Flood victim Edward R. Rogers and his family moved into a trailer in August when a flood overtook their home, leaving it infested with mold. Volunteers affiliated with Wichita Falls Area Disaster Recovery Committee continue to band together to see to the unmet needs of flood victims, and coordinate relief efforts. Their mission is “To meet the long term recovery needs of persons affected by disasters in our communities.”

Volunteer on work teams to help in rebuilding, or help support work teams by providing meals as they work (Contact 211-Texas to find out about specific needs for volunteers at 940-761-3802).

After 167 samples were studied, researchers at Lund University in Sweden reported that more mold toxins are around than earlier estimations indicate. According to researcher and doctoral candidate Erica Bloom, “Mycotoxins not only directly kill cells but can also affect immune cells in a way that increases the risk of allergies.” This is even more significant considering there are over 400 known mycotoxins.

Citations:

Bloom, Erica, Mycotoxins in Indoor Environments: Determination using Mass Spectrometry. Doctoral Thesis 2008

Stone, Kathlyn New findings on ‘toxic mold’ will further debate

Selling your house? Buying a new house? Pre-remediation? Post-remediation?

You Need Mold Testing.

Mold is pathogenic, allergenic and/or toxic. If you have mold, you need the ByeBye Mold team.

We have outstanding skills, an outstanding team, and extensive experience in mold inspection. You must control the three elements that contribute to mold: a source of moisture (and/or humidity), a food source (cellulose, drywall, etc), and temperatures between 60-90° Fahrenheit.

Let us find the mold.

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Think of the mold issues in that basement and the apartment complex at the end of the video–and all the rest of those flooded houses. Let’s hope these people have mold insurance.

You know that saying “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire” ? It applies to mold. It’s also true that when there’s a little mold….there’s more. The spot you see on your bathroom grout, that area by the baseboard…those are just the tip of the iceberg. Mold doesn’t just grow on the surface. it starts where it starts and grows. So that little bit you see on the surface–it’s nothing compared to what’s inside.

Have you ever seen a blue cheese that only had mold on the outside?

I rest my case.

But seriously…if you can tell you have a little mold, a professional is going to be able to find more, maybe even a whole lot more. So it might be a good idea to have a mold inspection before you remodel, or get your house ready to put on the market. That way, at least, you know what you’re up against.

After the flood or the leak, get a dehumidifier. You can rent these from your local hardware store. Keep an eye on it so that you empty it in a timely fashion. But usually there’s more to do. Water damage can be insidious. You must outthink the water, and seek out the hidden places through which the water made a path. (This all presupposes that you have found and eliminated all leaks, leaky pipes, etc.)

That hidden water path is likely to feed mold. You want to remove it completely, because EVEN IF IT IS DRY NOW, if you can see it, there are millions of spores too small for the human eye to detect, and they are just waiting for an opportunity to find the least bit of moisture on cellulose, so they can plant themselves and begin to grow.

And even if they don’t grow right away, the spores themselves cause allergic reactions in some people. And we haven’t even discussed mycotoxins.

Before 2003, the number of mold claims equalled fire claims each year; but when insurers realized that toxic mold losses would be extensive (including the cost of illness and deaths from toxic mold), not only did they stop insuring against mold, they added a Mold and Microorganism Exclusion.

So check your policy. Are you covered?

County Fire/Rescue Station 3 in Branford is hiring a firm to remove mold. Because firefighters were constantly getting sick, Landwise Inspection Services was hired. Crew’s symptoms included flu-like symptoms, their noses bleeding, not feeling very well.

Testing revealed evidence of active mold growth/sporulation and water intrusion. Air-sampling showed black mold fungal spores (Stachybotrys) among other types.

Low-income renters are suffering from poor housing conditions which in the current economy are only going to get worse. Mold, whether visible or hidden, contributes to health problems such as asthma. The limited rental market provides few housing choices. If management is slow to maintain properties when times are good, think of how slow they will be as the economic downturn worsens. Inspections and remediation cost money. Some areas are attempting to respond with rental housing inspection programs, but these programs also require funding; and frequently there’s waste inspecting properties which have no issues. The answer probably lies with a complaint-driven system. Property owners or renters should be able to get their own inspections from qualified professionals in order to help accelerate the process.

This guidance provides common-sense measures for preventing, diagnosing, and resolving most indoor air problems with minimal cost and involvement. This guide helps schools understand how IAQ problems develop, the importance of good IAQ, and its impact on students, staff, and building occupants. One section provides suggestions for dealing with an IAQ crisis and for communicating IAQ information to students, staff, parents, and the community. The appendices of this guide offer detailed information on IAQ-related topics including mold, radon, secondhand smoke, asthma, portable classrooms, basic measurement equipment, hiring professional assistance, codes and regulations, and integrated pest management. The document also includes information on typical indoor air pollutants and pollutants from motor vehicles and equipment.

Available for Download at epa.gov