Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 I have two question- I hope that they aren't stupid. Perhaps one of our experts could answer- Is stachy found in buildings that are not " sick " ? Would you be able to find small amounts that would not necessarily cause any harm? I would love to get an answer - Thank you in advance- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 " madeskv " wrote: > I have two question- I hope that they aren't stupid. Perhaps one of our experts could answer- Is stachy found in buildings that are not " sick " ? Would you be able to find small amounts that would not necessarily cause any harm? > Extremely pertinent questions! Banta of Restoration Consultants in Sacramento told me that there is literally no house that does not have at least a few stray Stachy spores. Two teachers at North Tahoe High School became chronically ill while working in a room that had a baseball diameter sized colony of Stachy. The rest of the teachers in other areas believe that these teachers must be lying and malingering - since others in that school didn't all succumb. The concept of ambient spore testing is meaningless when a sole plume in a isolated area can lash out and affect just a couple of people and leave others in close proximity wondering what those complainers are whining about - since it didn't do the same thing to everyone. So yes, Stachy can be found in a building that isn't sick, and there are many buildings which are quite safe - except for one small area that can be quite exceptional in its effects. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 you may be right about mycotoxins released when disturbed, something I know for a fact is that in victorian type built homes, with pocket doors and just the way they were build are very good at circulateing these stachy spores and mycotoxins through out the walls and because these older home are not air tight, windy days help make it air borne very will. my exposure to shachboctrys in my victorian home was basically everytime the wind blew. I think the way this home was build actually provided the perfect condictions for stachy to grow. from roof leaks, steep roof, rain running straight down the roof slope to outside walls in straight down to the basement in some spots, inside these outwalls of the home. I even heard rain dripping inside the walls in a few places. the rain would make it grow, the wind would dry it out and make it air borne. in the winter, the steam heat forsed dry spores to constantly fly around. sorry, just got zapped outside. not funtioningf well. > I wonder this too, I've read that the mycotoxins it produce could > depend on what its growing on(whats feeding it) but dont know if it > grows without produceing any mycotoxins at > all. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Share Posted March 30, 2006 Mycotoxins are chemicals generated by mold to protect itself from other molds. They are poisons to other molds to help make sure it is the " fittest " and will survive. It defines its territory just like bird songs identify their territory. Or dogs peeing on fire hydrants. Stachybotrys, the species chartrum, according to a study several years ago by Dr Jarvis at Univ of MD, has three varieties, only one of which produces mycotoxins. What determines which variety grows? A combination of environmental factors, especially other molds in the immediate vicinity. Carl Grimes Healthy Habitats LLC ----- > who <jeaninem660@...> wrote: > I wonder this too, I've read that the mycotoxins it produce could > depend on what its growing on(whats feeding it) but dont know if it > grows without produceing any mycotoxins at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2006 Report Share Posted April 9, 2006 Carl, Thank you for responding and for not thinking my questions were stupid! I have another one- What would be the probability that molds (including stachy) are causing problems in a hypothetical building A with the following history- Building A: *completed in early 1980's as a " tight " energy efficient building *numerous water intrusions and leaks *numerous health complaints from workers located in the building *designated as a sick building in early 1990's - mold, dust and CO2 *rehabilitated in 1990's - workers complaints increased *testing has found mold present on vents, ceiling tiles *visible mold growth present Any answer would be appreciated- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 > > Carl, > > Thank you for responding and for not thinking my questions were > stupid! I have another one- > > What would be the probability that molds (including stachy) are > causing problems in a hypothetical building A with the following > history- > > Building A: > > *completed in early 1980's as a " tight " energy efficient building > *numerous water intrusions and leaks > *numerous health complaints from workers located in the building > *designated as a sick building in early 1990's - mold, dust and CO2 > *rehabilitated in 1990's - workers complaints increased > *testing has found mold present on vents, ceiling tiles > *visible mold growth present > > > Any answer would be appreciated- > > > I think the probability that molds are causing a problem in the building is 99.99%. Any mold is a problem, some molds are deadly. Love, Joyce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 , The probability is very high for not just mold but bacteria, poor ventilation, dust, perhaps chemicals and who knows what else. What particularly concerns me is that it was previously considered a sick building and we all know how difficult it is to get that admission. What were the reasons given for it being sick? Worker complaints or some sort of testing? What was done to fix it and was it considered successful? On what basis? Despite the continued worker complaints? The biggest mistake any of us can make is to limit our concerns to only mold. Yes, mold growth can be serious and is common, but it isn't the only problem. Moisture is necessary for mold growth it isn't limited to just mold growth. If we complain just about mold growth then those responsible will limit their response to just mold. Even if they remove the mold - properly - they will declare the job finished without even looking for other sources of exposure - despite continued complaints. It sounds like your hypotherical building could have some serious hypothetical problems in need of an actual professional assessment. Carl Grimes Healthy Habitats LLC ----- > Carl, > > Thank you for responding and for not thinking my questions were > stupid! I have another one- > > What would be the probability that molds (including stachy) are > causing problems in a hypothetical building A with the following > history- > > Building A: > > *completed in early 1980's as a " tight " energy efficient building > *numerous water intrusions and leaks *numerous health complaints from > workers located in the building *designated as a sick building in > early 1990's - mold, dust and CO2 *rehabilitated in 1990's - workers > complaints increased *testing has found mold present on vents, ceiling > tiles *visible mold growth present > > > Any answer would be appreciated- > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2006 Report Share Posted April 10, 2006 Hi Carl, Thank you again for responding. I am going to email you directly with more inforamtion on building A. Te determination of it being a sick building was through testing performed by an industrial hygienist in conjunction with my union. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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