The Real Estate Browser Volume 9, Issue 9 | Page 20

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nose , and sinus conditions . Whether these illnesses are caused by mold , mold by-products , dust mites , chemicals emitted from deteriorating surfaces , or indoor air pollution , remains a subject for further research .
This may seem like scientific hair-splitting to an average person who simply wants to live and work in nuisance-free environments . Whether or not scientists agree on the cause of illnesses that might occur in damp places , or even the definition of dampness , there are abundant reasons to keep indoor environments clean and dry . This process begins with determining the source ( s ) of excess moisture , taking necessary steps to eliminate those sources , getting rid of mold that may already be in place , and keeping the area dry afterwards to minimize the potential for further growth of mold .
People who feel they are ill should seek medical care to establish a diagnosis and course of treatment , rather than relying on self-appointed “ experts ” who advertise unfounded “ cures ” on the internet .
Take-Home Messages :
Mold is a non-scientific term for many types of fungi - unwanted , unappealing patches of black , brown , yellow , pink , green , smelly , fuzzy growths . Countless species of mold are found both indoors and outdoors .
Although mold and its spores are literally everywhere , active mold growth requires moisture . Whether on visible surfaces or hiding behind drywall , in attics , or under carpets , indoor mold grows in the presence of excessive dampness or water . Also found in damp indoor environments are : infections . ( Some health effects attributed to mold may in fact be caused by bacteria , dust mites , etc ., found in mold-colonized environments . So-called “ toxic mold ” has been claimed as the cause of “ toxic mold disease ”; this syndrome remains undefined and “ toxic mold ” as a cause remains unproven . “ Toxic mold ” is also unproven as a cause of the various symptoms associated with “ sick building syndrome ”.) Mold growth in homes , schools , and businesses should be eliminated for the sake of human health , structural integrity , and quality of life . Cleaning up small amounts of mold can be done by homeowners . Eliminating mold from large areas requires expertise and protection both for the removal specialists and occupants of the affected space .
Rose Ann Gould Soloway , RN , BSN , MSEd , DABAT emerita Clinical Toxicologist
I thought this was a great article after all the rain we have had I know there have been many wet basements . If you have any mold concerns or questions please give me a call .
-- Drew Howard , 434-660-3449
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• bacteria ;
• dust mites ;
• break-down products of bacteria and molds , such as proteins , cell-wall particles ( glucans ) and volatile organic compounds ( the actual cause of the musty odor associated with mold );
• airborne chemicals , gasses , and particulate matter caused by destruction of materials by growing molds .
Indoor mold may be unsightly and smelly , but the potential problems are more serious than that . By definition , activelygrowing mold damages the material it lives on , thereby impairing structural integrity . In addition , mold is associated with some untoward health effects in humans , including allergies and