NewsMold and indoor air quality related news and articles.
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Mold: A Growing Concern
By EcoTech Environmental Consultants Inc. Indoor mold has been around for centuries, even the Old Testament of the Bible mentioned inspection and removal of mold. Why all the concern now? There are many reasons. The first is the fact that the construction industry has changed dramatically in the past 40 years. Architects and builders are more focused on conserving energy and are constructing homes to be airtight. As a result, proper ventilation of these homes is almost non-existent. Before air conditioning came about, we ventilated our homes through open windows. Today, a majority of homes rely on air conditioning systems to do that same job. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Most residential air conditioning systems are able to remove moisture but do not bring in any outside air. These systems circulate and cool the same indoor air over and over again resulting in improper ventilation for most homes. On an average, 90 percent of the general public’s time is spent indoors. Studies have shown that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. The American Society of Home Inspectors says that “up to 38 percent of all homes have a mold and fungus growth due to elevated moisture levels.” Studies have shown a rise in health problems resulting from mold exposure. Mold grows almost anywhere there is water or elevated moisture. In the right conditions, it can start growing within 24 to 48 hours and is often difficult to notice. Mold can grow behind walls and ceilings, leaky appliances, in attics, and even in your a/c system. People believe that if it can’t be seen, it is not there, however most of the time this is untrue. If you see any mold growth in your home, there is likely to be more that is hidden. Mold releases microscopic spores impossible to see with the naked eye. These airborne spores can trigger many physical reactions depending on the type of spore and quantity inhaled. Even a relatively small amount of mold spores could adversely affect infants, children, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions and the elderly. Of these thousands of existing molds, some are known as allergens while others produce harmful mycotoxins which could cause serious ailments. In summary, all molds, in the right conditions and in abundance, are a threat. Inhalation of large quantities of airborne mold spores can cause many health problems. The purpose of a mold inspection is to determine the presence of mold spores, identify the kind of mold, determine the amount of spores found are normal or elevated for that environment, and to find the source that caused this mold growth.
School system not sure what's making teachers sick at Northside H. S.
More air quality tests are being conducted at Northside High School after several staff members complained of itchy eyes and headaches on Wednesday.
Some believe mold is making teachers sick so News-7 asked for a tour of the school to see the problem firsthand. We found plenty of water stains on the ceiling and a wall. Administrators say a leaky roof is causing it. "We found areas that may be leaking, that have leaked in the past," Assistant Superintendent Allen Journell said. He added there is no evidence that mold is making some teachers sick.
The school system plans to hire an outside firm to test the air at Northside next week. Teachers will help decide which company should be hired.
You've got mold What Boulder renters should know about a potential problem Ilana Guttenberg
Make sure you're not getting into a moldy situation when pre-leasing for fall. The black fuzzy fungus, otherwise known as mold, is something to watch out for when renting.
Not only is mold unsightly, but also it is harmful to our health. Mold spores become harmful when inhaled and can lead to nasal congestion, eye irritation and wheezing or skin irritation. Even memory loss can occur if you are exposed to mold for a long period of time.
Mold is common in boulder. Joe Boatman with Quality Environmental Services said he does at least five to ten inspections for mold every week in Boulder. If a rental property is infested with mold it could take a long time to get rid of.
"There are a lot of mold problems and it can result in a couple of days to a couple of weeks of clean up," Boatman said.
If renting a property that is infested with mold, the renter is not responsible for the mold clean up. When renting a house or an apartment in Boulder, contamination of mold is considered a breach of the lease. Maria Massaro, a real estate attorney, said it is considered constructive eviction.
"The contract with a landlord is considered breach, because you cannot live in a harmful environment," Massaro said.
According to state law, the landlord is responsible for ensuring proper living conditions. This includes making sure the premises do not have any kind of mold contamination.
Delia Burnett, a junior art history major, is not worried about mold. It is something she never really thinks about.
"I do not really worry about mold because I'm a short term renter," Burnett said.
Steve Henry, a senior English major, recognizes mold more on his food rather than places in his house.
"The other day I was eating a sandwich and I bit into it, it tasted bad so I looked at the sandwich. The curst was black and moldy, so I cut off the curst and continued eating," Henry said.
Although Henry is only looking for mold on his sandwich, he should be looking for it in warm and damp places in his house, as should the rest of perspective Boulder renters.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Ilana Guttenberg at Ilana.Guttenberg@theCampusPress.com
Should Unlicensed Inspectors Be Allowed To Do Mold Inspections? by Blanche Evans It's an interesting hole in state regulations. All states require licensure to sell real estate, but few require a license to build homes or to inspect homes. Home inspectors aren't licensed at all in almost half of the U.S. because the states don't have the revenues or manpower to police them. In fact, some home inspectors can make a mistake on their inspections, and not be held any more liable than the cost.....More
Mold: An Avoidable Threat In Your Home By Catalina Kelly Mar 24, 2007 - 10:36:41 AM
Mold: An Avoidable Threat In Your Home (HealthNewsDigest.com)-Mold is a dirty word -especially when it comes to your home. Mold can form anywhere there is air and moisture. When it finds the right conditions in your home, mold can cause a variety of health problems because it can produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold.
Common places for mold to form are appliances that contain moisture and food, such as dryers, stoves and kerosene heaters, as well as poorly insulated windows.
To prevent mold, experts recommend:
• Reducing humidity with air conditioners and dehumidifiers
• Increasing ventilation by opening windows and doors, when practical
• Covering cold surfaces, such as cold-water pipes, with insulation
• Installing double-paned, insulating glass windows made with Super Spacer®.
Taking the time to select the right windows can help you drastically reduce a major mold producer-condensation (moisture on windows). Condensation occurs when high moisture contacts glass of a lower temperature.
Therefore, higher indoor humidity and cool air outside can cause condensation.
By purchasing windows with insulating components such as the Super Spacer warm-edge system, argon gas filling and low-e coatings, condensation is drastically reduced. These components provide a warmer glass temperature, which cuts down on condensation and mold.
Windows made with metal spacer systems will not provide the same amount of protection against condensation and mold.
An all-foam insulating spacer that is positioned between the two panes of glass in an insulating glass window not only provides the warmest window available for improved condensation resistance, but it also helps save on energy bills, reduces outside noise for a quieter home and creates a healthier indoor environment for your family.
So when it comes to purchasing new windows for your home, be sure to ask what spacer is used in the product. It can make all the difference in preventing mold growth.
For more information on Super Spacer or to find dealers, visit www.superspacer.com.
Fla. Couple Charged with Faking Mold Remediation Lab Results
A Vero Beach couple have been arrested for allegedly providing false mold laboratory test results to customers of their mold remediation company.
Following an investigation by the Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud, Lisa Lynn Bock, 42, and her husband Patrick John Bock, 43 face charges of insurance fraud and grand theft.
The Bocks were booked into the Indian River County Jail with bond set at $10,000 and $25,000, respectively. If convicted on the charges filed against them, Lisa Bock faces up to five years in prison and Patrick Bock up to 20 years in prison. Both also face possible fines and restitution.
The investigation was initiated when Travelers of Florida Insurance Co. received a bill for $2,987 from Registry Service. Before remitting payment, Travelers requested records from a lab company to confirm that the lab had prepared the report for Registry Services.
Upon review, the laboratory company said the report submitted by Registry Services was fraudulent and alleged that they may have submitted other fraudulent laboratory reports.
DIF then found other homeowners in Vero Beach who had been customers of Registry Services. The Bocks are suspected to have obtained a total of $15,569 from their fraudulent mold remediation services.
The lead agent in DIF's investigation is Detective Anne R. Erwin. Anyone who suspects they may be a victim of this scheme should contact Det. Erwin at (561) 837-5668.
