoxins, is also crucial. Any mold inspector in California and the San Diego area should understand the need for the scope of work needed so that the remediation team can come in and use the data and protocol suggestions to create a safe and healthy environment for you and your family.

Which Mold Inspector to Hire for Indoor Mold Growth

When looking for a mold inspector in California, those of us at The Mold Guy are here for you. Our thorough inspection process occurs in a specific set of phases to ensure we create an accurate snapshot of the state of your home. We’ll delve into the building history, spend hours investigating both inside and outside of the home, conduct an extensive series of tests, and walk you through the resulting data and steps we suggest for remediating the home. 

At the end of the day, being the best mold inspector in California is an enormous part of our goal, but our ultimate mission is to help ensure every home in California is a safe environment for those living inside. Everyone deserves to live in a home that promotes their health.

  1. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Mold. EPA. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/mold.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Basic facts about mold and dampness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm.
  3. Lstiburek, J., Brennan, T., & Yost, N. (2002, January 15). Rr-0208: What you need to know about mold. Building Science Corporation. Retrieved from, https://www.buildingscience.com/documents/reports/rr-0208-what-you-need-to-know-about-mold/view.
  4. Tsongas, G. A., & Riordan, F. (2016). Minimum conditions for visible mold growth. ASHRAE Journal, 58(9), 32.
  5. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Mycotoxins. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins.
  6. Curtis, L., Lieberman, A., Stark, M., Rea, W., & Vetter, M. (2004). Adverse health effects of indoor molds. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 14(3), 261-274.
  7. Bush, R. K., Portnoy, J. M., Saxon, A., Terr, A. I., & Wood, R. A. (2006). The medical effects of mold exposure. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 117(2), 326-333
  8. Fisk, W. J., Lei-Gomez, Q., & Mendell, M. J. (2007). Meta-analyses of the associations of respiratory health effects with dampness and mold in homes. Indoor air, 17(4), 284-296.
  9. Wild, C. P., & Gong, Y. Y. (2010). Mycotoxins and human disease: a largely ignored global health issue. Carcinogenesis, 31(1), 71-82.

Alternaria Was Found in My Body… Now What?

Alternaria mold

One of the molds that shows up frequently in results is Alternaria. Individuals with extreme hypersensitivities, asthma and a debilitated immune systems, are generally helpless against Alternaria mold. A few of the regular side effects that occur once you have been exposed to this sort of mold include a runny nose, hacking, wheezing, weakness, cerebral pain, throat disturbance, and watery eyes. Others may feel irritation of the skin and consistent rashes.It is generally essential to speak with your primary care physician on the chance that you notice any of these side effects.

Alternaria is a mold that requires very little moisture to grow. It requires minimal moisture to grow. Alternaria is commonly found on carpets, clothing, basements, windows, and doors.

Most harmful indoor mold growth starts with dust, dander, and moisture. This means regularly dusting and vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum to eliminate dust and dirt. Furthermore, keeping damp places like the bathrooms, kitchen, and basement clean and dry.

Another important way to keep the home mold free is regulating the humidity levels. In order to best track and control indoor humidity, we recommend purchasing a hygrometer and dehumidifier. In fact, many dehumidifiers contain a built-in hygrometer, allowing you to easily measure and maintain a healthy level of humidity.

Although one can treat mold allergies with homeopathic solutions, there are preventative measures to take to keep a mold-free home. With our knowledgeable mold inspections, we are dedicated to helping residents fight back against mold.

The information contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent a health diagnosis, therapeutic recommendation or prescription for treatment. We urge you to consult and obtain medical advice from a licensed, trained, and competent medical provider for concerns with health issues.

Resources:

Exposure to Alternaria alternata in US homes is associated with asthma symptoms

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080575/

Platts-Mills TA. Allergen avoidance. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;113:388–91. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Sterling DA, Lewis RD. Pollen and fungal spores indoor and outdoor of mobile homes. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1998;80:279–85. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Is Aspergillus Black Mold or Common Mold?

Is Aspergillus Black Mold or Common Mold?

Aspergillus can be considered a common indoor mold as it includes a few hundred different species. Depending on the species they can grow in a variety of places including walls, ceilings, crawlspaces, sub flooring, HVAC systems and more. Its spores are generally dispersed through the air and can impact individuals with compromised immune systems.

However, certain Aspergillus species can give off harmful mycotoxins, MVOC (microbial volatile organic compound) gasses, and other potentially harmful byproducts.

For example, Aspergillus niger, is one of the most abundant species of Aspergillus in nature as it can grow on a large variety of substances. Aspergillus niger can even grow in environments with very little nutrients or water available. In houses it is often found growing on damp walls.

One of the scariest parts about Aspergillus niger, is its ability to grow humans in the lungs causing aspergillosis (a serious lung disease) and otomycosis (a fungal ear infection). Aspergillus niger is known to cause lung infections by producing a mycotoxin called Gliotoxin.

Another species of Aspergillus is Aspergillus flavus. It produces a carcinogenic mycotoxin, aflatoxin.After Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus is the second most common Aspergillus mold to affect humans.

Aspergillus fumigatus causes infection in humans more often than any other Aspergillus species. People who handle or who are exposed extensively to Aspergillus fumigatus often develop hypersensitivity to it so eventually they develop severe allergic reactions to the mold.

Prolonged exposure can lead to these health symptoms:

  • Headaches, trouble sleeping, itching, rashes, fatigue, sneezing and coughing.

  • Asthmatic symptoms

  • Aspergillus can grow in human tissue. Those with weakened immune systems are susceptible to this growth, which can be fatal.

Exposure to mold and mycotoxins can have serious health implications. Diseases and health symptoms linked to mycotoxins include fever, pneumonia-like symptoms, heart disease, rheumatic disease, asthma, sinusitis, cancer, memory loss, vision loss, chronic fatigue, skin rashes, depression, ADHD, anxiety, liver damage, and more.

All molds, regardless of type, should be removed from the home or work environment to ensure the safety of all occupants. However, sometimes evidence of mold growth isn’t visible to the eye.

If you notice a distinctive, heavy musty odor, then that is a sign of mold growth which requires a professional mold inspection.  However, this odor may not always be present, that is why in any case where water infiltrates the building it is important to act right away. Additionally, any signs of past water damage can be an indication a mold problem exists.

We are an industry leader in mold testing and black mold testing in commercial, residential, schools, hospitals and hotels. We send all samples to a third party accredited lab to provide you with the most accurate and fast results possible.

The information contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent a health diagnosis, therapeutic recommendation or prescription for treatment. We urge you to consult and obtain medical advice from a licensed, trained, and competent medical provider for concerns with health issues.

Resources:

https://www.bioidea.net/resources/a-man-killed-by-mold-spores-of-aspergillus/

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/infections/Pages/Aspergillosis.aspx

Mold and Mycotoxins: Diagnosis and Treatment 2016 by Neil Nathan, MD,

www.moldsensitized.com

https://paradigmchange.me/wp/fire/

 

The HLA Gene and How It’s Affecting 25% of Us

The HLA Gene

Proteins are the building blocks for everything in your body. Bones and teeth, hair and earlobes, muscles and blood, are all made up of proteins. Those proteins help our bodies grow, work properly, and stay healthy. As well as determining characteristics such as eye and hair colour, genes can also directly cause the risk of developing a wide range of medical conditions.

Up until now, it’s been set up that generally 25% of the population is a carrier (and sufferer) of the HLA-DR gene. That is more than 80 million individuals in the United States. Hereditary investigations on specific populations  currently propose that the genuine number could be anywhere in the range of 40% and 60% around the world!

Carriers of the HLA-DR (human leukocyte antigen) gene are prone to develop chronic health issues involving systemic inflammation, whether the cause is mold, Lyme disease/ other tick borne illnesses , gluten, or countless other catalysts. HLA-DR makes a person helpless against biotoxin sickness, it additionally makes detoxification very difficult .

If you happen to have the dreaded moldy genes, there will be an increased response from your innate immune system when it identifies molds or mycotoxins. The innate immune system is the initial defense from injury and infection. The innate system fires rapid inflammatory responses to foriegn invaders. The vast majority of those experiencing Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) have the HLA DR/DQ genetic mutation. In these cases, the adaptive immune system is unable to work properly. The adaptive immune system clones receptors to bind to antigen presenting cells. This basically is the defense against extracellular microbes and their toxins, like mycotoxins. This leaves your body stuck fighting mold and mycotoxins with solely it’s innate immune system.

Symptoms can vary from person to person however, these are of the most most common toxic mold symptoms:

  • Extreme fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Memory problems
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Weakness
  • Muscle aches
  • Light sensitivity
  • Chronic cough
  • Sinus issues
  • Vertigo
  • Metallic taste in the mouth
  • Static shocks
  • Sugar cravings
  • Inability to regulate temperature
  • Digestive issues
  • Excessive thirst and frequent urination
  • Headaches

In addition to chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), mycotoxin exposure has been connected with chronic fatigue and other illnesses including allergies, asthma, mast activation cell syndrome, mitochondrial disease, pulmonary diseases, and certain rhinosinusitis.

Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, found there are several different HLA types in humans that make some more susceptible to biotoxins than others.  The being said, a toxin is a toxin, it only takes a small amount to cause an immune response or disease. No one is immune from the effects of a toxin.  It is just that some can become sicker quicker with a smaller amount.

To find out if you are a carrier with the HLA – DR gene there’s a blood test one can get called  HLA DR typing. The word “antigen” shows up both in Human Leukocyte ANTIGEN and in the definition of toxin.  In very simple terms, an antigen is a molecule which can produce an immunologic response in the body. So HLA, are sets of genes having something to do with human immune responses and biotoxins are living organisms that cause having an immune response when present at low concentrations in the body.

Mold-Illness is a real health problem. If any of the symptoms listed above sound familiar talk to your doctor and get tested. While taking preventative measures to reduce potential exposure can be effective, it’s so important to be in touch with your surroundings, and link your environment with your health. If you’re unsure of the safety of your environment please connect us today for more information.

The information contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent a health diagnosis, therapeutic recommendation or prescription for treatment. We urge you to consult and obtain medical advice from a licensed, trained, and competent medical provider for concerns with health issues.

References:

https://www.survivingmold.com/diagnosis/lab-tests

https://www.mygenefood.com/blog/mold-genes/

https://rawlsmd.com/health-articles/mold-mycotoxins-making-sick

https://www.vinehealthcare.com/2017/06/13/jump-start-body-pemf/

https://www.vinehealthcare.com/2017/10/10/gas-isnt-bad-thing-ozone-need-know/

 

How to Protect Your Air Quality from the Coronavirus

Air Quality

The new coronavirus, COVID-19, has the attention of the entire world. This virus has spread rapidly since the outbreak began in China in December 2019. With headlines warning us of travel bans, cancelled conferences, and school closures, we have to ask, is there something we are missing to prevent the spread within our own indoor environment?

There are different kinds of coronaviruses, most of which only cause mild symptoms and illness, such as a cold. According to the World Health Organization, common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.  We do not know what caused this novel coronavirus (COVID-19), but research is being carried out to find its original source. So how can we combat this new deadly flu? The CDC and the WHO have both stated that washing your hands frequently and steering clear from carriers will be enough, however as more cases are popping up, new precautions are surfacing.

It’s no mystery that the air inside our homes, offices and buildings we enter may be  contaminated. What if the building is ‘sick’ and harboring more than just the Coronavirus?

According to the EPA, 50% of residential buildings and 80% of commercial buildings both have water damage, which is the breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and black mold. The particulates produced by molds (mycotoxins) have been medically labeled as more dangerous to human health than mold spores themselves. Once inhaled, Mycotoxins  can have serious health implications. Black mold symptoms can mimic the flu and worsen pre-existing conditions like Asthma, Auto-immune Diseases, and more.

The reality is bacteria, molds, viruses, and toxins are living and thriving in our homes. Unfortunately, no matter how much cleaning products you use to prevent organic materials from growing, it continues to, from the top to the very bottom of your house.

Air purifier technology today operates  at a high capacity, high efficiency, and ability to clear the air of potential viruses, mold and dangerous particulates. Mold Air Purifiers  approach to air treatment is to strategically combine these technologies and applications in a way that leverages their strengths, and minimizes their weaknesses.

To help reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus, cleaning the air in the room is a great step towards warding off the virus.. Installing an adequate ventilation system can ensure that the air exchange is adequate, but pollutants that are outside can still enter the room. The best way to stop viruses in the air is to install an air purifier. Choose an air purifier that is able to filter out 99.9 percent of pollutants as small as 0.1 micron, including H1N1, an earlier strain of coronavirus similar to 2019-nCoV.

Michael Rubino, President and an indoor air quality expert with All American Restoration, stated. “There are air purification technologies that can destroy biological contaminants such as mold spores and viruses (such as H1N1 & SARS),” he said. “However, the technology is not just HEPA; air purifiers that utilize Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) release ions into the air that bind to these contaminants and destroy them. There are certain air purifiers that utilize filtration in addition to PCO, such as Air Oasis iAdapt Air.”

There are three phases of air treatment filtration, purification, and sanitization.

Filtration’s job is to capture contaminants and ultra fine particles from the air. It is the part of air cleaning known as a REACTIVE procedure. It’s a reactive process because it requires contaminants and ultra fine particles to come to it, rather than proactively going out to discover and destroy them. This means that these particles need to airborne and get caught in the air stream created by the filter unit to be removed.

Purification’s job is to eliminate organic contaminants (like mold, microorganisms, bacteria and viruses) from both the air and on surfaces. While filtration gets contaminants out of the air and holds them until you replace the filter, purification basically destroys them by binding to the contaminant causing them to explode. Purification is the process called a PROACTIVE procedure. Ions leave the unit destroying mold and other organic contaminants. It doesn’t make a difference where the contaminants are found. Throughout the air, on surfaces, these ions can destroy where filters cannot.

The sanitization procedure utilizes similar ions that are made to remove ultra fine in-organic particulate from the air. Sanitization is both REACTIVE and PROACTIVE. The ions attach to these contaminants, making them bigger and heavier. This causes the ultra fine particles that are too small to be captured by the filter, become large enough to for the filter to trap.

There are several units here with the technology that utilize Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) releasings ions into the air that bind to these contaminants and destroy them.

While taking preventative measures to reduce potential exposure can be effective, it’s so important to be in touch with your surroundings, and link your environment with your health. If you’re unsure of the safety of your environment please connect us today for more information.

The information contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent a health diagnosis, therapeutic recommendation or prescription for treatment. We urge you to consult and obtain medical advice from a licensed, trained, and competent medical provider for concerns with health issues.

Resources:

https://moldairpurifiers.com/curated-collections/

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-updates.html

Contact A Public Adjuster First Before You Call Insurance

Public Adjuster

Contact A Public Adjuster First Before You Call Insurance

If your mold problem is adding up to a lot of damage, and the  insurance company is dragging their feet, then it may be in your best interest to hire a public adjuster who can ensure you get fair treatment. There’s a lot of variables on mold claims, and plenty of things can be open to interpretation. This gives insurance companies an easy way to deny your claim.

Working with a team of experts employed directly by you is always in your best interest when it comes to mold. However, knowing which direction to go first is a very gray area. Insurance policies often include vague wording regarding mold coverage, and it can be difficult to determine whether any mold damage you encounter will be covered. Typically, policies exclude coverage for mold damage, except when the mold is the result of a covered loss, such as water damage. Insurance company representatives often quote the policy exclusions for mold even when coverage may exist for your mold damage.

So, who’s number do you call first?

Determining the extent of the damage is your number one priority. Hiring  a certified mold inspector will breakdown how far the damage may go behind your walls and more. After your home’s assessed, it is best to call a public adjuster to make sure you are getting the maximum coverage  of your mold claim.

Here are some examples of when calling a public adjuster is makes sense:

  • Filing A Claim for The First Time – While it is usually a homeowners first thought to go straight to their homeowner insurance company right away to make their claim, we strongly suggest that you call a public adjuster instead. Your insurance company has experienced adjusters who’ll visit your property to do a damage assessment, but they’re generally looking to pay out as little as possible. The reality is, they’re looking out for the insurance company’s interests, and what they can save in payouts adds to their overall bottom line. A public adjuster works for you, NOT the insurance company, and will work to get you the largest possible insurance settlement for repairing your property.

  • Underpaid By Their Insurance Companies – Often times insurance companies will quote your settlement well below the costs of repair. Why do they do this? So that they can save money — even though their job is to save you money.

  • Denied Outright for Their Claim – While it might seem terrible to be underpaid for a claim by your insurance company, it is even worse to be denied outright. If an insurance company doesn’t see the mold damages to your home as worthy of repairs, they will deny your claim, leaving you with damaged property.

Mold testing is a necessity to set the appropriate remediation protocol and before contacting your insurance company. Once the protocol is written, a remediation contractor will follow this document to put the most accurate estimate to remediate the mold problem. Your Public Adjuster will advise you on the most effective and precise way to assess and document your mold loss.

Finding the best ways to determine the direction when it comes to mold may seem overwhelming, but with a force of experts to work with, the mold is just a hurdle to overcome.

The information contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent a health diagnosis, therapeutic recommendation or prescription for treatment. We urge you to consult and obtain medical advice from a licensed, trained, and competent medical provider for concerns with health issues.

References:

https://www.napia.com/faq#Why

https://www.uphelp.org/pubs/insurance-claim-tips-mold-damage

Mycotoxins and Gut Health | SIBO

mycotoxins

We are still at the very beginning of what we know about the complex issues that mycotoxins from mold cause to humans. Studies are starting to happen and healthcare practitioners on the cutting edge are learning and passing on what they know. Unfortunately, the majority of traditional healthcare providers in the US are not thoroughly trained on the the effects of mold or they are in denial. There are a handful of doctors and other professionals who are getting the word out and even forming organizations to teach educate the public about mycotoxins, mold and the damage it can do  to the body.

Mold illness, or mold toxicity as it’s often called, can be responsible for autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s and Sjogren’s and brain and hormone dysregulation, endocrine disruption, mood issues, gut issues, fatigue, insomnia, interstitial cystitis, migraines and more. Studies now indicate that exposure to mold may be a major contributor to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Gut health is becoming more and more mainstream and modern medicine advances. It’s fungi—just like bacteria—are a normal part of our gut’s ecosystem. And yet, for many of the same reasons a person might develop SIBO, if your digestive tract isn’t functioning properly, those organisms can overgrow and cause a host of problems. We get into the issue of how to parse out whether your GI symptoms are being caused by a yeast or fungal overgrowth (SIFO), bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or as is often the case BOTH.

SIBO stands for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This is a condition in which the small intestine contains too much of the wrong bacteria. Even though the small intestine is supposed to have some bacteria, in cases of SIBO, bacteria from the large intestine has moved upstream into a section of the small intestine where it should not be.

The small intestine’s main job is to help aid good bacteria to fight against bad bacteria, yeast, help the body absorb nutrients, and produce nutrients and vitamins like vitamin K and folate. The good bacteria helps ensure the contents in the gut move through the intestines properly.

Mycotoxins can damage the intestinal villi. Intestinal villi are small, finger-like projections that extend into the small intestine. They increase the surface area of the intestine and provide more pathways for nutrient absorption. Trichothecenes and ochratoxins degrade intestinal villi.  Shortened intestinal villi increases the risk of malnutrition by decreasing surface area available for nutrient absorption.

Environmental mycotoxins, most often sourced from water-damaged buildings, are commonly implicated in chronic mucosal disorders and gut dysfunction. They have been found to directly damage the gut epithelial barrier by disrupting junctional proteins, and encouraging cell death. As pathogenic and commensal microbes translocate across the damaged epithelial barrier, inflammation ensues and further exacerbates the situation. Pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more serious outcomes of exposure to environmental mycotoxins.

Receiving a diagnosis for chronic illness is a shock to the system and not only affects the body, but it also affects the whole person’s emotions. The roadmap to recovery will vary from person to person and by the condition.

If you suspect you have mold in your home please connect with us today.

The information contained on this site is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not represent a health diagnosis, therapeutic recommendation or prescription for treatment. We urge you to consult and obtain medical advice from a licensed, trained, and competent medical provider for concerns with health issues.

Resources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4699716/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466265/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3949258/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2890937/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099351/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24795035

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24891990

The Asbestos of the 2000’s, Black Mold

Asbestos

WHAT THE CDC ISN’T TELLING US, AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.

In 1997, a surge of news reports were flooding the headlines regarding several rare deaths caused by mold illness. The CDC and the EPA both responded by shutting down the supposed conspiracy theories surrounding the suspicious causes of deaths. Years later, a flurry of reports came in regarding a similar string of deaths again citing mold toxicity. Yet these headlines are not getting the attention they should be.

It began in Cleveland, Ohio at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Dr. Dorr Dearborn noticed a pattern between infant patients and started piecing together what was causing their symptoms. At first glance, it seemed each patient’s lungs were bleeding for no apparent reason. Bleeding lungs afflict one in four million children, however, Cleveland was seeing one in every thousand babies affected.

That made the incidence rate in Cleveland the highest in the world. Seeing so many cases in one city, all clustered within a six-mile radius of Rainbow Hospital, convinced Dearborn that he had an epidemic on his hands.

“I knew the disease should only affect one in four million,” Dearborn says. “So I called the CDC.”

Ruth Etzel, the CDC’s former chief of air pollution and respiratory health, was on a flight to Cleveland the next day. Dearborn saw two more cases in December, which brought the total number of impacted babies to ten. Records showed that some of the infants had improved in the hospital and been sent home, only to return after suffering subsequent bleeding episodes. This led the researchers to suspect an environmental problem in the home.

When the CDC revealed the supposed link of pulmonary hemosiderosis to black mold in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report in January 1997, a virtual media panic descended on the city. The conducted study had found an association between the ‘black mold ‘Stachybotrys chartarum, also known as Stachybotrys atra, and the infant bleeding-lung disease. Dearborn would need to prove the mold caused the illness in laboratory research or show evidence of mold spores or toxins in the sick babies.

Etzel was researching mycotoxins, and turned up evidence that Stachybotrys had caused hemorrhaging in farm animals in Europe. She returned to Cleveland with a mycologist who found Stachybotrys in five case homes. The excessive rainfall in the summer of 1994 and recurrent plumbing problems contributed to the water damage sustained by some of the case homes, creating a favorable environment for Stachybotrys growth.

Investigators discovered that all the  infants lived in homes older than sixty years, all of which had recent water damage. They found the case infants were more likely to live in homes with larger quantities of Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds than were the control infants.

Driven by concern for the public health and leaks to the press, Dearborn and Etzel went public with their findings in early 1995.

A number of other mold scares had been reported around the country. The Tottenville Branch Library on Staten Island, which had a particularly damp basement, was shut after a staff member had trouble breathing, and Stachybotrys was reportedly found. Panic began to spread and insurance companies joined in the pandemonium.

Fear of lawsuits caused schools, libraries, and other buildings across the country to be closed and cleaned, at great expense, when even small traces of Stachybotrys were found. The mold was responsible for closing a branch of the New York City Library in 1997 and chasing the American Red Cross out of its headquarters in Minneapolis earlier this month. A case in Texas made national headlines when a woman was awarded $32 million after she sued her insurance company because it didn’t cover mold damage claims.Thousands of people were filing suits over toxic mold.

In 1997, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found an apparent link between mold contamination in the homes and cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage.

Stachybotrys chartarum appears slimy and black, possibly with white edges. It looks like any black mold that grows in wet places.Stachybotrys requires water-soaked cellulose material and can produce toxins, called trichothecenes, which are highly dangerous to humans and have been used to produce chemical and biological weapons.

Once inhaled, the toxins are thought to attack the immune system. Studies have shown that adults who have had chronic exposure to Stachybotrys have reported a variety of ailments, including flu symptoms, dermatitis, and fatigue. The effect on infants, as suggested by the Cleveland study, seems much more severe, because their lungs are still developing. The Stachybotrys toxins may disrupt the development of the capillary walls, enabling any kind of stress factor, such as a simple cough, to cause the capillaries to rupture and the lungs to bleed.

One question, in particular, which researchers could not answer with any degree of certainty, has also become a chief criticism: Stachybotrys is common in water-damaged buildings throughout the country, so why has this cluster of rare, unexplained lung bleeding occurred only in Cleveland? The answer is, it wasn’t and it’s still ongoing.

One of the most troubling aspects of the controversy is the reluctance of the CDC to reveal any information about its review of the Cleveland study or its position on whether it still believes that unexplained pulmonary hemosiderosis is linked to the black mold. The CDC did not set up interviews with any of its staff experts, despite repeated calls to the agency’s press office over a two-week period and discussions with three different spokespeople. Calls to CDC epidemiologist, who was reportedly on the review committee, were not returned.

In 2002, the U.S. International Trade Commission reported that according to one estimate, US insurers paid over $3 billion in mold-related lawsuits, more than double the previous year’s total.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2003 there were over 10,000 mold-related lawsuits pending in US state courts. Most were filed in states with high humidity, but suits were on the rise in other states as well. By 2004, many mold litigation settlements were for amounts well past $100,000. In 2005, the U.S. International Trade Commission reported that toxic mold showed signs of being the “new asbestos” in terms of claims paid. However, in 2007 laws began to change.

Farmers Insurance, for instance, has said that it will stop selling new homeowner’s policies that include water-damage coverage. In addition, it has asked the Department of Insurance to allow the company to exclude mold damage from its policies entirely, even mold that results from a covered event.

23 years later, deaths and cover-ups are still ongoing. Mysteries seem to stir around the investigations started, the findings and conclusions of the mold epidemic.

Respiratory disorders are the most common of all mold illnesses. That’s because tiny mold spores easily become airborne and then can be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity. Some of the lung problems caused by mold, other than pulmonary hemorrhage, include:

  • Shortness of breath

  • Wheezing

  • Coughing

  • Respiratory infections, including pneumonia and bronchitis

  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (a lung disease similar to bacterial pneumonia)

  • Worsening of symptoms in people with asthma

  • Development of asthma-like symptoms in people not previously diagnosed with the condition

  • Other Mold Illnesses

Other health problems sometimes caused by exposure to household mold include:

  • Headaches, migraines

  • Chronic sinus infections

  • Allergic reactions

  • Sore throat

  • Runny nose or stuffed up nose

  • Red, itchy, watery eyes

  • Skin rashes

  • Chronic fatigue

  • Depression

A flood of reports trickle through media and then fall in between cracks just like the initial 1997 reports from Dr. Dearborn. Cases of severe lung infections, damages, personal injury, pulmonary hemorrhages, and even death have been ongoing.

In 2003, a physician whose name remains anonymous released her case that connected mold and pulmonary hemorrhage.

In 2001, a jury awarded a couple and their eight-year-old son $2.7 million, plus attorney’s fees and costs, in a toxic mold-related personal injury lawsuit against the owners and managers of their apartment in Sacramento, California.

In 2003, The Tonight Show co-host Ed McMahon received $7.2 million from insurers and others to settle his lawsuit alleging that toxic mold in his Beverly Hills home made him and his wife ill and killed their dog. That same year environmental activist Erin Brockovich received settlements of $430,000 from two parties and an undisclosed amount from a third party to settle her lawsuit alleging toxic mold in her Agoura Hills, California, home.

In 2004, the Institute of Medicine released a report finding evidence of a link between certain species of mold exposure and severe respiratory illnesses. A later review of research conducted by the World Health Organization reached the same conclusion, and called attention to findings that mold exposure appears to lead to an increase in the chances of children developing and dying from asthma.

In 2006, a Manhattan Beach, California family received a $22.6 million settlement in a toxic mold case. The family had asserted that that moldy lumber had caused severe medical problems in their child. That same year, Hilton Hotels received $25 million in settlement of its lawsuit over mold growth in the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Kalia Tower.

In 2010, a jury awarded $1.2 million in damages in a lawsuit against a landlord for neglecting to repair a mold-infested house in Laguna Beach, California. The lawsuit asserted that a child in the home suffered from severe respiratory problems for several years as a result of the mold.

In 2011, in North Pocono, Pennsylvania, a jury awarded two homeowners $4.3 million in a toxic mold verdict.

Between October 2014 and January 2017, five mold-infection-related deaths occurred at two UPMC hospitals. Several related lawsuits have been filed against the hospital system, which settled with two of the patients for $1.35 million each.

In 2019, Months after a mold infection killed a pediatric patient at Seattle Children’s Hospital, its CEO has revealed that fourteen patients have become ill from the same infection since 2001. The hospital shuttered eleven operating rooms twice, first in May and again this month, after it detected the common mold Aspergillus in the air. As of February 2020, seven of the fourteen patients have passed away.

Mold exposure represents a major public health issue worldwide. Yet, the CDC still states that mold is not serious and should not be tested.

According to the World Health Organization, 7 million deaths per year are linked to indoor and outdoor air pollution. For years, people complaining about the effects of living or working in damp, mold-filled environments has not been taken seriously. Nothing is scarier than knowing something is making you and your family sick, and not being able to figure out what it is. The anxiety caused by an unseen danger like toxic mold can feel overwhelming.

There is currently no standard for indoor air quality, meaning, there’s no safe and unsafe levels of mold. Both the EPA and the CDC advise against testing seemingly because they are unwilling to set a baseline of limitations for indoor mold that can affect insurance companies bottom lines. It’s time for both of these organizations to change this.

The CDC needs to reopen it’s investigation and reconsider this as a serious public health concern. To put an end to these preventable deaths the following link is a petition to for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to finally set a federal standard for indoor molds in medical facilities.

Please sign this petition if you want to have indoor air quality standards.

[See a history of publications: History Of Mold 1837 – 2001]

Resources:

Sprouse A. Integrative Sexual Health, Chapter 10, Toxins: A Pervasive 21st-Century Problem for Health and Sexuality. Oxford University Press. March 14, 2018. (Sprouse treatment: mold avoidance, infusions of intravenous nutrients, sauna detoxification, heavy metal chelation).

U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, with the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois. Toxicologic and Analytical Studies with T-2 and Related Trichothecene Mycotoxins (3-year study on the inhalation effects of mycotoxins). August 20, 1985, Contract No. DAMD17-82-C-2179.

World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality – Dampness and Mould. http://www.who.int/indoorair/publications/7989289041683/en/. Published 2009.

 Ammann HM. Indoor Mold Contamination–a Threat to Health? J Environ Health. 2002;64(6):43.

 Ammann HM. Indoor Mold Contamination–a Threat to Health? Part Two. J Environ Health. 2003 Sep 1;66(2):47.

Daschner A. An Evolutionary-Based Framework for Analyzing Mold and Dampness-Associated Symptoms in DMHS. Front Immunol. January 2017;7(672). https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2016.00672.

McMahon SW, Hope JH, Thrasher JD, Rea WJ, Vinitsky AR, Gray MR. Global Indoor Health Network (GIHN). Common Toxins in Our Homes, Schools and Businesses. December 17, 2012. (This 2012 position statement by GIHN has been replaced with new papers on individual topics.)

 International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI). https://iseai.org.

Weblinks:

https://realtimelab.com/mold-statistics/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC145304/

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2005/1001/p1253.html

https://www.cdc.gov/mold/pdfs/hemorrhage_report.pdf

http://www.asthmacommunitynetwork.org/system/files/webinar/pdf/HHDeck_3_18_13.pd

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC145304/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1566217/pdf/envhper00520-0107.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1566692/pdf/envhper00516-0113.pdf

https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/article/84/2/408/1692272

https://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/health-answers/mold-and-a-misdiagnosis-that-could-leave-you-breathless/

Taking a Sip of Mold

Taking a Sip of Mold

Taking A Sip Of Mold

Morning coffee is a ritual for 107 million American’s who are unaware of what is lurking in their cup. Unfortunately, multiple studies have confirmed that over 45% of coffees and coffee brands contain significant amounts of mold toxins. So, is that sip of coffee in the morning worth it?

Many countries set strict limits for mycotoxins in foods, including coffee. The US has no standards for coffee. The EU, South Korea, Singapore, and even China, all set limits at economically feasible levels of mycotoxins. But, what is a feasible level of mycotoxins? Mycotoxins are neurotoxins that can cause an array of devastating symptoms. These symptoms can vary based on the individuals immune system as well as a person’s genetics.

There’s quite a few reasons how mold ends up in coffee. First, where coffee is grown is often in a tropical, wet climate which is where molds thrive. The warmer and wetter the climate, the greater the variety of mold types. Coffee beans then become susceptible to the disease-causing secondary metabolites known as mycotoxins.

A mycotoxin called Ochratoxin A (OTA), is the most common in coffee beans. Ochratoxin A causes oxidative stress in the body, which impairs mitochondrial function, and disrupts protein synthesis. This can lead to a number of troubling symptoms like memory problems, brain fog, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, night sweats, dizziness, and even hair loss. Unfortunately, for coffee drinkers, OTA is more common than one may believe:

  • 33% of samples of green coffee beans from Brazil had low levels of ochratoxin A (Trusted Source).

  • 45% of coffee brews from commercially available coffee beans contained ochratoxin A (Trusted Source).

  • Aflatoxins have been found in green coffee beans, the highest level in decaffeinated beans. Roasting reduced the levels by 42–55% (Trusted Source).

  • 27% of roast coffees contained ochratoxin A, but much higher amounts were found in chili (Trusted Source).

Over time, Ochratoxin A can damage your DNA and significantly compromise the immune system, potentially leading to liver cancer, kidney cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. In fact, the U.S. government even recognizes Ochratoxin A to be a possible carcinogen, so it is best to steer clear of this mycotoxin altogether!

Avoiding mold in coffee is near impossible, so discovering the right brands that takes mycotoxins seriously is key. Dr. Jill Carnahan references her favorite brand of organic coffee that tests for mycotoxins in coffee beans. Another great choice is Dave Aspery’s Bulletproof coffee which is grown in high elevation to eliminate the risk of mold growth.

References:

Is There Mold in Your Coffee? When Mycotoxins Matters

Dave Aspery Talks Mold In Coffee

Coffee Standards

Mold is a Carcinogen