Traveling Without Mold

You’ve planned everything for your perfect vacation except one thing, you didn’t plan on getting sick. Your environment could be the main culprit to your travel bug, and you may not even know it! If you are on of the many individuals who are hypersensitive, you may need to reevaluate how to travel.

Researching on how to travel for the hypersentive may seem overwhelming but, we’ve created a thorough guide to ensure your vacation really is perfect.

When Booking:

Preview where you will be staying – Research beforehand. Check all review sites and pictures of the rooms to see if it looks run down in any way or has any visible water damage.

Call hotels ahead of time and inform them if your sensitivity – You need to make sure that the room you are staying in has good air quality. Taking this extra step will alert them to your needs and give the hotel managers time to accommodate your needs appropriately.

When Packing:

Bring your own pillow cases – Since your face touches this item each night, it is extremely important that it is mold-free. In very sensitive cases, bring your own pillow.

Bring a travel size air purifier – Purchase a compact Air Purifier. Bring clean, fresh air with you no matter where you visit. Travel air purifier models allow you to clean indoor air on the go. Air purifier will remove airborne mold spores. If the mold is embedded and cannot be removed from a surface, an air purifier can help remove odors.

Bring a mask – If you are highly sensitive, it’s better to pack a mask. It is impossible to avoid being in an environment contaminated by air pollution. In these circumstances, it can be very helpful to have a mask to filter those contaminants out of the air you breathe. (This includes mold, bacteria, viruses and VOCs.)
In dry climates, bring a humidifier – Uncomfortable dry air can result in some sleepless nights compliments of itchy skin, chapped lips, and asthma flare-ups.

Bring wipes – Using natural based cleaner wipes is your best bet for keeping your room clean without harmful chemicals. Wipe down the desk, dresser drawers and handles, bathroom counter and faucets, bedside table, the room phones, remotes and furniture. Just concentrate on anything you will be touching or putting your things on.

Get our “Hotel Inspection Checklist” by following the link below.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Don’t be afraid to speak up, if you find mold or even suspect mold it’s not worth feeling sick over. Change rooms or even hotels if needed. In addition to following these tips, ensure that your hotel staff and people traveling with you are aware of your health concern so they can extend required support in case of a reaction.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/aircrew/cabinairquality.html

https://www.camfil.com/en-us/insights/commercial-and-public-buildings/airplane-iaq

Reducing Formaldehyde Exposure

Formaldehyde is a colorless and odorless gas. The inhalation of air contaminated with formaldehyde could bring respiratory issues, for example, hacking, bronchitis, chest pains and wheezing. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause injuries in the lungs, conceivably causing unsalvageable harm to the lungs and even cancer. Limiting exposure is extremely important, but knowing where to look is just the first step.

Some common places where formaldehyde is still used:

Particleboard, hardwood plywood paneling, medium density fiberboard
Products that contain phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins
Softwood plywood, flake or oriented strand board
Pre-finished engineered flooring
Insulation
Glues and adhesives
Paints and coatings
Textiles
Disinfectant cleaning products and soaps
Preservatives
Personal care products, especially certain hair products
Cosmetics
Pet care products
Bactericides and fungicides
Combustion byproduct (burning)
Tobacco smoke and fuel-burning appliances (gas stoves, kerosene space heaters and fireplaces)

If any of the items look familiar, it may be time to test. One of the most effective ways to detect Formaldehyde is through an air test. Using the example below from Prism Analytical Technologies, results for this air sample are displayed on the chart as a yellow circle. The blue curved line represents the relationship between the percentage of homes (indicated on the vertical y-axis) and formaldehyde concentration (indicated on the horizontal x-axis). The green, yellow, orange, and red vertical bars represent divisions between Low, Moderate, Elevated, and high formaldehyde concentrations.

According to the EPA, As of June 1, 2018, and until March 22, 2019, composite wood products sold, supplied, offered for sale, manufactured, or imported in the United States were required to be labeled as CARB ATCM Phase II or TSCA Title VI compliant. Being aware of what a high and low count of indoor air formaldehyde may sound complex but there are several guidelines different associations recommend. Government specialists recommend formaldehyde concentrations cannot surpass 100-120 ng/L (80-100 sections for each billion or ppb) and 50-60 ng/L (40-50 ppb) for short term and longer term exposures, individually. A few associations or government specialists suggest more stringent levels for longer term exposures. All in all, formaldehyde exposure should be kept as low as possible.

Preventing formaldehyde is much easier said than done. However, there are simple ways to reduce your chance of exposure. Whenever possible, read labels and any disclosures to see how the product you’re buying is made.

There are several air purifiers on the market that can help reduce certain toxins including formaldehyde. Make sure the air purifier has carbon filtration to absorb formaldehyde and other VOCS. Here is a great website that further explains air purification:

Another way to reduce your exposure is switching to natural, non-toxic household cleaners and other products like laundry detergents, shampoos, lotions, etc. It’s crucial to read labels and look for products that are biodegradable and non-toxic. An easy way to do this is finding products that are vegan.

See Items Without Formaldehyde:

https://www.c2ccertified.org/products/registry

https://branchbasics.com/shop/

https://www.lovebeautyandplanet.com/us/en/home.html

See Items With Formaldehyde:

https://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/search?tbl=TblChemicals&queryx=50-00-0

Testing for Formaldehyde should always be considered as part of the environmental assessment. This will help identify possible sources of the Formaldehyde.

Resources:

Formaldehyde Poisoning

https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-emission-standards-composite-wood-products

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK217652/

https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/toxins/formaldehyde.htm

https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/formaldehyde.html

https://www.afscme.org/news/publications/workplace-health-and-safety/fact-sheets/formaldehyde

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/formaldehyde.html

https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/AN%2520UPDATE%2520ON%2520FORMALDEHYDE%2520final%25200113.

This is a tragic story about a woman named Dorothy.

Click Here To Watch The Full Story

This is a tragic story about a woman named Dorothy.

Dorothy works with the Special Education program in a small town in Washington. A family-oriented person involved in her community, Dorothy became well-liked for her selflessness.

However, several years ago she fell ill with a mystery disease and many doctors could not find the cause. After searching for answers, she found a doctor who finally confirmed what was wrong. She was sick from mold.

It is estimated that 25% of Americans have immune systems that can’t protect them from certain molds and the toxins they produce. Mycotoxins 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 in the home, it is extremely easy to miss the link between toxic mold exposure and a worsening health problem.

Unfortunately, Dorothy fell into that statistic.

We met Dorothy after she was referred to us by her doctor. We Inspect is a specialized indoor environmental assessment company that focuses on guiding those with complex medical issues back to health. We do this through the environmental assessment of their homes and buildings.

After confirming her home had a serious mold issue, she needed to hire a remediation company to help fix the problem. This is how she was introduced to a man named Mark, he claimed to be a mold remediation expert. Mark presented a cost to fix all the issues totaling $42,000 and asked for $20,000 upfront.

Dorothy packed up what she could, moved into an RV, and Mark started working on her home.

After several weeks of remediation, he asked to meet her at the RV. He asked for the final payment and for her to sign the final documentation saying the work was completed.

Dorothy’s family hoped they would be able to go home. She handed him a final check and signed the documents.

Before moving back in, Dorothy wanted to have post-testing done. This is when Mark’s lies and scam surfaced.

Once the post-inspection started it was clear that the work was incomplete. They had left the home in shambles. There was visible mold growth throughout the entire home. Contaminated debris riddled the rooms and absolutely none of the work that was said to be done had actually happened.

When Dorothy reached out to him, Mark said he wouldn’t be giving her the money back and he was shutting down his business.

To make the situation worse the contract that was signed by Dorothy and Mark was stolen by Mark the day he met her in the RV. This documentation was needed to show proof to her insurance company that she had paid Mark’s team to do remediation and was due partial reimbursement. Without the contract they will not provide any payment.

The rest of what happens to Dorothy’s family is to be determined. Their dream home is uninhabitable. They cannot sell it if they wanted to in the state that it’s in. They have spent their savings on medical care and all of the “work” on the house to this point.

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The Phases Of Remediation

Once a building has had a thorough mold inspection, proper testing and a remediation strategy has been set, It is time to begin remediation. The first step is identifying the appropriate remediation company. When choosing a remediation company, it’s critical to find a licensed/ certified and accredited company that knows the adverse health effects of mold on sensitive individuals. There are remediators that understand the toxic nature of indoor water damage. Understanding of the term mycotoxin and knowing the difference between a mold allergy and a toxic response is an important part of the job. Here is a great guide to help identify a remediator : HERE.

The proper process of remediation comes in two phases.

Two phase process
- Phase 1: Source Remediation
- Phase 2: Home Cleanse
  - Basic Home Cleanse
  - Deep Home Cleanse
Post remediation verification should be performed after each phase

The first step is addressing any sources of moisture in your home. Usually, mold is the result of a leak, flooding, or a damaged pipe which eventually builds-up of mold. However, water comes in many forms not just liquid. It can come in a gaseous form such as high relative humidity or water vapor.

Since elevated moisture and humidity are conducive to mold growth, it is essential to eliminate all sources of moisture in the home. If these issues are not addressed, mold mitigation can be performed, but future mold growth can occur. Therefore, a qualified waterproofing professional should be hired to create a plan to eliminate all moisture issues.

During phase 1, the remediator must set up proper containment. Dual entry containment includes plastic sheeting and protection at the entrance to the containment site to avoid cross-contamination. All HVAC vents, registers, A/C units are sealed off. Contents are sorted and removed depending on if it’s porous or not. An extremely important step is eliminating mold contamination by removing materials such as: compressed wood, drywall, flex ductwork, carpeting, or rugs. The building materials that can be cleaned, depending on their condition, are solid surfaces like, steal and wood studs, glass or metal. During phase 1 it is key to properly prepare for the home cleansing process.

After each phase 1 is complete, a post remediation verification should always be performed. It’s important to make sure the remediation protocol is being followed and all sources of contamination have been removed. Proper phase 1 post testing should include:

Visual inspection Inside Containment – including thorough inspection of all remediated areas, moisture mapping and infrared camera. Goal is to identify if the source of the cleaned areas still exist.
1. The following sample types should be collected inside the containment:
  1. Air sampling
  2. Surface sampling
  3. Outside Containment
Visual Inspection Outside Containment – including thorough inspection of the containment verifying it is properly sealed, there are no breaches and all impacted areas are within the containment.
1. The following sample types should be collected outside the containment:
  1. Air Sampling

Once phase 1 remediation has been completed and all the source areas have passed post remediation verification, phase 2 can begin.

In phase 2 is broken into two types of cleaning depending on the contamination, The Basic Home Cleaning and Deep Home Cleanse. The goal of the Basic Home Cleaning is to remove dust from the home and contents. The following steps should be performed:

1. Air scrubbing with HEPA air scrubbers.
2. Removal of all carpet, rugs and associated padding throughout the home.
3. All vertical and horizontal surfaces such as: walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets are to be HEPA vacuumed & wiped clean.
4. Contents cleaning following IICRC S520 guidelines.
  1. In some cases, porous or semi- porous items can not be cleaned in an efficient and effective matter and should be discarded.

When the home has tested positive for contaminants that will not be captured by traditional cleaning methods or the occupants of the home are immunocompromised/ hypersensitive, a Deep Home Cleanse should be performed. This process is extremely detailed including a pack out of all contents throughout the entire home. In this case, porous or semi- porous items can not be cleaned in an efficient and effective matter and should be discarded.

Removal of all carpets, rugs, carpet padding throughout the home.
Discard all exposed insulation.
Replace all exhaust vents and ducting throughout home.
HEPA vacuum all hard surfaces with exhaust vented outside.
Implement air machines for air movement and air filtration units with carbon filters.
Implement fogging throughout the area with a non-toxic environmentally safe solution (All contents should be removed from the area.)
Three stage damp wipe on all hard surfaces including walls, floors, ceilings, counters and cabinetry.

Companies should be using botanical products, proper engineering controls, and building science to ensure that the sources of contamination are being removed in a manner that will not cause additional damage and cross-contamination to the building. Additionally, it is important to work with a mold remediation company that truly understands working with all clients, especially individuals that are hypersensitive to their built environment. If you believe you have a mold problem, the first and most important step is an inspection and testing. Call us today.

Resources:

https://www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup.htm

https://www.consumersadvocate.org/mold-removal

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/Mold-FAQs.aspx

Throw Out Your Mold Infested C-Pap Machine

Sleep is known to be critical for overall good health, but if you are one of the 18 million Americans with sleep apnea, you may need to rethink your nightly routine. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleeping disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts. For many, the C-Pap Machine has made significant changes in their in their sleep and reduces many sleep apnea symptoms. The C-Pap Machine (continuous positive airway pressure machine) helps open airways by pushing a forceful stream of air through a tube and into a mask the patient wears while they sleep. This allows a constant flow of oxygen into the lungs preventing sleep apnea symptoms. However, before considering adding this treatment to your nightly ritual, the risk of inhaling mold may be higher than previously thought.

Each C-Pap machine piece comes into contact with water vapor, by either the device’s humidifier or from the users breath. This ultimately can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and microorganisms. It’s advised to clean each component daily, but is this enough? A previous report from the Environmental Protection Agency recommends washing out a humidifier every third day, but for a device with humidifier, small tubes, a face mask, and tiny components, is sanitation truly attainable?

Keeping the C-PAP machine clean isn’t the only factor that can expose the user to mold. The home environment plays a big piece in what they are breathing. The machine draws air from the surrounding area through a pump into the humidifier where it is then pushed through the tube into the lungs of the patient. But what if the home is contaminated with mold? The likelihood of living in mold is relatively high, an estimate of 50% of American homes have water damage and dampness. Mold creates spores that reproduce and spread. When these spores are inhaled, it can bring more harm than commonly known. The longer your environment’s mold goes untreated, the more harm done to your lungs, your sinuses, and your overall body.

Breathing in those organisms can increase problems related to conditions such as asthma, mold allergies, reactive airway disease, or other lung conditions. Flu-like symptoms to serious infections, can also be the beginning of concerns from prolonged exposure, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Follow this simple guide to prevent mold growth in your C-Pap machine:

Chamber.

The C-Pap box is a small, quiet compressor humidifier that takes in room temperature air and pressurizes it. The chamber delivers gently pressurized and filtered air to the users airway via a hose and mask. It is very important to dump the water out of this chamber daily, cleanse it with vinegar, soap, and water, then dry it thoroughly to keep it from becoming a breeding ground for mold. If you can see visible mold growth, there is certainly mold through the rest of the components.

Hose.

The C-Pap hose connects the motor to the mask. Hoses are specially designed to move humidified air. Hoses can build up deposits that are difficult or impossible to remove and encourage the growth of bacteria and mold. If mold is visible, the hose needs to be discarded.

Mask.

The C-Pap mask may go over your nose or over your entire face. Though the masks are easy to use and effective. The cushions are not meant to be used indefinitely without replacement, even when you clean them properly. The cushion should be replaced twice a month. If there is mold present, it must be discarded.

4. Filter.

The filter removes allergens from the air in the room. When not replaced regularly, this filter will not remove allergens as effectively. Additionally, it becomes contaminated with bacteria, mold and other pathogens over time.

While the golden standard solution for sleep apnea is the C-Pap machine, you may need to reconsider, especially if you’re sensitive to mold. C-Pap machines and their components need to be tested, serviced, and replaced periodically, but this regular maintenance can help prevent unwanted mold growth inside the chamber. Talk to your doctor about positional therapy, oral appliances, hypoglossal nerve therapy, and the pillar procedure as alternatives. There’s no need to suffer from both sleep apnea and the illnesses that come from mold. If you believe you have mold growing in your home, it’s time to call for professional help.

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.alaskasleep.com/blog/dirty-and-broken-cpap-and-bipap-equipment-can-endanger-your-health

https://www.cheapcpapsupplies.com/blog/best-ways-to-clean-your-cpap/

https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5046.pdf

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/humidifier_factsheet.pdf

https://www.truthaboutmold.info/statistics

Elevated CF4 Could Indicate Mold Exposure

C4A is part of the immune system that is activated in the presence of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. When C4A is high, it means your immune system is in overdrive. This means your immune system is working hard trying to clear pathogens and toxins.

Elevated C4A levels affect the body by:

Impairing capillary perfusion leading to fatigue, muscle pain, and impaired exercise tolerance

Imbalance of the glutamine/glutamate ratios in nerve cells leading to the following cognitive symptoms

Impaired memory

Impaired concentration

Decreased assimilation of new information

Impaired word finding

Disorientation

Confusion

Elevated C4A strongly correlates with fatigue due to mitochondrial or cell dysfunction. C4A levels can be increased in people with Lyme disease, Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), or Mold Illness. See more about these conditions **HERE!** (What will this link to?)Elevated levels of C4A may trigger the degranulation of mast cells and basophils, that cause increased inflammation. According to SurvivingMold.com, C4a raised levels can mean a person is hypersensitive and should not live in a home with an ERMI score above 2. C4A levels may be decreased with mycotoxin avoidance.

Mycotoxins are known to disturb hormone work. So, what are mycotoxins and where do they come from? The short answer is mold. Mold needs to defend its territory just like you need to defend your home. Mycotoxins are produced by certain molds as a defense mechanism. Find out more: LINK

Mold can grow inside homes, schools, and workplaces undetected for years and fueled by damp conditions. The mycotoxins produced by mold can affect the body’s central nervous system as well as the immune system. The C4A inflammatory test can be very telling. In the event that the body is overpowered by C4A, it is very conceivable that the person is being exposed to mold.

It is important to understand that mold is only part of the problem. If your immune system is weakened by the over-activated C4A, you are more susceptible to fungal overgrowth in the body. Illness from mold is one of the biggest health issues impacting us today that is not addressed effectively in the mainstream medical system. 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.

Resources:

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

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/basophil-granulocyte

What is methylation and what does it have to do with mycotoxins?

MTHFR or methylation is vital to the body, it forms folate acid for our bodies to use. Folic acid is a B vitamin. Our bodies use it to make new cells. Methylation helps with the function of our nervous and immune systems. Disruption of the methylation would affect your energy production, detoxification of toxins, and hormone balance.

Symptoms of a methylation mutation can vary from:

Chronic fatigue
Persistent migraines
Achy joints
Brain-fog
Memory loss
Shortness of breath
Upper respiratory tract symptoms

(Cite where tho 40% statistic was cited from)Around 40% of the population have a mutation in their MTHFR gene and may be unaware of it causing trouble detoxing. Individuals with this mutation may experience endless medical issues after exposure to mold, including conditions like sinusitis, fringe neuropathy (nerve harm in hands as well as feet), and other disorders. It suggests that people can harbor mold toxins inside their bodies.

Scientists have discovered that individuals encountering constant toxin affliction discharge mycotoxins (toxic substances created by mold) in their urine( Add a link to page on website about labs that do mycotoxin testing). Mold needs to defend its territory just like you need to defend your home. Mycotoxins are produced by certain molds as a defense mechanism. Find out more: LINK

Mycotoxins can accumulate in the body which, if you have an MTHFR mutation, you want to make sure you are managing your toxic load. In some cases, it can require an extensive course of treatment by your doctor. If you suspect you have mold in your home please connect with us today.

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.

Resources:

https://www.survivingmold.com/faq/methylation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2428647

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30275516

What The ERMI Test Really Means

The US Environmental Protection Authority developed ERMI to provide a straightforward, objective, sensitive and standardized way to assess mold and indoor air quality investigations.

Based on widely published data from EPA researchers and the 2006 HUD American Healthy Home Survey, the test has been developed as a tool to evaluate the potential risk of indoor mold growth and associated health effects to occupants.

In order to most effectively use this tool, the ERMI obtained needs to be compared to a national database. Indices were determined using this method for 1,096 homes across the U.S. as part of the 2006 HUD American Healthy Home Survey. Individual indices, ranked from lowest to highest were used to create a national Relative Moldiness Index (RMI) Scale.

In initial studies by the USEPA, the concentrations of different mold species in “moldy homes” (homes with visible mold growth or a history of water damage) and “reference homes” (homes with no visible mold) were compared. Based on those results, mold species were selected and grouped into those with higher concentrations in moldy homes (group 1) and those with lower concentrations (group 2). To calculate the ERMI the individual concentrations of the mold species detected are log-transformed and the sum of group 2 logs is subtracted from the sum of group 1 logs. Here is an example of an ERMI report from Envirobiomics Lab:

To assist in the interpretation of the ERMI score this table can be used:

However, when looking at the ERMI lab results it is also important to look at the species detected. If counts are abnormally high, it may be assumed the building has a source of mold contamination.the potential to harm health. However, do not discount low counts either, the presence of certain mold species can indicate a problem as well as they may have the potential to produce mycotoxins.

See below the health risks associated with certain mycotoxins:

There are certain clinical labs you can use to see if the mycotoxins are being absorbed in your body. Different labs test for different mycotoxins and depending on the mold species you have, it’s important to know where to go next. Based on the ‘ERMI Test’ table,’ we’ve simplified your lab search using your spore count results. Below are three labs, the mycotoxins they test for, and then matched to the ERMI test:

Great Plains Laboratory

Group 1: Water Damage Molds

Group 2: Common Indoor Molds

1) Aspergillus flavus/oryzae,

27. Acremonium strictum

Aflatoxin M1, STERIGMATOCYSTIN (STG)

2) Aspergillus fumigatus

28. Alternaria alternata

GLIOTOXIN*

3) Aspergillus niger

29. Aspergillus ustus

OCHRATOXIN A (OTA)

DIHYDROCITRINONE*

4) Aspergillus ochraceus

30. Cladosporium cladosporioides1

OCHRATOXIN A (OTA)

5) Aspergillus penicillioides

31. Cladosporium cladosporioides2

GLIOTOXIN*

6) Aspergillus restrictus

32. Cladosporium herbarum

GLIOTOXIN*

7) Aspergillus sclerotiorum

33. Epicoccum nigrum

Aflatoxin M1, STERIGMATOCYSTIN (STG)

8) Aspergillus sydowii

34. Mucor amphibiorum

OCHRATOXIN A (OTA)

9) Aspergillus unguis

35. Penicillium chrysogenum

STERIGMATOCYSTIN (STG)

Ochratoxin A (OTA

10) Aspergullus versicolor

36. Rhizopus stolonifer

STERIGMATOCYSTIN (STG)

11) Aureobasidium pullulans

12) Chaetomium globosum

CHAETOGLOBOSIN A*

13) Cladosporiumsphaerospermum

14) Eurotium (Asp.) amstelodami

15) Paecilomyces variotii

OCHRATOXIN A (OTA)

16) Penicillium brevicompactum