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| | The Smart Healthy Toxic-Free and Organic/Green Living Network is not currently active and cannot accept new posts | | Awareness of Mold in Homes AND on the Internet????? | Views: 636 | | Jun 14, 2006 12:28 am | | Awareness of Mold in Homes AND on the Internet????? | # | 
Connie Clark | |
Excerpt from story by Emily McDonald, Staff Writer, published in the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Sunday, September 9, 2001
Mold is not a new problem, but is currently receiving a lot of attention because of news reports about houses made inhabitable by the proliferation of toxic mold.
The publicity has focused on toxic mold (mold containing mycotoxins) and its link to serious health problems and has resulted in a new awareness of the problem of mold growth in general.
Molds are linked to "everything from asthma to headaches and are extremely toxic in allergic reactions," said Dr. Hill Craddock, and assistant professor of biological and environmental sciences at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. "They can cause sudden death to an asthmatic person," he said, citing Legionnaire's Disease as one of he most famous toxic diseases caused by mold.
Mold is often discovered during an indoor air quality inspection that involves the entire house, which costs around $550. Mold can be hidden behind sheet rock or inside duct work or crawl space.
The most common kinds of molds include stachybotrys, aspergillus, penicillium and cladosporium. They can grow anywhere there is water damage, high humidity or dampness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says considering all molds a potential health risk and removing mold growth is more important than determining the type of mold involved.
Houses being built of wood represents the simplest reason for the existence of mold, Dr. Craddock said. "Wood rots and then we put things in our houses that are potential sources for mold." These sources include wood, wood fiber and cellulose fiber. Things like draperies, wallpaper, and cellulose insulation provide something for mold, which is a fungus, to eat.
Humidity is the second most important factor in the development of mold, he said. "We live in an area that is humid, and humidity in the air is probably sufficient for these molds." Additionally, the area gets a lot of rain. "You've got to absolutely keep the water out of your house," Dr. Craddock said. That means keeping the roof in good repair, caulking around all the windows and openings, making sure the water in gutters moves away from the house and its foundations.
Ironically, he said, houses are sealed so well that air doesn't circulate. "One of the enemies of the house is an ally of mold. You really need to get the air moving. That helps to dry out and ventilate." Mold can be any color. It depends on what it feeds on. Odor is a clue to the presence of mold, but mold odors differ.
There is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores indoors. [Ed note: using products containing a pure and soluble form of melaleuca alternifolia oil, particularly when sprayed into the air and placed in ducts as well as directly onto any mold or mildew growth, is very effective against all types of fungi and fungus spores.] "If you suspect a problem, you need somebody who has the proper credentials to do it," Dr. Craddock said.
Preventing and Eliminating Mold
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency
Routinely inspect for evidence of water damage and visible mold.
Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry completely.
Ceiling tiles or other absorbent materials that are moldy may need to be replaced. [Ed note: proven mold and mold spore killer is pure melaleuca alternifolia oil as in the water-soluble form in Sol-U-Mel, a product of Melaleuca, Inc.]
Eliminate sources of moisture, such as leaks, that cause mold.
Keep indoor humidity below 50%
Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid months. [Ed note: Use Sol-U-Mel in the humidifier water.]
Vent bathrooms, dryers and other moisture-generating sources to the outside.
Use exhaust fans when cooking, dishwashing and cleaning. [Ed Note: This should always be done to remove toxic fumes generated from the chemical-laden products typically used in homes. An alternative source of safe, effective products may be purchased directly from Melaleuca, Inc.]
When painting, add mold inhibitors. [Ed note: Are these toxic, too?]
Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products. [Ed note: ALL home hygiene products from Melaleuca, Inc. contain mold-killing melaleuca alternifolia oil.]
Remove and replace flooded carpets. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, don't install carpeting.
Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (windows, piping, exterior walls, roofs, floors) by adding insulation.
Clean and dry any damp building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. [Ed note: Spray diluted Sol-U-Mel directly on any water-damaged area, then use fans and/or dryers.]
Mold is a very serious matter and you all need to know how to protect yourselves! REMEMBER -- Chlorine (bleach) will NOT kill this organism!!!!!
Notes from a conference call with Dr. George Graham, a microbiologist from Knoxville, TN., an authority on mold. Government agencies have hired him to speak on the hazardous emissions from mold.
Dr. Graham feels mold is one of the most dangerous elements you can have in your environment. Of the illnesses today, 65% is directly or indirectly related to mold. It releases toxins that compromise the immune system (it has been linked to the death of children in the Cleveland, Ohio area).
Mold is a major factor in health problems such as cancer, lung disease, depression, skin diseases, eye infections, rheumatoid arthritis and more. Dehumidifiers and humidifiers are a great source of mold growth. Getting carpet wet, whether by cleaning solutions or water spills is another breeding ground for mold. Mold is a plant-like form and it seeks a food source and grows into it.
So it doesn't just grow on our food sources (bread, cheese, etc.), but it grows on dampness -- such as under carpet, in heating/air conditioning vents, inside walls that have gotten wet and many other places. If the humidity in the home is over 40-45% there will be mold. Using household bleach on mold will only remove the color. It will not kill it.
Through lots of research, Dr. Graham discovered the properties in Melaleuca alternifolia oil would kill mold. He placed an open bottle of the pure Melaleuca alternifolia oil along side a lab dish with mold on it and covered both with a dome cover. In 30 minutes the mold was killed. Dr. Graham then sprayed Sol U-Mel, a product of Melaleuca, Inc., into the air conditioning system and placed a dish of mold on a table - THE MOLD WAS KILLED.
Mold may be a contributing factor in Fibromyalgia and it can be directly related to ADD. Dr. Graham recommended spraying air filters with Sol-U-Mel, diluted 5 to 1. Also, spray all your vents. You can also set an open bottle of T36-C5, an indication of the purity of the melaleuca alternifolia oil, inside your unit. He recommended this for your automobile as well.
I found this very interesting and informative, plus definitely scary. Any thoughts on this, anyone?
Warmly,
Connie
http://www.optforfreedom.com
ELIMINATE MOLD from the Internet (Viruses, Fraud, ID Theft, Hackers and so much more)
http://www.connieclark.ws
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