Re: Toxic Mold Exposure Story

[Guest guest]

Tent,

Stachybotrys never grows on shower tiles, only on

cellulose-containing substrates like paper (as in constantly wet drywall),

linen and wood. The mold in showers lives on the thin dust film containing

soap and is usually Aureobasidium. This mold is very common in showers

and although the spores can cause allergy, they do not become airborne

very readily in showers.

You may be suffering from mold exposure but your

symptoms should have decreased significantly after leaving home.

I would look to other places for the source of your "toxic" exposure, such

as an old pillow or mattress. In my experience, a contaminated down pillow

or comforter could cause all your symptoms. I would replace all the bedding

and use allergy-coverings on the mattress and pillow, and above all, no

feather products.

J. May

Trent wrote:

This

is my story: Unfortunately

we have no one to blame but our parents. They both worked a lot but kind

of just let things go as far as keeping the house maintained. The whole

thing started about 10-15 years ago for my family. We moved into a new

home and after a few years I noticed the wall around the bathtub getting

dark and turning a black color. I was probably 10 or so at the time and

really thought nothing of it. A few years later my mother started getting

sick. She'd come home every day from work and go directly to bed complaining

of fatigue and hurting all over. We all didn't know what to think at that

time.

[Guest guest]

Hello Jeff,

Maybe I said it wrong but the mold was growing on the bottom part of the drywall right next to the bathtub. We had someone look at it and they said the person who built the house used the wrong kind of drywall. He said a special kind of "green" drywall should have been used.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jeff May

Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 7:22 AM

Subject: Re: [] Toxic Mold Exposure Story

Tent, Stachybotrys never grows on shower tiles, only on cellulose-containing substrates like paper (as in constantly wet drywall), linen and wood. The mold in showers lives on the thin dust film containing soap and is usually Aureobasidium. This mold is very common in showers and although the spores can cause allergy, they do not become airborne very readily in showers. You may be suffering from mold exposure but your symptoms should have decreased significantly after leaving home. I would look to other places for the source of your "toxic" exposure, such as an old pillow or mattress. In my experience, a contaminated down pillow or comforter could cause all your symptoms. I would replace all the bedding and use allergy-coverings on the mattress and pillow, and above all, no feather products. J. May Trent wrote:

This is my story: Unfortunately we have no one to blame but our parents. They both worked a lot but kind of just let things go as far as keeping the house maintained. The whole thing started about 10-15 years ago for my family. We moved into a new home and after a few years I noticed the wall around the bathtub getting dark and turning a black color. I was probably 10 or so at the time and really thought nothing of it. A few years later my mother started getting sick. She'd come home every day from work and go directly to bed complaining of fatigue and hurting all over. We all didn't know what to think at that time.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/23/01 12:55:58 PM, JPScih@... writes:

>regular sheetrock which contains parafin

in the ICD code references which are medical codes for MD's to number your

particular malidy........Parafin wax is listed under 981 toxic effects of

petroleum products

Benzene spelled Benzine sub group parafin wax

<A HREF= " http://www.mcis.duke.edu/standards/termcode/icd9/1tabular980.html " >

ICD-9-CM from code 980</A>

<A HREF= " http://www.mcis.duke.edu/standards/termcode/icd9/1tabular980.html " >

http://www.mcis.duke.edu/standards/termcode/icd9/1tabular980.html</A>

[Guest guest]

Trent,

Green board is simply regular sheetrock which contains parafin to

help make it water resistant. Although studies have shown that it

does not grow mold as quickly as regular wall board ( Ellringer

has done a lot of the work on this), it is not mold proof. The best

thing to use in bathrooms is wonderboard, which is made from portland

cement.

Jack Springston, CIH, CSP

Ambient Group

New York, NY

>

> This is my story: Unfortunately we have no one to blame but

our parents. They both worked a lot but kind of just let things go as

far as keeping the house maintained. The whole thing started about 10-

15 years ago for my family. We moved into a new home and after a few

years I noticed the wall around the bathtub getting dark and turning

a black color. I was probably 10 or so at the time and really thought

nothing of it. A few years later my mother started getting sick.

She'd come home every day from work and go directly to bed

complaining of fatigue and hurting all over. We all didn't know what

to think at that time.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Just curious, how easy is it to find wonderboard??? And how expensive??? Can you pick it up at the local Home Depot?????

From: Jack Springston

Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 11:41 AM

Subject: [] Re: Toxic Mold Exposure Story

Trent,Green board is simply regular sheetrock which contains parafin to help make it water resistant. Although studies have shown that it does not grow mold as quickly as regular wall board ( Ellringer has done a lot of the work on this), it is not mold proof. The best thing to use in bathrooms is wonderboard, which is made from portland cement. Jack Springston, CIH, CSPAmbient GroupNew York, NY

[Guest guest]

Good questions, to which I do not have all the answers. I do not

believe that it is all that difficult to find. Whether or not Home

Depot carries it, I am not sure, but I would not be at all surprised

if they did. As far as the cost, again, I am not sure. However, I

strongly suggest that if you are having a new bathroom installed or

your old bathroom redone, insist that the contractor use this

product. At a minimum, it should be used around the bathtub and

shower area. It will save you a lot of potential headaches (as well

as possible health problems)in the long run.

Jack

--- In @y..., " Trent " <trentpatterson1@y...>

wrote:

> Just curious, how easy is it to find wonderboard??? And how

expensive??? Can you pick it up at the local Home Depot?????

>

>

> From: Jack Springston

> @y...

> Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 11:41 AM

> Subject: [] Re: Toxic Mold Exposure Story

>

>

> Trent,

>

> Green board is simply regular sheetrock which contains parafin to

> help make it water resistant. Although studies have shown that

it

> does not grow mold as quickly as regular wall board (

Ellringer

> has done a lot of the work on this), it is not mold proof. The

best

> thing to use in bathrooms is wonderboard, which is made from

portland

> cement.

>

> Jack Springston, CIH, CSP

> Ambient Group

> New York, NY

[Guest guest]

you can also check with www.environmentalbuilders.com , they might be able to

assist you.......

<A HREF= " http://www.environmentalbuilders.com/index.asp " >Environmental Builder

</A>

All The Best,

Donna

[Guest guest]

I suspect you posted this note thinking that parafin has toxicity problems of its own, possibly related to benzene. You are right to be concerned about benzene, strongly linked to development of leukemia from prolonged exposure, and other problems of the kidney and liver. This is the reason that gasoline processing has changed to reduce exposure of refinery workers and consumers. Benzene use as a solvent has also declined significantly.

Benzene is only one of many compounds in petroleum, and its level can be influenced greatly by processing and purification techniques. And parafin is a classification encompassing many compounds derived from petroleum. These range from medicinal mineral oils to parafin candle wax to much higher molecular weight parafins of almost zero volatility, as used in waterproofing wallboard. The risk from exposure to wallboard parafin of almost zero volatility is orders of magnitude lower than risk from very volatile and toxic benzene. Wallboard parafin is essentially free of benzene. Also, being volatile, any trace benzene in the parafin will disipate to near zero level during house construction.

Though some petroleum products can be highly dangerous to our health, petroleum used wisely has benefitted society greatly. We must be aware of what we are being exposed to, and do our best to control exposure, but we mustn't become paranoid.----Original Message Follows----

From: cavegrl777@... Reply- Subject: Re: [] Re: Toxic Mold Exposure Story Date: Wed, 23 May 2001 15:28:32 EDT

In a message dated 5/23/01 12:55:58 PM, JPScih@... writes:

>regular sheetrock which contains parafin in the ICD code references which are medical codes for MD's to number your particular malidy........Parafin wax is listed under 981 toxic effects of petroleum products Benzene spelled Benzine sub group parafin wax

ICD-9-CM from code 980

http://www.mcis.duke.edu/standards/termcode/icd9/1tabular980.html

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