Earlier we published an article that examined why Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) could affect cognitive and motor skills of people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
Not surprisingly, mold not only has an impact on dopamine in the brain, but can also impact the part of the brain that regulates mood.
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions;
Fatigue and decreased energy;
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness;
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism;
Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping;
Irritability, restlessness;
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex;
Loss of pleasure in life;
Overeating or appetite loss;
Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment;
Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings;
Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
The purpose of this article is to provide you with a basic understanding of scientific and anecdotal data linking mold with depression.
Similar Symptoms For CIRS and Depression
Since 2011, I have been researching and writing about mold, asbestos, and other indoor air quality issues. During this research, I have had the opportunity to network and interact with many mold survivors that I met through social media channels. Fortunately, many individuals have been willing to share their stories through formal interviews, many of which are published by Wonder Makers Environmental on their website dedicated to creating a resource on mold, www.moldsensitized.com
A key conclusion that can be gained from these interviews: mold does have an impact on the brain. In the words of the survivors:
“The first symptom that alerted me that something was wrong was the sensation of crawling on my skin along with ice pick/pinprick pain in random places. Shortly after, I noticed that I had the inability to recollect words, slurry speech, memory loss, and an overwhelming fatigue. Other symptoms included vision disturbances, irritability and severe depression.” (Hilesca Hidalgo: Mold Survivor)
“I had burning eyes, headaches, pain in my arms and legs, balance issues, impaired cognitive abilities, and vision issues.” (Kelli Hamilton: Mold Survivor)
Comparing the list of CIRS symptoms with the symptoms of depression listed earlier, it is clear that there are many similar symptoms associated with both conditions. This is likely the reason why many people sick from mold are unable to get proper treatment because they are diagnosed with a depressive disorder as opposed to a health condition caused by exposure to mold.
The biggest challenge mold survivors face is the lack of empathy and knowledge from doctors who do not understand mold sickness. Tragically, some survivors are even told that their sickness is all in their head:
“The doctors told us there was nothing wrong with her as she lay screaming in pain, convulsing on the table. The next ER, at a different hospital told us the same thing. The specialist we were sent to said ‘There is nothing wrong with her, I’ve read the reports. I won’t see her until she has a neuro-psych work-up.” (Debra Rogers: Mold Survivor)
Brown University Study on Mold and Depression
In 2007, researchers at Brown University released a study showing a link between mold and depression.
The study, led by epidemiologist Edmond Shenassa, analyzed data from 5,882 adults in 2,982 households.
The data was collected by the World Health Organization in 2002 and 2003. Interviewers visited 1000s of homes in eight European cities and asked residents a series of questions to assess symptoms of depression, including symptoms of low appetite, self-esteem, and sleep disturbances. They also tried to visually verify the presence of mold by looking at spots on the wall and ceilings.
What they found was that symptoms of depression were up to 40% higher for residents living in visibly moldy households than for residents that did not have mold in their homes.
Based on this survey, they concluded that there is a definite connection between damp, moldy homes and depression.
The studies author, further concluded that:
“Physical health, and perceptions of control, are linked with an elevated risk for depression, and that makes sense. If you are sick from mold, and feel you can’t get rid of it, it may affect your mental health. Healthy homes promote healthy lives.”
Despite the findings of this study, many in the scientific community consider this an anecdotal study because the researchers did not take actual air samples or swab samples of the suspected visual mold. Because of this, the conclusions of this study have been questioned.
Scientific Data Linking Mold With Depression
In her article, The Brain on Fire: The role of toxic mold in triggering psychiatric symptoms, Dr. Mary Ackerley explores the scientific research linking mold with brain disorders, including depression.
Unfortunately, one of the common symptoms of depression is suicide. As stated by Ackerley:
“I have patients who will walk into moldy places and their first sign that something is wrong is that they start thinking about suicide. I see that fairly frequently.”
According to Ackerley and other experts she cites, people feel depressed when exposed to mold because toxins released by mold, mycotoxins, pass directly into the brain.
Mold enters the body through the nose and eyes via the olfactory neurons which directly communicate with the brain.
Once the toxins enter the brain, it causes neuroinflammation which has a negative impact on the frontal cortex of the brain, the pleasure center that rules emotion, leading to depression.
Since Ackerley and other scientists believe that mold can cause depression, they have developed treatment protocols that focus on detoxing the patient.
The first step before treatment is to verify if mold is in fact the cause of sickness, which is accomplished through blood tests and the visual contrast sensitivity test developed by Dr. Shoemaker.
The second step is to begin the detox process. Ackerley has successfully used the drug cholestyramine (CSM), to reduce symptoms by up to 75%, provided the patient removes themself from the toxic environment.
She also recommends her patients to adopt a low carb and low sugar diet and the addition of supplements such as fish oil, magnesium, turmeric, probiotics, and vitamin D.
Mold Does Affect Your Brain Causing Depression!
According to Ackerley, the prevalence of mold induced depression could be quite high:
“One fascinating thing I’d like to point out: Dr. Shoemaker has often said that it’s about 25% of the population is susceptible to biotoxin-associated illness. When you add up who’s been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness, it too adds up to about 25% of the population. Is that a coincidence? Perhaps. But it’s a very interesting coincidence to me.”
With respect to the evidence linking the relationship between mold and depression, it is quite clear that mold does affect the brain and this is confirmed by scientific data, further strengthened by the anecdotal data offered by the Brown University study and the mold survivors who have come forward and documented their symptoms.
How prevalent is mold sickness? According to Dr. Scott McMahon, MD, who appeared in the MOLDY documentary:
“Possibly every doctor…is treating mold illness, and they just don’t realize it.”
If you suffer from depression, here are two questions that you need to ask:
How healthy is the air quality of my home?
Does my home have mold?
If you suspect that your depression is caused by poor indoor air quality and mold, contactMold B Gone so that we can do a formal mold inspection and indoor air quality tests. Peace of mind is just a phone call away, 678-697-6267!
How Does #Mold Cause Depression?: This article explains why many suffering from CIRS are diagnosed with depression caused by mold. Both scientific and anectodal data are cited. Learn more!
Many of the symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) include the following:
Memory issues
Concentration issues
Confusion
Disorientation
Mood swings
Vertigo
Tremors
Similarly, symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease include the following:
Tremors
Slowness in movements
Balance problems
Muscle stiffness
Fatigue
Difficulties speaking and writing
Sleep disorders
Loss of smell
Depression
Cognitive changes
The purpose of this article is to explain why and how mold could be a possible cause of Parkinson’s Disease.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain’s reward and pleasure centers.
Dopamine also helps regulate movement and emotional responses, and it enables us not only to see rewards, but to take action to move toward them.
Parkinson’s disease (PD), discovered by Dr. James Parkinson in 1817, is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system caused by the death of dopamine-generating cells in a region of the midbrain, substantia nigra.
10 Key Stats and Facts About PD In The United States
Currently, there is no cure for PD.
PD is treated with medications, exercise programs, speech therapy. Deep brain stimulation is another treatment option that has worked on some PD patients.
The cause of PD is not known. There are many theories, including environmental factors such as pesticide exposure from two pesticides, paraquat and rotenone, commonly used by farmers affecting populations living in rural communities. The other main thrust of research focuses on genetic factors because 15% of PD patients have first-degree relatives that also suffered from PD.
As many as one million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease each year, and this number does not reflect the thousands of cases that go undetected.
An estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease.
Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age, but an estimated four percent of people with PD are diagnosed before the age of 50.
Men are one and a half times more likely to have Parkinson’s than women.
The combined direct and indirect cost of Parkinson’s, including treatment, social security payments and lost income from inability to work, is estimated to be nearly $25 billion per year in the United States alone.
Medication costs for an individual person with PD average $2,500 a year, and therapeutic surgery can cost up to $100,000 dollars per patient.
10 Key Stats and Facts About PD In The United States
Can Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) Affect Dopamine?
According to EMLab, MVOCS are:
“composed of low molecular weight alcohols, aldehydes, amines, ketones, terpenes, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, and sulfur-based compounds, all of which are variations of carbon-based molecules. MVOC’s have a very low odor threshold, thus, making them easily detectable by smell. They often have strong odors and are responsible for the odious smells (“old cheese”, “dirty socks” or “locker room”) associated with mold and bacterial growth….In the indoor environment, exposure to fungal MVOC’s has been blamed for headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.”
One of the reasons that people get sick from molds like Aspergillus, Chaetomium, and Penicillium, is they release MVOCs.
According to researchers from Rutgers and Emory Universities–Arati A. Inamdara, Muhammad M. Hossain, Alison I. Bernstein, Gary W. Miller, Jason R. Richardson, and Joan Wennstrom Bennett–MVOCs can have an impact on dopamine production in the brain.
In their research paper, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Fungal-derived semiochemical 1-octen-3-ol disrupts dopamine packaging and causes neurodegeneration, researchers hypothesized that MVOCs have the potential to damage dopamine and cause PD symptoms:
“Parkinson’s has been linked to exposure to environmental toxins, but the toxins were man-made chemicals. In this paper, we show that biologic compounds have the potential to damage dopamine and cause Parkinson’s symptoms.”
Lead researcher, Joan Wennstrom Bennett, who was a previous critic of Sick Building Syndrome, hypothesized that MVOCs made her sick because she experienced the health impact that mold can have after her home became infested with mold during Hurricane Katrina. In her words:
“I felt horrible – headaches, dizziness, nausea. I knew something about ‘sick building syndrome’ but until then I didn’t believe in it. I didn’t think it would be possible to breathe in enough mold spores to get sick.”
To prove her hypothesis, the team of researchers studied the effect that the MVOC, 1-octen-3-ol, also known as mushroom alcohol, had on the movement of fruit flies.
The researchers discovered that mushroom alcohol causes two genes involved in the packaging and transport of dopamine to malfunction causing the neurons to degenerate.
Not surprisingly, the fruit fruit flies’ movement was impacted.
The researchers proved that MVOCs impact dopamine which is one of the key causes of PD.
This is an important discovery because it creates further questions about the current hypothesis that the main cause of PD is pesticides and genetics. As stated by Inamdar:
“Our work suggests that 1-octen-3-ol might also be connected to the disease, particularly for people with a genetic susceptibility to it. We’ve given the epidemiologists some new avenues to explore.”
Considering the similarities in symptoms between PD and CIRS, and the fact that there is now some research evidence proving that MVOCs, a by-product of mold growth, can impact dopamine function in the brain, this does raise a critical question:
What percentage of PD patients are sick because of mold exposure?
Questions? Mold B Gone is here to help! If you suspect that mold is making you sick, call us, (470) 545-4467 or contact us via e-mail for further assistance.
Our goal is to help you live a healthier and happy life.
Most importantly, we truly empathize with your situation and are committed to helping you and guarantee our services.
What Is The Link Between #Mold and Parkinson’s Disease?: Does Mold Cause Parkinson’s Disease? The purpose of this article is to explain why and how mold could be a possible cause of Parkinson’s Disease.
Mold Removal Is Referred To As “Mold Remediation” Because Professionals Follow These 8 Steps
Our previous article explained why you should consider a mold inspection when you purchase a home. The purpose of this article is to outline why you need to hire a professional when you do find mold that needs to be removed.
DO NOT Hire Your Friend, The Contractor, To Remove Mold From Your Home!
One of the biggest concerns that most home owners have pertains to the cost of mold removal.
Because of the expense that mold removal poses, the human tendency is to try to find the best deal. However, be wary of contractors or friends that offer to remove your mold, particularly if they have no training or experience.
Do not fall for the sales pitch or claims that mold can be remediated with ozone or other types of machines that kill mold.
Another potential claim made by some removal companies is that they can just fog your home or spray a bunch of chemicals and the mold will magically disappear.
Contractors that offer these types of solutions are not professionals because they are just trying to kill the mold, which as we explained in a previous article, is not a proper method for long term mold removal.
Educate Yourself About Mold!
One of the reasons we post articles about mold is to educate our readers; an informed consumer is able to make better choices.
Moisture Is The Key!
Before addressing any mold problem, the most important concern is to first find the moisture problem that is causing the mold to grow in the first place.
Mold needs three ingredients.
First, a food source. Most homes present an ample food source for mold because they are made of dead material that mold loves to eat: high cellulose materials such as paper and wood, drywall, wallpaper, carpet, ceiling tiles, dust, and dirt.
Second, the right climate: mold flourishes when the temperature ranges from 41 degrees fahrenheit up to 100 degrees fahrenheit.
Third, and most importantly, a moisture source. Without moisture, mold can not thrive and grow. If you smell or see mold, then you have a problem because there is a moisture source in your home. Moisture is usually caused by leaks in pipes and/or the roof, sewer backups, flooding, condensation, etc.
There Is No Easy Fix For Mold Removal!
Any contractor that says there is an easy fix for mold removal, does not understand the biology of mold and does not realize that mold is designed to consume dead organic material and is an active part of our eco-system.
Unfortunately, the good that mold does by recycling dead material in our environment can cause significant harm when it grows indoors. First, mold can make you sick, causing asthma, sinusitis, and other health conditions. Second, as the mold eats away at your property, it will cause the wood to rot and eventually lead to structural integrity issues, ultimately reducing the value of the home.
When you encounter mold in your home, do not hire contractors that just want to tear out the contaminated materials and spray chemicals, particularly if their whole procedure involves killing the mold. It is not just about killing mold because dead mold spores can be just as harmful as live ones.
Mold is everywhere because it is a living fungi. The survival mechanism of mold is to disperse spores and find more areas to grow on and populate itself. When you have mold inside of your home, understand that the number one concern of mold remediation professionals is to prevent the mold from spreading, ie. to contain it and prevent cross-contamination. Then, once the containment is set up, the process of addressing the mold problem can begin.
Get YES Answers To These Questions Before Hiring A Contractor!
Before you hire any contractor to remediate the mold in your property, be sure to consider the following questions:
Is the contractor prepared to give you a written contract/change order?
Is the contractor prepared to provide you with a remediation plan?
Is the contractor prepared to provide you with a post-remediation report?
Is the contractor prepared to recommend independent indoor environmental professionals that can provide you with a post-remediation verification report? This is very important because this report determines whether or not the remediation has been successful.
Does the contractor set up containment to prevent cross contamination?
Does the contractor use negative air machines and air scrubbers to clean the air?
Is the contractor willing to provide you with referrals and their contact details?
Does the contractor use DOP (Dispersed Oil Particulate) tested equipment which is a process that tests the integrity of the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters used?
If you get NO answers to any of the above questions, then re-consider hiring this contractor.
Mold Remediation Professionals Are Building Doctors!
When you are sick, you go to a Doctor because you want the best treatment possible to get healthy.
Similarly, if you have mold, hire a mold remediation professional because they are Building Doctors, whose objective is to cure the property of toxic mold so you can live a better, healthier life.
Like health care professionals, mold remediation specialists take specialized courses and training to ensure that they can properly eliminate the mold problems of their customers.
To ensure a long term fix hire a mold remediation professional that uses the following 8 Step Mold Remediation Process.
8 Step Mold Remediation Process
Step 1: Assess The Cause of The Contamination
During the mold inspection, the professional consultant will identify the source of the water infiltration that is causing the mold contamination.
During this step, the consultant will also identify the extent of the mold growth to ensure that all areas of growth can be addressed.
The next step is to create a work plan, also known as a scope of work.
It is important that if the mold inspector you hire to do the initial investigation also does the remediation work, then a Third Party should be hired to do post-remediation verification, which is step 8 in the process.
Step 2: Identify the Species of the Mold
During the mold inspection, samples of the mold will be taken using swab or tape samples. Air quality tests may also be done. The samples are then sent to an accredited laboratory which will provide a report outlining what species of mold are present.
This report is important for three key reasons:
This report is important because it helps the mold remediation professional determine the hazard level. Some mold species, like stachybotrys, pose greater hazards and may require additional safety procedures to protect the occupants of the property.
Identifying the species also helps determine the most cost effective method to resolve the mold problem.
Identifying the species can also help health care professionals determine if health concerns may be related to the mold contamination.
Step 3: Scope of Work
Once the investigation is complete, the remediation plan / scope of work can be completed.
This step is important because it addresses what caused the mold and all of the safety protocols required for the remediation to be successful.
Step 4: Containment, Decontamination Chambers & Negative Air
The area is contained and negative air pressures are set and regularly monitored to prevent cross contamination of mold spores and mycotoxins to other areas of the home.
During the mold removal and remediation process mold spores become disrupted meaning spore counts can increase 10 to 100 times.
Proper procedures, containment and HEPA filtration equipment are required to prevent cross contamination.
Without these controls, the situation can become much worse than the original issue.
Step 5: Removal of the Mold
Once the containment and decontamination chamber is set up, and required negative air pressure levels are achieved the mold is removed.
Mold damaged materials such as drywall, carpet, underlay, and other porous materials are removed and disposed.
Non-porous and some semi-porous materials can be cleaned and decontaminated.
Damaged or moldy materials that are removed are then bagged or sealed with plastic sheathing before removal from the containment to prevent cross contamination.
Step 6: Odor Removal
Mold contamination can create offensive odors such as a musty basement smell.
Carbon filters are utilized to assist in the elimination of odors from the area during the remediation process.
Specialized treatments and air cleaners may be required to ensure odors do not return in the future.
Step 7: Cleaning, HEPA Vacuuming & Air Scrubbing
Once the mold contaminated materials are removed, the area must be thoroughly cleaned using antimicrobial treatments on hard surfaces and HEPA vacuuming on the porous surfaces to remove the residual mold spores.
The air must also be scrubbed and purified to remove mold spores and mycotoxins using approved DOP tested HEPA air scrubbing equipment.
Step 8: Post Remediation Verification
Post remediation verification must be conducted by an approved third party to ensure that the environment has been brought back to a normal fungal ecology suitable for occupancy.
The final clearance investigation must include a visual inspection using specialized instrumentation and a full range of air quality and surface sampling.
Questions? Mold B Gone is here to help! If you think you have mold, call us, 678-697-6267 or contact us via e-mail for further assistance.
Our goal is to help you live a healthier and happy life.
Most importantly, we truly empathize with your situation and are committed to helping you and guarantee our services.
8 Steps To #Mold Remediation Success!: Mold Removal Is Referred To As “Mold Remediation” Because Professionals Follow These 8 Steps. This article explains the steps and why you need to hire a pro!
Top 3 Reasons A Mold Inspection Is Essential When You Buy A Home!
Top 3 Reasons A Mold Inspection Is Essential When You Buy A Home!
How Reliable Is Your Home Inspection?
The process of buying a home is an exciting process. You have big plans for your new home! You are looking forward to the future in your dream home to raise your family.
But in all the excitement, many home buyers forget about the future problems that mold and past moisture issues could have caused. This fact is ignored because many home buyers think a home inspection is a enough to protect them from future and costly repair problems. This is the #1 mistake home buyers make; home inspectors are not mold experts!
The worst case scenario is you move your family and all your possessions into your new home and eventually discover mold. Now what? You can ignore the problem which could cause future health and structural concerns for your property or you make the financial decision to deal with your mold problem.
Both options can be costly. Ignoring the problem will reduce your property value as the mold eats away at your home, not to mention the potential health issues. Addressing the mold concern can also be costly because proper remediation needs to be done by professionals.
This article explains why you should submit an offer to purchase, subject to a home inspection AND a mold inspection. It also reveals the top 3 reasons to have a mold inspection before buying a home.
What Is Mold?
A fungus, some molds are visible, in various colors–black, white, green, gray–and will likely give off a smell.
Mold is nature’s recycler. It is everywhere because it has an important purpose in our eco-system: to breakdown and eat dead organic matter.
Mold needs three important ingredients to grow.
First, a food source, dead organic material like wood, paper, carpet, etc.
Second, the ideal temperature of 41 degrees fahrenheit up to 100 degrees fahrenheit.
Third, and most importantly, moisture. Without moisture, mold will not grow.
Why Is Mold A Problem?
Aside from the structural and health concerns (asthma and chronic sinusitis for example) that mold poses, the other major concern is that mold is often out of sight and difficult to see.
Common reasons and areas of the home that mold can be found include:
Around leaking pipes, windows, or roofs. Water provides mold spores the moisture they need to grow.
Basements or other areas of the home that have flooded and were not dried properly.
Common with new construction is the practice of tightly sealing the building, which can trap moisture leading to mold growth.
Poorly ventilated homes that does not enable outside air to circulate in the home.
Some other clues that there could be mold in the home include the following:
Water stains on the walls and ceilings.
Musty odors in areas of the home like the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, and basement, where leaky pipes are commonly found.
Standing water in the basement.
Be particularly careful if you are looking at purchasing a foreclosed home. These homes are susceptible to mold growth because cost saving measures by the banks usually means they will shut down the HVAC system, which is a major concern because it results in high humidity levels and ultimately mold growth.
If you are buying a new home, you may think that mold will not be an issue either. New does not necessarily mean mold free for several reasons:
The trend towards building energy efficient homes may save money on heating and cooling. The negative, however, is that by building homes so that they are air tight could result in a lack of proper ventilation, leading to mold growth.
Simple construction errors like installing the vapor barrier when there is moisture present. This error will lead to mold growth because the moisture is trapped.
The time of year the home was built could also be a factor. If the home was built when there was lots of rain and the foundation was not allowed to completely dry before installing the insulation and vapor barrier, then moisture could be trapped behind the walls.
Cost saving construction measures is another factor. Home builders are using more Orient Strand Board (OSB) and less plywood and timber which provided some resistance to mold because these materials are semi-porous. In contrast, OSB and particle board are porous and susceptible to mold growth.
Top 3 Reasons To Have a Mold Inspection Before Buying a Home
Aside from the peace of mind that mold inspection offers, here are the top three reasons why you should consider a mold inspection when you buy a home:
1. Mold Remediation Can Be Costly!
2. Real Estate Agents Are Not Mold Experts!
3. Home Inspectors Are Not Mold Experts!
#1 Mold Remediation Can Be Costly!
As stated in an earlier article, the cost of mold remediation will depend on three key factors:
1. How much of the area is infected with mold?
2. What kind of materials are infected?
3. How easy is it to access the mold?
On average, the typical household mold removal project will range from $2,000 to $6,000, but can be as high as $30,000 or more depending on the extent of contamination.
Considering the potential cost of mold removal, you are much better off finding out if there is a potential mold problem before purchasing the home. A mold inspection will provide you with the data you require to make an informed decision.
Best case scenario, no mold is found. Worst case scenario, mold is found, but then if you still have your heart set on the home, at least you now have some negotiating power to bring down the price so the home can be properly remediated before you move in.
#2 Real Estate Agents Are Not Mold Experts!
The goal of every real estate professional is to list and sell homes. They will only make their commission when the property sells, so they have significant motivation to do what it takes to facilitate the sale. Their end goal is pretty defined: sell the home and collect the commission.
In addition, real estate agents are sales and marketing professionals, they are not construction experts and likely know very little about mold, where it could be found, and why it is a problem.
When listing a home, the agent is relying on the honesty and integrity of the seller who fills in a property disclosure form. If the seller fails to disclose a mold problem that has not been fixed and is trying to hide the mold problem by painting over it or trying to hide it, how is the agent going to know. How will you know?
Buyers should pay close attention to the property disclosure form because it could provide you with clues of potential moisture problems that could cause mold. Some clues include YES answers to these types of questions:
Is the property in a flood hazard area or an inland wetlands area?
Does the home have basement water, seepage, or dampness issues?
Has the home had roof leaks?
Does the home have any rot and water damage problems?
Does the home have any water drainage problems?
Does the home have any sump pump problems?
#3 Home Inspectors Are Not Mold Experts!
Mold sickness is considered a hidden epidemic for two key reasons. First, most physicians are not trained to identify or treat mold illness. Second, most homes have mold, but the owners do not realize they have mold because it is hidden.
Since some people get sick from mold and other’s do not, a family could have been living in a moldy home and never experienced any major health concerns. In short, a seller of a home could have mold and not know because mold can be hidden underneath carpet, a new paint job, baseboards, behind walls, above ceiling, etc.
Taking this into consideration, when you hire a home inspector, their primary concern is not to identify if the home has mold. Rather, they are inspecting the overall structural integrity of the home, the roof, wiring, bathrooms, plumbing, etc.
A home inspector may point out water stains or moisture concerns in areas of the home, advise you that your basement has an odor, identify water seepage or a leaky roof, but they will not tell you if you have mold, what type of mold you have, and how extensive the mold problem is.
As a final note, like many business owners, home inspectors rely on referrals. Not surprisingly, one of the biggest sources of referrals tends to be real estate agents, whose primary objective is to sell property. Mold concerns present challenges to home sellers and their agents. Could there be a potential conflict of interest?
Concluding Remarks On The Importance Of A Mold Inspection
Likely, the last concern you have when you are purchasing a home is the potential problems that mold could cause. Once you find your dream home, you want to submit your offer and close the deal.
However, I caution against being too hasty. In addition to hiring a reputable home inspector, seriously consider the services of a mold inspector.
Mold inspectors are trained to not only identify the moisture issue causing the mold but will also provide you with information on what type of mold is growing in your home and how extensive the problem is.
As mentioned earlier, the best case scenario is that no mold is found in your home.
However, if the mold inspector does find a mold problem it is better to be aware of the problem so that you can adjust your offer, subject to mold removal by the seller along with proper clearance letters. If the seller does not want to cover the cost of the removal, then at least you can factor in the cost of the mold removal into the purchase price.
Bottom line, it is better to be safe and informed, then sorry. The relative cost of a mold inspection is minor compared to the overall investment into the home and the potential costly headaches you will face if you have to pay for mold removal in the future.
Questions? We are mold inspection, detection, and removalexperts. Call us, 678-697-6267, or contact us via e-mail. We look forward to serving you! 🙂
The #1 Mistake Home Buyers Make!: Top 3 Reasons A #Mold Inspection Is Essential! This article explains why you should submit an offer to purchase, subject to a home AND mold inspection!
You Could Be Sick From Mold, But Are Not Aware Of It!
Working, researching, and writing about mold since 2011 has taught me one critical lesson:most people sick from mold do not realize that mold is making them sick.
Unfortunately, the burden of determining if mold is the cause of the sickness, is usually up to the patient. This conclusion is based upon over a dozen interviews I have conducted with mold survivors that began in 2013 when I worked with a company in Western Canada and currently with Wonder Makers Environmental as their Marketing Director.
As stated in a previous blog, I have learned five key lessons during these interviews:
There is a lack of appreciation in the medical community of the impact mold can have on certain individuals.
Symptoms from mold sickness are broad, leading to multiple mis-diagnosis of patients by many doctors.
Mold sensitized individuals seek help from multiple medical practitioners because their illnesses continue.
The mold sensitized individual eventually learns that mold has been the cause of their sickness.
Because traditional remediation approaches do not adequately address their sensitivities, mold sensitized individuals often are forced to seek alternative shelters.
The purpose of this article is to explain the top three reasons that mold sickness is a hidden epidemic.
#1 Hidden Mold!
One of the major points made by the one hour documentary, MOLDY is that hidden mold is a huge concern. Simply put, the dramatic photos you see showing full-scale infestations of black mold after floods and hurricanes are the exception not the rule.
The seven areas listed below are the most common areas in a home where you will find mold.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
The most common area where you will find mold is under the sinks because of leaks.
Appliances
Another potential source of leaks are your refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machines. Check behind and under the appliances for mold.
Roof
If you notice water stains on the ceilings, then your roof could be leaking which will cause mold if the leak is not repaired.
Windows
If you have condensation in the home, you will likely find mold on the window sills and around the windows.
Basement
If there is high humidity in your home, then check your basement and other areas of the home for mold.
Closets
Leaky pipes, high humidity, and other sources of moisture can result in hidden mold in your closets. If there are boxes in the closet, move them and check the walls and floor for mold.
Crawl Spaces
Moisture in your crawl space will cause mold to grow.
According to the documentary:
At least 45 million buildings in the United Stats have unhealthy levels of mold.
You have a 33% chance of being exposed to toxic mold when you move into a new home, apartment or office. The documentary also emphasizes the fact that many foods are contaminated with mold, including corn, peanuts, and coffee.
Approximately 28 percent of the population have genes that make them highly susceptible to mold-related health issues.
Despite the fact that mold is a significant health concern, like lead and asbestos, there are no federal environmental protections laws.
The number one reason mold is an epidemic; it is hidden and makes people sick.
#2 Building Practices Encourage Mold Growth
Modern day building building practices promote mold growth because homes are built with materials that mold loves to eat: wood, drywall, carpet, etc.
Moisture is the key component mold needs to grow and thrive. With this in mind, mold growth is a problem that can be prevented.
Unfortunately, according to the MOLDY documentary, at least 50 percent of homes in the United States have water damage issues caused by water line leaks, tears in moisture vapor barriers, leaky showers, condensation under eaves, and water pooling in crawl spaces. It is this water damage which causes mold to grow.
Improving building practices to prevent moisture issues is the single most effective way to prevent mold.
#3 Doctors Are Not Educated on Mold Sickness
Possibly every doctor in the United States is treating mold illness, and they just don’t realize it. (Dr. Scott McMahon, MD)
One of the key points made by the MOLDY documentary: most Physicians are unable to properly diagnose mold sickness patients because they do not have the knowledge or training.
According to Hilesca Hidalgo, a woman I interviewed earlier this year:
There is such a huge gap in care when it comes to mold illness that I found it extremely frustrating. I believe every medical assessment should include the question “have you been in a water damaged building?” There were many times that I felt so alone and with so little support that I didn’t know what to do. Luckily I have met some wonderful people in the many mold support groups that I have joined. The amount of people inflicted with mold illness and co-infections is unbelievable! So many have been misdiagnosed and unable to find medical help. They have shared their experiences and their healing and really helped guide me in finding my healing journey.
The experience of Hilesca Hidalgo is a common experience faced by most individuals battling mold sickness.
Your best defense is to first verify that your home has mold which can be done through a professional mold inspection.
Once mold is verified, then seek out an environmental physician with experience dealing with mold afflicted patients. To find listings of environmental doctors throughout the world, click here.
Once you are diagnosed, you need to follow the medical treatment designed to detox your body and allow your immune system to recover and begin to regain its strength. The detox strategy will be prescribed by your physician who will likely recommend that you remove yourself from the property that has been making you sick until it is safe to occupy again.
As stated by Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, interviewed in the MOLDY documentary:
If you think you have a mold illness, there’s a way out….One, you have to get rid of it in your environment and Two, you have to get it out of your body, and Three, you have to repair the damage that has been done.
Questions? Mold B Gone is here to help! If you suspect that mold is making you sick, call us, 678-697-6267 or contact us via e-mail for further assistance.
Our goal is to help you live a healthier and happy life.
Most importantly, we truly empathize with your situation and are committed to helping you and guarantee our services.
Is #Mold Sickness A Hidden Epidemic?: Top 3 Reasons Mold Sickness Is A Hidden Epidemic! You could be sick from mold and not even know it. This article explains why mold is a hidden epidemic!
In her blog, Blindsided By Mold: A True Story About A Bathroom Renovation Gone Bad—So Very, Very Bad, Trish Holder documented her battle with mold that resulted directly from a bathroom renovation project. As opposed to hiring a contractor with experience and a solid understanding of the potential risks caused by mold, she chose to hire her friend, who was a contractor.
The contractor renovated her bathroom, but did not install the shower liner and tile properly. The end result was moisture intrusion that led to a significant mold infestation that took two months and resulted in 10s of thousands of dollars worth of damage.
Trish was lucky because the contractor took full responsibility for the problem and paid for all the mold removal and reconstruction. This is a best case scenario!
But what if the contractor you hired caused the mold problem and did not pay to fix it? Then what?
The key to avoiding this type of problem is to do your due diligence when you hire a contractor. Get references, check their BBB record, find out how much experience they have, talk to other home owners who used their services, etc. Do your homework. In other words, don’t just hire the cheapest option, but the best option that can help you avoid a potential moldy nightmare!
The best option when hiring a contractor is to work with a company that has prior experience with mold testing, mold removal, and IAQ testing because they know how to prevent mold from spreading. There are many contractors, like Mold B Gone, that not only specialize in mold, but also reconstruction and renovations.
The remainder of this article will answer these three questions:
Why could I have mold in my home?
What should I do if I find mold during the renovation project?
What can I do to prevent future mold problems?
Why Could I Have Mold In My Home?
According to some experts, mold is present in up to 60% of the homes in the United States.
For this reason, D.S. Berenson, an attorney with the Washington firm Johanson Berenson, stated the following:
“Mold should be treated by contractors with respect. It’s not a fire drill or a joke. The situation is no different than when a contractor encounters some other variable (asbestos, radon, lead paint) that he isn’t equipped to handle.”
The key ingredient mold needs to grow and thrive is moisture.
Unfortunately, there are ample sources of moisture in a home that could be caused by water damage from leaky pipes, a leaky roof, shower walls with cracks, foundations that allow moisture intrusion, excessive humidity of 70%, past flooding issues, etc.
People have this mis-conception that mold is only found in old homes. However, this is not true.
A disturbing trend is the fact that mold is often found in newer homes. The prevalence of mold in newer homes is directly related to the trend towards building energy efficient homes, which prevents drafts and cross-ventilation. Sealing homes tight with vapor barriers, traps moisture. The other problem is builders tend to use cheaper materials to build homes, opting for OSB, which acts like a sponge when it gets wet, contributing to mold growth.
Since mold could be in 6 out of 10 homes, if you are considering a renovation or remodeling project, then it is very important that you understand what to do if you find mold…
What Should I Do If I Find Mold During The Renovation Project?
Many Do It Yourselfers that take on home renovation projects like interior painting, kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovation, floor replacement, and window replacement, rarely understand the risks of mold. Even if they do, they may not know how to ensure that the mold contamination is prevented from spreading throughout the home.
The biggest risk you encounter by doing the renovation yourself or hiring an inexperienced contractor is cross contamination, meaning the spores spread throughout the home. You need to contain the area where you find mold to prevent this from happening. Most importantly, prevent the spores from entering your HVAC system, to prevent contamination of the duct system, spreading spores into every area of the home.
With this in mind, if you find mold during the tear down process of drywall, removal of carpet or flooring, and/or during the removal of bathroom fixtures such as the tub, shower liner, etc. your first priority is to determine the extent of the problem. If you are not sure how to do this, call a professional mold inspector.
Before you do anything, determine what the underlying moisture issue is because mold only grows when there is moisture present. Further renovations and reconstruction should only commence once the underlying cause of the moisture problem, i.e. the moisture source is identified and fixed. Failure to do this will result in future costly headaches if this step is not taken.
For mold problems under 50 square feet, like a few patches on a wall, then you can likely manage the mold problem yourself.
It is worth getting a formal mold inspection and/or air quality test on your home before you decide to remove any mold yourself. It is better to be cautious, particularly when you are dealing with mold because exposure can cause health issues.
If you decide to remove the mold yourself make sure you keep these tips in mind:
Prevent cross contamination by setting up a containment, using poly you can get from your local hardware store. Also, be sure to close off any vents in the area of mold removal.
Understand that mold can be toxic, so be safe. Wear protective googles, rubber gloves, a dust mask, and protective clothing, preferably a tyvek suit.
Don’t just spray the mold contaminated materials with bleach, praying your mold problem will go away. Bleach is not effective on porous materials, so it is best to throw out contaminated ceiling tiles, carpet, underpad, drywall, etc. Double bag and dispose of mold contaminated materials properly.
Mold contamination on non-porous materials can be scrubbed or brushed off. You may also find some biocides and fungicides at your local hardware store or online that could be effective.
If you encounter mold, under no circumstances should you ignore it. Address your mold problem to prevent:
Your property value from declining. Understand that as long as the conditions are present for mold growth, it will thrive and grow. Mold is like a parasite or cancer and will continue to feed on your home, causing wood to rot, and future structural integrity issues.
Ensure vapour barriers and insulation are in good condition and properly placed.
If there is a moisture event such as a flood or major leak, dry the materials as soon as possible. To prevent mold growth, wet materials need to be dried or removed within 24 to 48 hours.
Monitor humidity levels with a hygrometer. Humidity levels should be maintained between 30 percent to 50 percent.
Reduce indoor mold spore counts with cross-ventilation by opening windows and doors to allow fresh air in.
Properly seal windows, insulate cold water pipes and air conditioning vents to prevent condensation-related moisture issues.
Clean and repair eaves troughs and downspouts regularly so that water flows away from the foundation of your home.
If your home or basement has excessive humidity, use a dehumidifier, and consider water proofing your basement, particularly if it is susceptible to moisture intrusion.
Use your senses to monitor areas of your home that are most likely to develop mold: bathrooms, kitchens, basements and attics. Visual clues likes surface discoloration and musty, earthy smells are clues that you may have mold growing in these areas.
When cooking or showering turn on the kitchen and bathroom fans to prevent excess moisture, humidity and condensation issues. Ideally run the fans for 30 to 60 minutes.
