Is Mold Hazardous To Your Health - Common Mold Related Health Problems

Mold is everywhere. Check under the carpet, behind the walls, on the shower tiles, in the coffeepot, and there it is. It?s an unavoidable part of life that can be controlled, but never totally eliminated.

Since we have to live with mold, it is important to be aware of mold related health problems. How can the presence of mold in your home adversely affect you?

While some types of mold contain toxins, most mold is non-toxic and not life-threatening. However, our natural reactions to mold cause many minor irritating problems, and there is some risk for potential long-term trouble.

If you suffer from asthma or any other breathing disorder, mold may be a very serious health risk for you. You should try to keep your home free of mold as well as possible, and talk to your physician about ways to limit the danger.

Here are some common mold related health problems:

Nasal Congestion. Most people are mildly allergic to mold. The most common symptom is a stuffy nose. Even though you do not have a cold, you may get a stuffy nose when you enter certain rooms or houses. If you suddenly get congested in certain parts of your home, this may be an indication that you have some mold growing somewhere that you can?t see.

Headaches. Along with the stuffy nose, many people get headaches. Have you ever gotten a headache when you are in a dusty place? Mold works in the same way. If you have constant headaches for no apparent reason when you are at home, you may have a mold problem.

Itchy or Watery Eyes. Mold produces airborne spores which can irritate different parts of our bodies. Most commonly, these spores get into our nasal cavities or lungs, but they can also irritate your eyes. The symptoms include itchy, red or excessively watery eyes.

Difficulties Breathing. In very severe cases, you may experience a shortness of breath. This would only be the case if you have a serious mold problem. If you are working in an old building or in an exceptionally humid environment, you may experience shortness of breath due mold. In this case, the room needs to be aired out and it may be hazardous for you to spend time there until the mold is under control.

Skin Irritation. In some cases, mold spores may irritate the skin and cause a rash. This is not common, but it does occur.

Asthma. If you have asthma, constant exposure to mold can be a serious health problem. Mold spores will bring on asthma attacks and cause you breathing trouble. If you are asthmatic or especially sensitive to mold, you must keep your environment as mold-free as possible.

It has not been scientifically proven, but many medical professionals believe that continual exposure to mold in childhood may be a factor in developing asthma. For this reason, be extra careful about mold in your home if you have young children.

Mold grows all over the place, but especially in warm, humid environments. Your house may have a mold problem that you can?t see, so it?s important to pay attention to these symptoms and get rid of the mold!

For more resources on Toxic Black mold and for mold inspection and testing advice, please visit our website, where you will also learn about the symptoms of black mold

RV Tips for Keeping Your RV Mold and Mildew Free

For RV'ers, nothing is more enchanting than a long road trip with many sights to see along the way. However, nothing can be more frustrating than having problems with your vehicle while on the road trying to have fun. Especially if those problems involve water leaking into your RV while you are out touring a rainy region or flooding from a leaky toilet or sink. Although mold can form while you out on the road, most mold and mildew formation occurs during those months when it is in storage. Under a tarp or stored in a warm, humid storage facility, your RV could become an incubator for mold and mildew. Once you've got it, it can be tricky to learn how to clean up mold properly - the best method is prevention. To follow are 3 tips for preventing mold and mildew from forming in your RV.

Check Your Plumbing and Ventilation

Every time you leave for one of your RV adventures, check or hire someone to check your toilet valves, lines, and your RV toilet stop to ensure it is all working correctly. Make sure your bathroom is vented properly because poor ventilation in small spaces with ample water is a perfect place for mold to grow. Don't forget to have someone look at the plumbing under your sinks and your waiste disposal system. The last thing you need is a leaky toilet or sink supply line soaking your carpet while you're blissfully charging down the road to that next destination.

Keep Tabs on Your Roof and Ceiling

Make sure your roof is water tight by inspecting the caulking, moulding and seams. Examine your roof carefully at least twice a year for exposed fasteners, cracked seams, UV deterioration, mold and mildew, water spots on the ceiling. One clear indicator for RV roof deterioration is a chalky white substance left in your driveway when you wash your RV. If you are a "do-it-yourself-er" (DIY-er), you could start by spraying water and trying to determine the source of the leak, replacing leaky roof vents, removing old caulking and replacing it with new, and repairing damaged seams. If your roof is in need of repair and you are not a DIY-er you may want to try a liquid roof system with no caulk, seams, or leaks.

 

Prevent Mold from Forming During Storage

Store your travel vehicle under a cover that will protect it from the elements while allowing it to breathe, while venting inside water vapor to prevent mold, mildew from forming. One can find a whole host of RV covers that are triple - layered to provide ample UV protection, air vents to reduce wind lofting and inside moisture for around $300.00 with a 3-year warranty. Though the best method is prevention, if you do discover you have mold, you need to think about the health implications. Make sure it is cleaned up properly, and, that you get an air cleaner or purifier to keep yourself and your loved ones from breathing in the spores.

Check for Hidden Mold and Clean it Up

Sometimes mold clean up requires some good detective work where you will have to learn to "follow your nose". Follow the smell and feel around for dampness. Even when mold is not visible on carpets and walls it may be growing on carpet padding or inside walls. Inspect, or have inspected, your air conditioning system ducts for mold, dampness. Once mold spores form in a heating or AC system, they will be spread around the entire space. This could cause some major health problems. For more on how to locate mold and remove it, read this >>

Article by: Adam O'Connor, RV Travel Pro

Mold Allergies - Learn About The Symptoms

Mold allergies are one of the main health problems that affect people of all ages. There are thousands of molds, although some of them do not cause any allergies at all. In fact there are only about 12 different kinds of molds that can cause a serious allergy. It is possible that mold might be the major reason that people have seasonal allergies. Mold spores are very tiny and they are airborne, which makes it possible for you to have mold anywhere in your home. However, the most common reason for mold allergies is mold growing in areas where there is a lot of moisture.

The most common symptoms of mold allergies are watery eyes, wheezing, stuffed up nose, shortness of breath and asthma. A mild mold allergy may not even require you to seek medical attention, whereas other symptoms may be so severe that they require hospitalization. A Stachybotrys allergy has been known to cause bleeding in the lungs of infants, especially when it is combined with exposure to second hand smoke. The Stachybotrys atra mold can cause disorders of the nervous system, such as the inability to concentrate, changes in personality and sleep disorders.

Where is the mold that usually causes the mold allergies?

The Stachybortrys mold grows on areas that get soaked in water and are not completely dried out. This is the common cause of mold allergies in homes that have experienced flooding. Other areas in the home where mold is commonly found when you go looking for the source of your mold allergy includes basements, closets, shower stalls in bathrooms, fresh food stored in cupboards and the refrigerator, foam pillows, garbage containers and house plants.

You can control your mold allergies by containing or reducing the amount of mold in your home. Some ways you can do this include keeping the level of humidity below 40%. You can use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier in times when the humidity is really high and in so doing help to keep down the severity of your mold allergy. You do need to ensure that your kitchen and bathroom are ventilated. If you have a HEPA filter, change the filters on a regular basis. If the filters are clogged they are not going to do much to take the mold spores out of the air in your home.

There are some people whose mold allergies flare up when they eat certain foods. These include such foods as cheese, mushrooms, dried fruits, and foods containing yeast. These foods actually contain mold, which will certainly aggravate a mold allergy. There are many different types of products on the market to help you with your mold allergies, but the best thing is to try to eliminate mold from your home.

To find out more about Mold removal visit Peter's Website The Mold Removal Guide and find out about Testing for Mold and more, including Mold allergies and toxic Mold.

Toxic Mold Exposure Cure and Natural Remedies

Some have misunderstood black mold as being dirt or mildew. Mold and Mildew are the same, both need water to grow and a food source. Both can have spores that will cause allergies. Being around mold has caused many to have common symptoms close to a cold or flu. Be aware of mold symptoms and health effects is important to understand with black mold and mold removal. Living with mold can be harful to one's health. Black mold can grow in the lungs and attach itself becoming a problem to the body. The immune system can break down and even mold has been known to be found in the blood stream. Black Mold is coming found in warm, wet, and dark areas. It is also found in homes, offices, walls, showers, and just about everywhere else. Living with mold can affect one's health and it is important to understand if your body is very allergenic to toxic mold and mildew.

While being inside a space such as a house, the spores of black mold can be quite foul to the system. Many questions arise regarding a toxic mold exposure cure. Being aware that you have a mold issue is the first step. One needs to comprehend what does mold look like and some mold symptoms are important. Some common symptoms of mold are coughing, headaches, scratchy throat, and blood in the lungs. Mold symptoms become common in individuals who have lower immunity such as the elderly and infants. We call this immuno comprimised. Headaches are common with cleaning black mold. Painful headaches have been found to be more common with individuals who have mold in their system. The temples and forehead become very bothersome and people will begin to feel fatigued. Once identifying and having an idea if mold is mold or just some black dust you then need to understand how to reduce the mold symptoms caused from mycotoxins and related fungus. The most essential resolution one can give on Toxic Mold Exposure Cure is getting free and fresh air. Your system can go into shock and breathing fresh air into the lungs is in any case therapeutic. Many headaches and other common symptoms of black mold decrease when receiving new air in the lungs. The largest problem is to live in a home that has a large amount of microbial growth. This type of house is also know as Sick Building Syndrome since people will most likely be affected when occupying in the environment. The spores will be liberated into the air and then bear into your blood stream, also your lungs and sinuses. Therefor, quite a few nasal issue and lung problems are cause by mold and mildew.

So, for the simplest Toxic Mold Cure can go outside for fresh air, and taking in new oxygen. The mixture of the fresh oxygen will depress the mold symptoms of the toxins. On the other hand, if you have a toxic mold problem inside your office or home and may relate to black mold growing on a wall, hence it is recommended to find a mold inspector that may assist you in finding the correct solution. Bleach will not remove mold, locating the source and solution is how a certified mold inspector will assist in cleaning mold which will then give you protocols for a mold remediation company who specializes in mold removal.

Markus Skupeika Mold Removal

Toxic Mold Lawyers Will be a Lot Busier Soon Due to Hurricanes in the Gulf and Flooding in the East

About ten thousand toxic mold lawsuits are currently pending in the United States, and the number is likely to grow rapidly in the wake of hurricanes in the US Gulf Coast and torrential rains in the Eastern United States. But homeowners and renters may need a toxic mold lawyer even if their residences haven't been flooded.

Recent studies have found evidence that there is less of a connection between certain health problems and toxic mold than was previously believed. Nonetheless, in the wake of flooding on the US Gulf Coast and in the Eastern United States, the number of toxic mold-related lawsuits is certain to increase.

Toxic mold can grow anywhere in certain conditions.  And if those conditions were created or allowed by a home builder or landlord, home buyers and tenants may have a right to sue and can seek a lawyer who specializes in toxic mold litigation.

How Can You Be Sure You Need a Toxic Mold Lawyer?

First, establish that you have a toxic mold problem.  Be sure you have plenty of facts to back up your claims.

If you want to do an initial mold test of a property at a low cost, consider using a do-it-yourself mold test kit. There are a number of inexpensive commercial mold test kits available.  

Find a Certified Mold Inspector to thoroughly inspect and test the home or building in question.

Hire a Certified Mold Remediator to develop a well-thought out, factually-strong mold remediation protocol plan with a realistic estimated remediation budget for taking care of any mold problems discovered by the Certified Mold Inspector.

After you've done these things, you'll have the facts you need to present to a toxic mold lawyer.

What makes a good "toxic mold lawyer?"

First, look for a lawyer who has experience in toxic mold cases.

Your toxic mold lawyer should already have an established network of inspectors and expert witnesses they can bring to court to testify for you.

How to Help Your Toxic Mold Lawyer Win Your Case

Once you choose a toxic mold lawyer, be prepared when you meet to discuss your toxic mold case for the first time.

• Explain to the toxic mold lawyer, clearly and simply, what you want to happen as a result of your toxic mold litigation.
• Have a list of questions ready about your legal rights in a toxic mold lawsuit.
• If possible, bring a chronological "journal" of facts about your situation: dates when you first started noticing health problems,
  specific symptoms of health problems, dates and times of doctors' appointments and doctors' recommendations, and clues that you had a toxic mold problem like greenish-black growths in basements and bathrooms.
• Have copies of the tests results and a remediation plan mentioned above available for the toxic mold lawyer to review

Details like these can help your mold lawyer understand your situation and what needs to be done, which in turn will save time for your mold lawyer, and make it easier for your toxic mold lawyer to begin working on your mold case.

Where to Start Looking for a Toxic Mold Lawyer

How to Find a Toxic Mold Lawyer provides a resource website focused on toxic mold information, including a section on finding a toxic mold lawyer.

George McKenzie is a freelance writer and CEO of Mastermind
Learning Systems http://www.mastermindlearning.com. He's a
former TV news anchor and radio talk show host.

Mold Q&A: Understanding Mold In Your Home

* How does mold enter a home?

Molds usually enter a home through spores that pass through open doorways, ventilation, windows, heating and air conditioning systems that have outdoor air intakes. The mold spores also attach themselves to humans, animals, shoes, clothing, bags and other objects that are capable of carrying spores.

When spores reach a place of moisture, especially those places where there is excessive moisture, they will attach and grow themselves. This will serve as their breeding ground. Molds usually grow in moisture rich places and those that are quite cold. The most common places where molds grow are in roofs, pipes, walls and plant pipes.

* How does mold grow?

Molds grow in different ways. Molds have tiny spores and these tiny spores have the capabilities of reproducing themselves through sexual and asexual reproduction. In sexual reproduction of mold, spores need another spore for them to reproduce. In asexual reproduction of mold, a single spore can reproduce by itself without requiring another spore.

Mold spores can reproduce themselves anywhere. They can grow and reproduce in soil, roof, and pots and even in air. Molds grow rapidly in places that have excessive moisture and have quite dim lightings.

* What kinds of health problems could there be if there is mold in my house?

Mold exposure may cause cold-like symptoms like watery eyes, sore throat, wheezing and dizziness. Allergic reaction to mold is common. It triggers asthma attacks. In addition, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat and lungs.

Molds produce allergens, irritants and in some cases, potentially toxic substances that are dangerous to the human body.

* On what kinds of surfaces can mold grow?

Molds never choose the surface where to grow and breed; rather, they survive as long as a surface has excessive moisture. Moisture seeps through concrete walls and floors, wood and plastics and other materials that will cause dampness resulting in molds on walls, floors, carpeting and others.

The bathroom is the most susceptible place for mold growth because it is always damp. Soap scum, shower walls, ceramic tile and fiberglass are all possible surfaces for mold growth.

Basement and laundry rooms are also common for mold growth. The kitchen is also a possible site for mold.

There is no required surface for mold. Any surfaces are susceptible to mold growth if moisture is present.

* How can I reduce the humidity in my home?

Reducing the humidity at home can be done in many ways. There are simple ways that are effective in reducing the dampness at home which is the main reason of mold growth.

The following are three effective simple ways of reducing humidity at home.

* Remove standing water. * Dry out your home. * Remove wet materials.

And also insulate your home properly.

Maye Teasdale is a regular contributor to mold education sites such as Mold Question and Answer. Website: http://www.MoldQA.com

Moldy Homes Are A Great Investment

Have you seen this in your classifieds? -"Will pay $$$ for moldy homes. Call 555-555-5555"

Have you seen this in your classifieds? -"Will pay $$$ for moldy homes. Call 555-555-5555"

All you have to do is watch the news and you know about mold problems. We hear about Ed McMahan suing because his moldy home killed his pet dog. We also hear about Erin Brockovich and Sandra Bullock's problems with their brand new moldy home.

* Mold has been traced to people dying in moldy homes.

* Mold has been proven to be the leading cause of sinus infections

* (Mayo Clinic 1997) http://www.mayo.edu/proceedings/1999/7409a1.pdf

* Mold will destroy the wood in a house.

* Mold loves to grow on wallpaper and drywall.

* We have actually seen it grow on glass.

People have had to move out of these houses. Sometimes even letting the bank take back the house because repair costs are prohibitive for most homeowners. As we all know, the home insurance policies aren't covering these damages any more.

Not all people stuck with these problems give their homes back to the bank. But many times they are motivated sellers. And people who invest in real estate love motivated sellers.

Before now, divorce created most of the motivated sells. Move over quarrelling couples.

But the title of this article tells us that mold creates a great investment. How can that be true if mold destroys the health of the homeowner?

The answer is that mold can be fixed inexpensively.

The people who want to move out have been told that it will cost up to $80,000 to get their home fixed. Some people actually do spend this money and find out they still have the mold problem.

Why?

Because most mold abatements are made by construction companies. Many of these companies are mold specialists because they have taken a 3 day weekend class. It takes a Mycologist up to 8 years of college to learn the minimum amount of knowledge required to understand mold in the home.

Eight years versus 3 days. HHHmmmm !

Knowing how to tear down walls isn't the same thing as knowing how to eliminate mold.

So if someone hesitates at paying these unreasonable prices, they become a motivated seller.

Opportunities are made from these problems.

Want to find these houses? Go to your bank's home loan office. Advertise in your paper. They are everywhere.

Of course, you don't want to buy just every house. You just want sick houses, not dead houses.

* Go into the crawlspace and stick a screwdriver into the floor joists. Are they rotted?

* Look at the dry wall is it just green or is it falling apart?

* Is the roof sturdy? Can you see light coming through holes in the roof?

* If the building isn't falling apart, you have a "diamond in the rough."

* Contact a mold specialist. A Mycologist, not a contractor. They can walk you through eliminating the mold, step-by-step.

* We know a family quoted $80,000 to fix a moldy home.

They solved the problem for 85 cents. That house just needed some duct tape on their A/C ductwork to cover up cat scratches.

* Most repairs aren't that cheap. The average house is around $2000 to do an $80,000 repair.

Contractors also tend to spray chemicals that are more dangerous than the mold. They will often say something like this - "Its EPA approved."

My old EPA law instructor said that EPA approval just means that it won't kill MOST people.

A Mycologist will use something that kills the mold but won't hurt the homeowner. Mycologists are aware of the effect of these chemicals on people.

It is a matter of focus. Are you focused on the house [an inanimate object] or are you focused on people?

If you can buy a house worth $100,000 for $30,000 and fix it up for $2,000 there is $68,000 profit. Rent the house or sell it for a profit. They find another moldy home and do the same thing again and again.Dr GW Graham For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat and prevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean environment.