7online.com, New York. Q: Could I be smelling toxic black mold in my home?

[Guest guest]

Here is some pretty logical advice. Except where does one find the doctor

that will write a 'physician's report'?

7online.com, New York.

Q: Could I be smelling toxic black mold in my home?

A: The most infamous toxic mold, stachybotrys atra, is actually quite rare,

so it is unlikely that you have it, but there are plenty of other more common

molds that can make people ill. And any mold can certainly be fatal to your

shoes, clothing, etc!

Molds are always present in our environment, but they can become a problem in

any structure if excessive water or moisture problems are not appropriately

and quickly addressed. Thus, your first step should be to inform your

landlord about this. Left unattended, mold can rot lumber, drywall and other

building materials so it behooves a property owner to remedy the situation to

avoid

increasingly more costly property damage.

Also, if you believe you are experiencing mold-related health problems, you

should consult your doctor to rule out other possible causes for your

symptoms. If he/she determines that your health problems do stem from mold, a

written

physician's report may help encourage your landlord to take steps to hire

the appropriate professionals to properly rectify the problem.

Molds can grow from moisture trapped inside a structure due to inadequate

ventilation (a common occurrence in modern air-tight, energy-conserving

construction); from a leak from a broken pipe, roof, window or wall; or water

seepage from alongside or under the dwelling, which is a landscaping/drainage

problem. Perhaps the original leak was already repaired months ago but

undetected

water flowed to a sealed cavity in another part of the house and it taken

this long to grow in a closed, dark, damp environment.

The public has become increasingly aware of the health risks associated with

molds. Certain sensitive people, including the elderly, young children and

those with respiratory ailments, often suffer adverse affects from prolonged

exposure to or increased levels of molds. Common symptoms include eye, nose and

throat irritation, excessive colds, nausea, compromised immune systems and

respiratory complications such as lung infections or asthma. However,

completely healthy individuals with no history of allergies can also react to

amplified levels of molds.

There are so very many types of molds in our environment and they are so

small that visual detection may not be possible until damage has progressed to

an advanced stage. Thus the first step to remedy a mold problem is to hire a

certified Industrial Hygienists (IH) from an environmental testing service to

take samples and analyze the results in a lab to identify all the specific

molds present.

If testing reveals elevated levels of molds, the IH will write a remediation

protocol for restoration contractors to follow. Remediation could be as

simple as HEPA vacuuming, washing/cleaning of the area with a biocide or

diluted

(10%) bleach solution, thorough drying, and encapsulation or painting. More

involved remediation can require vacating the premises while the work is

performed. In these cases, full containment combined with negative air pressure

techniques would be used in conjunction with many other steps.

Finally, the IH will perform clearance testing to ensure that levels of molds

inside the structure are lower than those outside. It is important to note

that all the remediation work will be for naught if the original source of the

water or moisture intrusion is not permanently rectified.

Unfortunately, just testing for molds can cost hundreds of dollars and there

are no governmental agencies to oversee or require testing, abatement or

remediation of molds in structures. If your landlord will not address the

problem, your only recourse may be to move out. For other remedies you might

consult your attorney.

If you decide to move out, avoid bringing your problems along through cross

contamination. Many molds can lie dormant indefinitely, only to be reactivated

by contact with moisture. Often it is not even the mold that causes

problems, but rather their spores, which can become air-borne and inhaled,

ingested,

or transferred to other areas or objects through the heating and air system

or improper handling/cleaning. Therefore, be sure to have all your belongings

professionally cleaned before using them again or moving them to a new

location.

This information is brought to you by ServiceMagic service professional

Zboralske of Zebra Cleaning & Restoration Services in Orangevale, CA.

Good luck with your dilemma! Kathy Maynard