Is Mold in My Car Making Me Sick?

Is Mold in My Car Making Me Sick?

IS MOLD IN MY CAR MAKING ME SICK?

Mold can live in many places on plants, and on the dead or rotting matter. The presence of mold in a car can cause health responses when exposure occurs. Once inhaled, particles can affect the heart and lungs and in some cases cause serious health effects. Many studies directly link the size of particles to their potential for causing health problems. 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.

The reality is that it takes a very minimal amount of moisture for mold to grow and only a few days for it to colonize. However, when mold grows in a car it can be a real pain to get rid of and can even destroy the interior of a vehicle. But what is worse is when you start to feel sick inside your car, leading you to wonder, is mold in car making me sick? So, how does mold get into your car in the first place? Here are a few common ways:

Moisture control is the way to mold control. Molds need both nourishment and water to get by; since molds can process most things, water is the factor that breaking points mold development. Molds will frequently develop in moist or wet regions inside. Water intrusion can come in many forms such as:

  • High Relative humidity

  • Leaky window

  • Flood

  • Roof Leak

  • Condensation

  • Ice Damming

To prevent mold in the future is all about controlling moisture. Moisture control is the way to mold control. Molds need both nourishment and water to get by; since molds can process most things, water is the factor that breaking points mold development. This can act as a double-edged sword, if there is already a mold problem. Mold becomes dormant with no active water source. Then, the colony will roll in and out of active stages with just humidity in the air. Mold is all about source removal. Removing water without removing the mold can make the problem worse.

If the source of the mold problem is not fixed mold remediation can be performed but it is likely for the growth to recur. Furthermore, these water issues can cause additional problems in the environment such as structural damage, insect infestation and bacteria overgrowth. This is why it is very important to hire an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) at any sign of mold or water damage and prior to any clean up being performed.

References:

Mercedes-Benz agrees to massive settlement after mold found growing in HVAC systems

Mold In The Car

How To Clean Out A Moldy Car

Linking Mold, Depression, and Anxiety

Irreversible HVAC Contamination

Linking Mold, Depression, and Anxiety

Recently, emerging evidence between depression, anxiety,  and environmental factors has surfaced. Exposure to mold is most commonly associated with allergies and asthma. However, it is now thought to be associated with many complex health problems, since black mold species such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Stachybotrys. These black molds produce mycotoxins that are toxic to central parts of the body, including the brain.

When the environmental conditions are right and toxic black molds begin to grow, they produce by-products that are released from the growth area, they include MVOCs, Spores, and Mycotoxins. Many mycotoxins are neurotoxins causing lesions in the brain in the grey matter and the white matter. This directly affects the frontal cortex, cause dopamine dysfunction which can create psychological disorders like anxiety or depression. These disorders occurs when the nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine are slowly destroyed. Without dopamine, the nerve cells in that part of the brain cannot properly send messages.

Brown University conducted a series of cases linking mold, anxiety, and depression back in 2007. This was a large study, analyzing data from 5,882 adults in 2,982 households. Molds are toxins, and some research has indicated that these toxins can affect the nervous system or the immune system or impede the function of the frontal cortex, the part of the brain that plays a part in impulse control, memory, problem solving, sexual behavior, socialization and spontaneity.

About 40% of the residents lived in visibly damp, moldy households, and overall their risk for depression averaged 34–44% higher than that for residents of mold-free dwellings, with moderate exposure associated with the highest increase in risk.

To further demonstrate the link between mold and depression, one can also look at actual testimonials of individuals that have suffered from mold illnesses. In 2015, Wonder Makers Environmental, a Michigan based environmental company, launched a website, www.moldsensitized.com, dedicated to educating restoration contractors, physicians, and patients about mold. One of the goals of the website was to interview toxic mold survivors and record their answers to a series of questions.

One of the common themes in each interview was the sense of hopelessness and depression that they all felt because of the chronic exposure to the mold. Mold does affect one’s brain and continued exposure to mold contributes to symptoms of depression. These are some of the symptoms reported by survivors, whose brains were impacted:

“My ears were ringing and it felt as if my head was about to explode.” (Sandy Wolfe: Mold Survivor)

“I had anxiety, brain fog, memory and cognition problems, difficult concentrating and speaking.” (Beth Jarret: Mold Survivor)

“I developed chronic headaches and migraines, fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, memory issues, and mood swings.” (Mary DeBoer: Mold Survivor)

Mold toxicity can manifest with so many different and diverse symptoms, that it is frequently misdiagnosed. Respiratory side effects, for example, wheezing, hacking, watery eyes, and skin disturbance are the transcendent indications. Mold is likewise known to cause asthma and dangerous essential and auxiliary contaminations in resistant traded off patients that have been uncovered. Harmful toxic mold exposure has been connected to increasingly genuine, long haul impacts like memory loss, sleeping disorders, anxiety, depression, and nerve damage. Research is still underway for neurological dysfunction and environmental toxins.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2072855/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070829162815.htm

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

www.moldsensitized.com

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

Find Your Doctor, Get Out Of The Cycle

doctor

Find Your Doctor, Get Out Of The Cycle

You may recognize cycle. You’ve been sick for some time now. Going from over-the-counter help, to different specialists with odd symptoms that no one, not even doctors, seem to understand. The question you constantly ask is, why am I feeling this way, and how do I go back to my old self? You visit countless doctors who send you for several tests that all turn up normal, yet you’re symptoms are now much worse than before. This is a vicious series anyone with an ‘invisible’ illness knows, and knows it well. Unfortunately, with internal symptoms there’s no way to easily pinpoint what could be causing your illness. These intense workups can be exhausting, and it almost seems like you’ll never solve the mystery of why you feel besides yourself.

Filtering out the possibilities can lead you down a web rabbit hole, leaving you with more questions than answers. It’s possible that there could be one variable no doctor, or you have considered though, your environment. Environmental illness are becoming increasing more and more common and the list of symptoms are growing. With a variety of symptoms so similar to others, it’s no wonder mold illness goes under the radar.

  • Aches and pains

  • Changes in mood

  • Headaches

  • Memory loss

  • Nosebleeds

  • Allergy and irritation

  • Runny or blocked nose

  • Watery, red eyes

  • Dry cough

  • Skin rashes

  • Sore throat

  • Sinusitis

  • Wheezing

  • Losing your hair

  • Anxiety

  • Confusion or memory loss

  • Numbness in hands and feet

  • Stomach pains

  • Sensitivity to light

  • Gaining weight for no reason

  • Muscle cramps

Finding the answer may seem impossible after years of never knowing the pieces to solving the puzzle, however, we’ve created a guide for those who may be in this expensive and painful loop. You’ll first need to use our best friend in the 21st century, the internet. With so many medical practitioners claiming to know how to treat mold patients, it is hard to know who to choose.

Find someone who knows your symptoms.

You know your symptoms best, and having someone who understands them will help you feel more recognized. You’d be surprised how many different specialists treat the same symptom — depending on its underlying cause. Bouncing from specialist to specialist can be costly, so if you’re not sure which kind of physician specializes in treating your disease or condition (or if you haven’t been diagnosed yet), start with a primary care physician first. (View our list)

Find someone with credibility. 

Check to see whether your doctor is board-certified through the Certification Matters site, which the American Board of Medical Specialties maintains.  According to Certification Matters, “Board-certified primary care doctors have not only met the licensing requirements of their states, but also passed comprehensive exams in internal medicine. Doctors also have to keep up with the latest developments in their fields to maintain their certification, so you can be sure they’re giving you up-to-date advice.”

It’s critical to make sure your doctor’s philosophy of care lines up with your own. 

Every culture has its own customs, ideas and taboos about medical care, so find a doctor who not only speaks your language, but is sensitive to your situation. You’ve already been from doctor to doctor, you want them to view you as a permanent patient, not just a Thursday at 10 am.

Here’s a great list of some of the top mold literate doctors in the nation.

https://themoldguyinc.com/providers

The mold doctors listed here use a wide range of treatment modalities, many of which may not be appropriate for all situations. The information on this page is provided only to give patients a starting point with regard to doing their own due diligence in terms of learning about and interviewing practitioners that might be appropriate for their situations. Please understand that the listing of physicians and other medical practitioners on this page does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by us.

Resources:

https://www.certificationmatters.org/

Black Mold in Your Laundry

black mold

Black Mold in Your Laundry

Mold can cause a host of health problems from asthma, increased susceptibility to flu and colds, and sinus infections. Because mold thrives in damp conditions, it can live in many places around your home like the shower, in carpeting, behind wallpaper, in the basement and surprisingly even in your clothes.

The presence of mold in the laundry room shouldn’t come as a huge surprise to anyone. Mold needs moisture to grow, and there’s a great deal of it involved in cleaning clothes. Dirty laundry doesn’t always equal dry laundry.

The majority of owners neglect to do regular maintenance on their washing machines. In addition, some owners only make matters worse by leaving laundry in the machine hours, sometimes even a day or more, after a wash has been completed. This results in a moldy smell in both washer and clothing. To remove the smell, most will rewash the clothing and leave the lid open between washes, thinking they’ve found the solution for not only what causes ‘mildew’ on clothes but also for how to get rid of mold in their machine. However, what is often overlooked is the fact that mold grows quickly and can thrive off of laundry detergent due to its plant-based (and even animal) components.

If the machine is moldy, it’s easy to understand why your clothes are moldy too. Clothing is made up of fabric fibers that, when combined with water, ends in mold growth. When the mold gets ingrained within the fibers it can permanently damage clothing. Even when the clothing is machined cleaned, the spores often times cannot be completely removed. If the clothes have visible mold growth and appear to be damaged, the best thing would be to dispose of them.

Clothes should be handled with care since certain species of molds that attack clothes, such as species of Aspergillus, are opportunistic pathogens, especially to people with weak immune system. Aspergillus fumigatus, for example, is a common cause of a respiratory problem called invasive aspergillosis. Some molds may not cause infections but can cause strong allergic reactions to sensitive individuals.

Mold typically has the easiest time accumulating in a moist environment. You can reduce your risks by eliminating excess moisture. When you close the door of your front-loading washing machine right after you empty it, you’re essentially trapping the moisture in, creating a suitably wet environment for mold growth. By leaving the door open just a couple of inches after pulling out your clothes, you give the appliance interior an opportunity to air out and dry thoroughly. Maintaining a front load washing machine is just step one.

Inspecting a laundry machine for mold:

1. Check rubber seal

2. Check inside drum

3. Check Soap dispenser

How to prevent mold in a laundry machine:

  1. Leave door open after use,

  2. Clean Machine regularly ( try Afresh washing machine cleaner tablets)

  3. Leave soap dispenser open after use

  4. Clean soap dispenser regularly

Clothes should be kept in a dry environment with adequate ventilation. Relative humidity should be maintained below 50%. Use of dehumidifiers to reduce dampness is recommended. If the clothes are not frequently used, it is important to regularly check for mold infestation.

If you have a front loading washing machine and the inside smells musty or your freshly-washed clothes come out of the washing machine smelling musty, you probably have a front load washer mold. The only way to know for sure, though, is to have your machine tested for mold. Mold is associated with numerous health problems, so it’s best to find out as soon as possible if you have a problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lSdyNmeB78

Resources:

https://www.consumerreports.org/front-load-washers/5-things-to-know-about-front-load-washers/

http://www.theindychannel.com/news/call-6-investigators/lawsuits-many-front-load-washing-machines-contain-hidden-mold

http://classactionsnews.com/consumer/front-loading-washing-machines-class-action-lawsuit

http://wreg.com/2013/08/09/washer-stink-may-bring-new-class-action/

http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/5144-frigidaire-front-load-washer-class-action-lawsuit-gets-certified

Bieber Breaks The Mold

Bieber Breaks The Mold

BIEBER BREAKS THE MOLD

For the Lyme community, a celebrity diagnosis can spark much-needed interest and discussion. Any increase in public awareness is enormously encouraging and might trickle down into a little compassion for the countless “ordinary” people quietly battling Lyme disease every day. 25 year old singer, Justin Bieber, publicity announced yesterday that he is now battling Lyme himself.

Lyme disease symptoms can include:

  • Severe headaches and neck stiffness

  • Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body

  • Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)

  • Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.

  • Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones

  • Heart palpitations or an irregular heart beat (Lyme carditis)

  • Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath

  • Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

  • Nerve pain

  • Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet

“The CDC estimates there are more than 300,000 cases of Lyme infection in the U.S. each year – which is roughly 10 times as many as what is reported. That group of undiagnosed Lyme Disease victims can suffer for years with the disease. You or someone you care about could be one of those victims.“

Those are some shocking statistics. It seems strange that something as seemingly innocuous as a tick, often close in size to a pinhead, could damage someone’s health. Ticks can be very difficult to notice if not actively looking for them. In addition to being quite small, ticks can also secrete saliva with anesthetic properties, numbing the area where the tick is feeding and preventing the host from feeling that the tick has attached itself.

“It’s been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever NO CAP,” Justin Bieber stated after going public with his life altering diagnoses. However, the battle with Lyme isn’t just internal, it’s also environmental.

In addition to fighting off the infection, Lyme compromised patients make them more susceptible to other exposures such as mold. Mold exposure can prevent and neutralize the benefit of the Lyme treatment protocols.

It is important to understand that mold is only part of the problem. If the immune system is weakened by the Lyme infections, individuals are more susceptible to fungal overgrowth in the body. People will also be more affected by mold in the environment. Symptoms can mimic Lyme, and Lyme can mimic mold illness.

When diagnosed with any Lyme, other tick borne illness or immunocompromising disorders it is important to have the home inspected and tested to verify it is a safe haven for healing.

References:

Justin Bieber and His Battle With Lyme

Raw, MD, Chronic Lyme

Lyme Center

Lyme Disease, CDC

Parkinsons Disease and Mold

Parkinsons Disease and Mold

Parkinsons Disease and Mold

Parkinsons disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. While there is no clear cause for most people, experts believe they have pinpointed certain factors that may increase risk.

There is emerging evidence linking Parkinson’s and environmental factors. Exposure to mold is most commonly associated with allergies and asthma. However, it is now thought to be associated with many complex health problems, since black mold species such as Aspergillus, Fusarium and Stachybotrys. These black molds produce mycotoxins that are toxic to central parts of the body, including the brain.

Parkinson’s disease symptoms are different for different people. Some are hard for even doctors to detect. Others are obvious even to an untrained eye.

Parkinson’s disease can impact how you feel and think:

  • Apathy: lack of motivation and interest in activities

  • Memory or thinking (cognitive) problems: vary widely; range from multitasking and concentration difficulties that don’t interfere with daily activities (mild cognitive impairment) to significant problems that impact a job and daily and social activities (dementia)

  • Mood disturbances: depression (sadness, loss of energy, decreased interest in activities) and anxiety (uncontrollable worry)

  • Psychosis: seeing things that aren’t there (visual hallucinations) and having false, often paranoid, beliefs (delusions), such as that a spouse is being unfaithful or money is being stolen

  • Other Physical Changes

Parkinson’s can cause other difficulties, as well:

  • Drooling: build up of saliva because of decreased swallowing

  • Pain: discomfort in one body part or the entire body

  • Skin changes: oily or dry skin; increased risk of melanoma

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue: feeling drowsy, sluggish or exhausted; may be symptoms on their own or result from Parkinson’s medications

  • Smell loss: decreased ability to detect odors

  • Speech problems: speaking in a soft and monotone voice and sometimes slurring words or mumbling

  • Swallowing problems: choking, coughing and clearing the throat when eating and drinking

  • Vision changes: dry eyes, double vision and trouble reading

  • Sleep problems: insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), restless legs syndrome (an uncomfortable sensation in the legs that goes away with moving them) or REM sleep behavior disorder (acting out dreams)

  • Weight changes: mild to moderate weight loss

When the environmental conditions are right and toxic black molds begin to grow, they produce by-products that are released from the growth area, they include MVOCs, Spores, and Mycotoxins. Many mycotoxins are neurotoxins causing lesions in the brain in the grey matter and the white matter. This directly affects the neurons function which can create neurological disorders like Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s disease occurs when the nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine are slowly destroyed. Without dopamine, the nerve cells in that part of the brain cannot properly send messages.

Published research from Rutgers and Emory universities indicated that 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom alcohol),  one of the MVOCs produced by toxic molds in water damaged buildings, could trigger Parkinson’s disease. The compound was shown to cause changes in fruit flies’ brains similar to those of patients with Parkinson disease. These findings suggest that 1-octen-3-ol may represent a naturally occurring environmental agent involved in the development of Parkinson disease. The mold compound also caused reduced dopamine levels and dopamine neuron degeneration.

-BRAIN IMAGING SHOWING LOSS IN SEROTONIN FUNCTION AS PARKINSON’S DISEASE PROGRESSES

In a recent report by the Environmental Health Center-Dallas, 100 members were analyzed with an end goal to reveal how dangerous mold exposure can influence the mind and lead to psychological and emotional disorders. After the mold exposure, sensory system difficulties were seen in all of the patients. Brain imaging examines distinguished anomalies in a critical segment of the patients. Neuron function was observed to drop significant resulting in neurological damage.

Harmful toxic mold exposure has been connected to increasingly genuine, long haul impacts like memory loss, sleeping disorders, tension, dejection, and nerve damage. Research is still underway for neurological dysfunction and environmental toxins. You can follow this topic here.

Mold can be lethal. The risks of mold exposure can lead to adverse health effects. If you suspect your home is contaminated, you will need to find a professional to test the extent of the damage. Since this living organism grows over time, a top to bottom inspection is absolutely necessary.

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:

  1. The Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease by Monascus purpureus NTU 568-Fermented Compounds

  2. Inamdar, Arati A.; Muhammad M. Hossain; Alison I. Bernstein; Gary W. Miller; Jason R. Richardson; and Joan Wennstrom Bennett (2013). Fungal-derived semiochemical 1-octen-3-ol disrupts dopamine packaging and causes neurodegeneration. PNAS 2013; published ahead of print November 11, 2013.

  3. Korpi, Anne; Jill Järnberg and Anna-Liisa Pasanen(2009). Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds. Critical Reviews in Toxicology, February 2009, Vol. 39, No. 2: Pages 139-193

  4. https://www.parkinson.org/

Can Mold Harbor Deadly Superbugs?

Can Mold Harbor Deadly Superbugs?

A deadly fungal infection has been growing throughout multiple health facilities around the world, and has been deemed the superbug of the millennium. After it was first discovered in 2009, Candida auris (C. auris) has researchers investigating this little-known drug-resistant fungus. According to the CDC, more than 90% of C. auris infections are resistant to at least one antifungal medication; about one-third are resistant to two or more. This may be due to the widespread use of fungicides in agricultural settings. The CDC is now urging health facilities to be alert for signs and symptoms of C. Auris.

These symptoms include:

  • fever and chills while on antimicrobial medication

  • sepsis

  • isolation of Candida-like yeast from the patient’s blood, and little or no patient response or improvement with conventional antifungal therapy.

  • Coma, organ failure (as the infection spreads to multiple organs), and death may occur if appropriate treatment is delayed.

Robery H. Shmerlung, MD of Harvard Health, reveals the trail of how this fungal infection has quickly spread.

  • 2009: The organism is discovered in the ear of an elderly woman in Japan. However, it turns out that C. auris strains were also present in Pakistan and India in 2008 and 2009.

  • 2012–2013: A medical center in Venezuela treats 18 patients with C. auris.

  • 2012–2016: In South Africa more than 450 infections were reported.

  • Since 2013: The US has tracked nearly 600 cases, mostly in Illinois, New York, and New Jersey.

  • 2015–2016: A London hospital reports 72 cases of C. auris

What’s most alarming are the reports from the CDC indicates 1 in 3 patients with invasive C. auris infections die and nearly half of the patients who contract C. auris die within 90 days.

This fungal infection has wreaked havoc in 34 countries and is beginning to spread throughout the United States.. Public health officials announced more than 800 confirmed cases in 12 states just in 2019 alone. In the latest reports, Illinois, New York and New Jersey have all declared a state of emergency. Still, the question remains, how are patients getting infected in the first place?

The cause is still under debate. The American Society of Microbiology reports some patients who carry the multidrug-resistant fungus, Candida auris, on their skin are shedding it into the hospital environment and contributing to transmission of the deadly organism. The FDA has confirmed that certain yeasts produce mycotoxins that may be the culprit behind C. Auris. Additionally, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health indicates patients exposed to environmental microbes and their structural components, such as mold spores and yeast fragments, can cause or worsen health problems.

C. auris can be spread from person-to-person or from contact with objects or equipment. But, could Candida Auris be spreading at an epidemic rate because of the poor conditions of the medical facilities? Many buildings may be hiding a pathogen inside their vents, walls, and even their sheets. Additionally, lack of proper maintenance of the building facilities plumbing problems, leaky roofs and outdated  ventilation systems lead to the perfect environment for mold growth.

Molds produce a variety of bi-products that can impact patients. One of the most studied bi-product are spores. When these spores enter the body of an immunosuppressed patient they can become a host for fungal infections, like C. auris. Unfortunately, fungal infections are becoming more common, as well as, deadly. Certain fungi can harbor fatal viruses, like in the case of Olivia Paregol. She had suffered from Crohn’s Disease (an autoimmune disease) before contracting a fatal Adenovirus from a mold infested dorm room.  In several other incidents mold growth was found in hospital linens, according to KTLA 5. Five deaths were linked to a mold outbreak due to contaminated sheets at two hospitals.

It is estimated that 25% of Americans have weakened immune systems that make it very difficult to fight off fungal intruders. This pathogen can overwhelm the immune system leading to the individual to suffer infections that may become fatal. This makes identifying the cause a real challenge, and when mold is hidden, it is extremely easy to miss the link between toxic mold exposure and a superbug.

These cases of aggressive toxins and pathogens related to exposure are becoming more common. Illness from mold is becoming one of the biggest health issues impacting humans today. Mold, just like bacteria, are quickly evolving defense mechanisms to survive modern medicine.

This is an ongoing investigation with the CDC. Medical facilities are currently fighting to combat the spread of C. auris.

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:

A Deadly Superbug Fungus Called Candida Auris Has Been Detected in 12 States, April 2019

The superbug Candida auris is giving rise to warnings — and big questions, July 2019

CDC – General Information about Candida auris

Yeasts, Molds and Mycotoxins, FDA

Robert H. Shmerling, MD Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing, 2019

A Mysterious Infection, Spanning the Globe in a Climate of Secrecy, New York Times, 2019

Seattle Children’s Hospital Shuts Down Operating Rooms After Patient Dies of Mold Infection

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013-102 (November 2012)

Your Cell Phone May Help Black Mold Grow

Your Cell Phone May Help Black Mold Grow

Watch This : Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt, MD., PhD. & Mold

Most people today are engulfed in the constant exposure of EMFs generated by Wi-Fi, electricity, cell phones, and much more. Studies started back in the 80’s after EMF waves were starting to increase and the fears of cancer started to emerge. Results have varied throughout the years but, as the amount of EMF exposure increases, so does the public’s concern. Multiple environmental communities took action to find out just how EMF waves may affect biogenetics.

A well known medical practitioner, Dr. Klinghardt, uncovered a connection between EMF and mold. During his research, he found that EMFs could be responsible for driving certain molds to produce Mycotoxins. In other words, electromagnetic fields could be making molds more aggressive and reactive.

So, what are electromagnetic fields (EMF)? There are two levels of EMF exposure. Low-level radiation, non-ionizing radiation, which is mild and basically harmless to most people. Devices like cell phones, and Wi-Fi routers, send out low-level radiation. High-level radiation, ionizing radiation, emit a form of ultraviolet rays from the sun and X-rays from medical imaging machines. Studies showed elongated exposure to any type of EMF over a course of a month can make mold and bacteria grow at an exceptional rate. The mold spores grew at 600 times their regular rate due to the radiation exposure. Additionally, this studies shows evidence of increased mycotoxin production amongst certain species molds.

Dr. Klinghardt performed a mold plate experiment which compared a mold plate shielded from electromagnetic fields to an unprotected mold plate exposed to electromagnetic fields.  The unprotected mold plate showed a drastic increase in the number of spores produced.

This research suggests that molds are highly sensitive to electromagnetic fields. In the last 20 years if you measured the density of electromagnetic fields that we are exposed to, the change is significant. If you measure the amount of cell phone radiation the air, it is now several million times higher than it was just 10 years ago. Even our WIFI exposure with the new upcoming 5G compatible has drastically increased.. All this may factor into how the mold may grow at a quicker rate.

Dr. Klinghardt is not alone in unveiling the dangers behind EMF mold exposure. Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine released their findings of fungi growth induced by high levels of EMFs. A Russian research project explored the still-highly-radioactive damaged reactor at Chernobyl. They sent a robot to only return with samples of black, melanin-rich fungi growing.

As research continues, we also increase our exposure with how fast technology moves. Some researchers suggest unplugging in the evening, and never to sleep with your phone near you. Knowing what we know now about mold, if you suspect you do have it, it’s best to act fast. If you believe you have a mold issue please don’t hesitate to call us.

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:

Russian scientists report that EMR induces growth in a certain yeast strain. (See Effect of Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Psychological Features of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Strain UCM Y-517.)

Researchers found evidence of EMF and mold growth. (Read More Here)

Researchers at NYC’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University found evidence that certain types of fungi have the ability to use radioactivity as an energy source for growth. (Read more here.)

A completely different study shows a similar relationship between this strain and EMR. (See Preliminary Results on the Non-Thermal Effects of 200-350 GHz Radiation on the Growth Rate of S. Cerevisiae Cells in Microcolonies.)

 

Your Christmas Tree Is Growing Black Mold

Your Cell Phone May Help Black Mold Grow

Your Christmas Tree Is Growing Black Mold

Live Christmas trees may bring more than the joys of the holiday season into homes, they can bring in mold!

A recent study examined the relationship between mold growth on live Christmas trees and indoor air quality. This study showed evidence of a consistent and dramatic increase in asthma and sinus issues among patients every winter. Specifically, the holiday season.

Christmas trees are the hidden holiday allergen, said Dr. James Sublett, chief of Pediatric Allergy at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky. Even Christmas ornaments and lights that have been contaminated with dust or mold.

Since trees are harvested weeks before the Christmas season, they often standing in moist environments. This continued exposure to moisture can cause mold to develop. Mold spores can spread easily as you carry the tree into your house and move branches around. This exposure puts you and your family at risk for the health issues. Researchers discovered that a fresh Christmas tree can raise the mold level in a room by as much as five times their normal levels. This can cause allergy symptoms and even trigger asthma.

To reduce the risk of exposure of mold and other allergens in your home, thoroughly shake your tree before bringing it inside. Handle your tree as little as possible and consider waiting to purchase one until later in the season. Keep a real tree up and decorated for no more than a week.

In light of the study, the holidays can still be festive without a live tree. Finding a nice and affordable artificial tree is easier than ever now. However, mold will grow on the artificial trees as well. Proper storage is key to preventing mold growth. Waterproof tightly sealed containers are the best way to keep your Christmas tree clean year round. Make sure to not store them in areas that are prone to damp conditions.

Make sure you check all holiday decorations for mold and water damage before hanging them in your home. Bringing the holiday spirit to your home shouldn’t come with health triggers to you or your family!

The information contained in this report 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:

How to Get Rid of White, Fuzzy, Moldy Potting Soil, 2019

EXPOSURE TO MOLD: ARE YOUR HOUSEPLANTS MAKING YOU SICK?, 2017

A Lesson in Microbiology, 2017

James L. Sublett, M.D.

CHRISTMAS TREE ALLERGY, 2015

What Hospitals Are Hiding

What Hospitals Are Hiding

Hospitals are the one institution where people should feel the safest. However, they’re not as clean as you may think. Many hospitals may be hiding a pathogen inside their vents, walls, and even their linens: mold. Injuries, diseases, and illnesses send people to a hospital to get help. Mold growth, however, can actually drive people to develop severe fungal infections. Reports from all over America have flooded news feeds with serious mold infestations that have been linked to multiple untimely deaths.

So, why is mold such a serious impact on patients?

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Certain species of molds produce a chemical as a defense mechanism, called Mycotoxins. Mycotoxins may induce 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.

Mycotoxins put any patients exposed at high risk of serious health complications. Mold growth in hospitals is especially dangerous considering any and all instrumentation used in a hospital must be clean and sterile in order to be used. Patients who are at the most risk have suppressed immune systems, mold allergies, or are organ transplant patients.

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However, Mycotoxins are not the only danger to abnormal mold growth in a hospital. Molds produce a variety of bi-products that can impact patients. Mold spores are released from the growth area as a reproductive mechanism. When spores enter the body of an immunosuppressed patient they can become a host for mold growth. It is possible for mold to grow in a variety of places in the body but most commonly it is found in the nasal cavity and lungs.

In several incidents, mold growth was found in the hospital linens, according to a report. Five deaths were linked to a mold outbreak due to contaminated sheets at two hospitals. The latest death was a 65-year-old who died days after contracting a rhizopus-positive pneumonia infection.

In a Seattle children’s hospital, 14 operating rooms were closed after aspergillus mold was discovered. Despite this close, six patients had died from fungal lung infections. Hospitals are growing increasingly aware of the implications of having mold in a facility, but that doesn’t always turn into action.

Like any other infectious outbreak that occurs in a hospital, the mold must be quarantined in order to be effectively eradicated. While it may cause a temporary displacement for staff and patients, handling mold in a hospital properly will not only save time and money in the long run, but it can also save lives.

Hospitals are not the only areas mold likes to grow, if you suspect you have a problem in your home, it’s best to act fast. Please don’t hesitate to call us.

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.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/dozens-nurses-and-staff-sickened-mold-nyc-hospital

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1892134/

https://ktla.com/2019/07/03/seattle-childrens-hospital-shuts-down-operating-rooms-after-patient-dies-of-mold-infection/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2019/07/04/here-is-the-mold-found-in-seattle-childrens-hospital/#3396177b1280

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/1-patient-died-5-others-infected-mold-operating-room-seattle-n1026596