Medical studies have found that black mold is the #1 cause of allergic
symptoms. The mold Stachybotrys found in home, office and school environments
has been linked to fatal pulmonary disorders. Our mold test indicates the
presence of various molds in a short turn around time. Our lab analysis will
identify the exact count and type of mold present.
Have you noticed any of
the following?
- Discoloration or black mold on baseboards, wallboards, or wallpaper.
- Cracks in shower tile, lack of caulking, loose toilet seal, leaks under
sink.
- Carpet and padding in direct contact with concrete slab.
- Poorly maintained or dirty air conditioning/heating vents and filters.
- Damp basement or crawl space.
- Water penetration (water marks on walls, mold spots on walls).
- Musty/ moldy odor.
If you answered YES to any of the above questions,
then you could be
EXPOSED TO TOXIC BLACK MOLD!
What is Mold and Where Is It Found?Molds are
microscopic organisms, found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Molds
can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic material. Also
susceptible to mold growth are cellulose materials, such as, cardboard, paper,
ceiling tiles, and sheet rock. Mold spores are easily detached and made airborne
by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a couch. In indoor environments,
mold can grow in air conditioning ducts, carpets, pots of houseplants, etc.
How Can Mold Affect Your Health?Exposure to mold is
not healthy for anyone but the following individuals are at a higher risk for
adverse health effects: infants, children, elderly, immune compromised patients,
pregnant women, and individuals with existing respiratory conditions. When
inhaled, even in small amounts, mold can cause a wide range of health problems
including respiratory problems (wheezing), nasal and sinus congestion, watery
and red eyes, nose and throat irritation, skin irritation, aches and pains,
fevers, asthma, emphysema and in some cases even death.
Mold Can Be Found In Many Areas Of Your Home
- Attic
- Living Rooms
- Bathrooms
- (HVAC) Ventilation System
- Bedrooms
- Kitchens
- Basements
- Any Moist Areas
- Carpets
- Garage
How Can You Be Exposed To Mold?When moldy materials
become damaged or disturbed, spores can be released into the air. The following
are sources of indoor moisture that may cause mold problems in your home or
office: flooding, leaky roofs, humidifiers, damp basements or crawl spaces,
constant plumbing leaks, house plants, steam from cooking, shower/bath steam and
leaks, wet clothes, and clothes dryers vented indoors. Protection and testing is
your first line of defense.
To find out if mold is a problem in your home
or office, you need a mold test!
The Black Mold Stachybotrys Chartarum
(atra)Stachybotrys Chartarum (atra) is a greenish-black toxic mold
that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material, such as straw, hay,
wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal
insulation, etc. Stachbotrys, before drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch.
There are about 15 species of Stachybotrys, known throughout the world. This
toxic mold grows in areas where the relative humidity is above 55%. This type of
mold does not grow on plastic, vinyl, concrete products, or ceramic tiles. It is
not found in the green mold on bread or the black mold on the shower
tiles.
Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin that causes human mycotoxicosis.
This type of mold is thought to be a possible cause of the sick building
syndrome. Children's exposure to Stachybotrys spores are thought most likely to
cause pulmonary hemosiderosis (bleeding in the lungs). The following is a list
of symptoms associated with exposure to Stachybotrys mold spores:
1)
Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing;
2) Nasal
and sinus congestion;
3) Eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light
sensitivity;
4) Dry, hacking cough;
5) Sore throat;
6) Nose and throat
irritation;
7) Shortness of breath;
8) Chronic fatigue;
9) Skin
irritation;
10) Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory
problems, and mood changes);
11) Aches and pains;
12) Possible
fever;
13) Diarrhea;
14) Possible hemosiderosis;
15) Immune
suppression.
At Play It Safe home
inspection you can order a mold test along with other
services or by itself.
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