The Mold In Your Home Could Be Killing You
Something important that you need to realize is that not all molds are toxic in nature. There are such things as cosmetic molds that do not pose any real threat to human beings or pets, such as Ceratocystis.
This is blue stain mold or blue rot and is nowhere near the same thing as Stachybotrys atra, the frightening toxic black mold, seen on the news. Ceratocystis does not rot the wood, is not harmful to human beings, and does not spread.
The following is a simple guide on how to remove this cosmetic mold from smooth wooden surfaces. If some of the wood framing in your home has been contaminated by Ceratocystis mold, then it can be possible to clean these and remove the mold contamination in some cases.
If the contaminated wood is located on the exterior, you can use more violent methods of cleanup such as power-washing or sandblasting, but this is not recommended for use indoors. Spreading mold spores and debris throughout the house is a problem when these powered methods are used inside the house.
The best thing for removing surface mold from framing lumber is to use a sponge that has been wet with a mixture of water and borax laundry detergent. This is not to produce a completely particle-free wooden surface, but only to remove all of the surface mold. Do not use a sponge in one area and then use the same sponge in another, because of the risks of cross-contamination. Five tablespoons of trisodium phosphate mixed in a gallon of water can be used to clean up mold stains after any loose particles have been removed.
Sanding mold off of a surface is an option as long as the mold is a cosmetic one and the initial cause of the mold’s growth has been removed. High humidity indoors or leaks inside the house can restart this growth, so make sure that these issues have been resolved before attempting to sand away a cosmetic mold. A spraying method may be better than a sanding method of removal for large areas.
Before you treat the areas you have cleaned any further, the surface needs to be completely dry and the cause of the mold growth removed, in the case that the mold was not on the lumber at the time of construction.
Mold-resistant varnishes are available and have some advantages and disadvantages. Something good about sealants is that using them after a remediation project can immobilize the particles left inside some hard to reach cracks and crevices in the wood and stop them from re-growing and they will most likely reduce how much moisture the wood absorbs in the future. These sealants and sprays are never to be used as a substitute for thoroughly removing the mold, however.
Jim Corkern
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/the-mold-in-your-home-could-be-killing-you-305660.html
Could the mold be killing me?
Now, I am not someone that has ever had allergies to ANYTHING.
It all started two weeks ago when I got a bloody nose. Strange I thought because I hadn’t had one of these since I was 3. I was a little worried, but I ignored it. For the following weekend I continued to get nosebleeds, usually when I was sleeping. Within in the following days, I started to feel lightheaded, forgetful, and nauseaus. I started to get concerned. My ears were hurting and ringing, so I went to the doctor. She did some basis neurological testing and inspecting and sent me home saying she though that I had a viral infection. I didn’t believe her.
I then started to get what felt like bad cramps, and I started with my period even though it was not my time of month, and I am on birth control AND it was different (if your a woman, you know what I am saying) I thought I was miscarrying after feeling incredibly nasueus and almost feeling like I was going to pass out while driving. I went to the urgent care. They said I was fine and not pregnant. That following weekend I continued to feel sick when I ate, extremely tired, and I started to get a lot of body aches. I woke up this past monday feeling like I was having a heart attack, this lasted for about 30 minutes off and on. I made another doctors appointment, but before going in, I decided to look into the mold factor. I KNOW I have black mold in my apartment, but I didn’t think there was enough. Because there is only mold on the windows, doors, and a few drains. My symptoms matched mold symptom for symptom. I called the apartment complex, and they want me to be here while they do the inspection and decide on treatment, so I have to wait until friday. I have a small air filter in my room, and I bought a fan for ventilation in the living room. I am also keeping all windows open. I continue to feel very sick and have no appetite, I am light headed, sore, anxious, and depressed. The doctor says there is nothing she can do for me. I don’t know if I am going to die or? I am starting to get worried for my health. Is there any way the apartment will be able to get rid of it all or will I have to move? I have only lived here 4 months if that makes a difference.
And I attempted to clean some about the time I got sick, I am sure that had something to do with it…
Thank you so much!!!!
Black mold can be deadly. Don’t try to clean it yourself, hire a professional. Actually, since you live in an apartment, you need to contact management immediately and let them hire one. Black Mold is a "must take care of" issue for management, it’s against the law. You have a lawsuit on your hands, get a lawyer immediately!
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