Monthly Archives: January 2016

Flooded? Tips on Staying Safe When Returning Home to Check for Mold

Posted on by

Flooding is the most common natural disaster throughout the world. According to the National Weather Service, flash floods and river floods caused more than $2.5 billion in property damages across the U.S. in 2014. Thirty-eight people were killed and numerous families were displaced from their homes temporarily.

When people did return to their residences, they found insects, rodents, and nasty mud inside. Water contains contaminants that encourage mold and fungus growth. The risk of mold inside your home is increased after a flood. Here are some tips from the Red Cross for staying safe when you return home after a flood.

Basic safety procedures

Be sure officials have declared the area safe. It is best to leave children and pets with someone else when you make your initial visit. You should bring proper ID to verify your address. The utilities may be down. Bring some bottled water, non-perishable food, and hand cleaning gel.

Document damages

Inspect the exterior of your home. Look for damage to power lines. If there is significant roof damage or cracks in the walls or foundation, it may not be safe to enter the building. If you smell natural gas, contact the fire department and leave the area immediately.

Have a camera to document everything. As you enter, open doors and windows to allow the house to air out. Snakes and other animals may be inside your home. Use a stick to poke through any piles of debris.

Clean up

Food items will begin to spoil quickly. Remove unsafe food any damp upholstered furniture. Call the experts at Stern Mold for a free inspection and treatment of mold and fungus.

 

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News

Gleason Family Loses Home and Health Due to Mold

Posted on by

What are the top priorities for most people? The health of their loved ones and keeping a roof over their heads. Dave Gleason saw both of those things come under attack by an aggressive and toxic mold. Complete destruction of the house Mr. Gleason built for his family at 535 Gleason Drive in Moosic is the only option for the structure. He and his family are struggling to recover physically and financially. What compounds this already devastating situation further is that Mr. Gleason’s homeowners insurance does not cover toxic mold treatment.

Mr. Gleason said, “We’ve lost everything. We’re basically starting over. And since we’ve been researching it, we’ve found we’re not alone.”

Physical effects are difficult to diagnose

Dave Gleason experienced flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue, asthma, kidney problems, and short-term memory loss. Leslie Gleason, his wife, frequently has a bloody nose and skin rashes. The same problems as his oldest daughter Laura. His youngest daughter Lacie has difficulty concentrating and ongoing flu-like symptoms. His son Derek struggles with the same respiratory problems as Mr. Gleason.

While most molds and the accompanying spores do not cause health problems for otherwise healthy people, any mold exposure is problematic for people suffering from allergies, asthma, or a weakened immune system. Mold like that found in the Gleason home causes serious health problems including neurological damage and a complete loss of short-term memory.

Don’t take chances with your family’s health and risk losing the home you have worked so hard to provide. Call the experts at Stern Mold for more information about the cost-effective MoldExterm process of mold treatment before it spreads to more areas of your home.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

Top Hazards for Your Home – Mold is Number One

Posted on by

The word “mold” is actually a generic catch-all term for a variety of fungi. Species of indoor mold include Aspergillus, Epicoccum and Trichoderma. No matter what the form, mold growth in your home or building can lead to a number of unpleasant and potentially serious effects.

The nature of mold

According to the definition used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, mold and other fungi are plants, although they have no roots, leaves or flowers. Mold is most commonly thought of as being black or green, but it actually appears in yellow, pink and brown as well.

Mold reproduces by spores, which are microscopic cells that are invisible to the eye as they drift throughout the air. DIY mold treatment is usually ineffective because spores remain behind to land on other surfaces.

Moisture is the common denominator required for growth of any mold species. Water leaks are an obvious risk factor, but any damp surface in humid areas such as bathrooms and basements is a candidate for mold.

Mold’s destructive effects

Active mold growth destroys its host material. This is no problem outdoors, where mold breaks down organic matter as part of the cycle of nature. Indoors, unchecked mold growth can result in structural damage.

A more serious issue is mold’s potential impact on your health. The presence of mold has been associated with allergies and upper respiratory ailments, leading the Institute of Medicine to issue a report in 2004 citing damp indoor areas as a “public health problem.”

Our unique MoldExterm mold treatment program eliminates mold growth and provides a barrier against future infestations. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, News

Could Mold Have Caused the Death of Brittany Murphy?

Posted on by
Could Mold Have Caused This Death?

Could Mold Have Caused This Death?

The sudden December 2009 death of Brittany Murphy, a vivacious, seemingly healthy 32-year-old actress, shocked and saddened Hollywood. When her 39-year-old husband Simon Monjack died the following May, the mystery deepened. A lawsuit filed by Murphy’s mother blamed toxic mold and lack of mold treatment as the likely culprit behind the deaths of her daughter and son-in-law.

In June 2003, Brittany and mother Sharon Murphy purchased the five-bedroom home of singer Britney Spears for $3.85 million. The two women lived there until they were joined by Monjack, who moved in after his 2007 marriage to Brittany. A 2006 lawsuit against the home’s builders alleged a number of construction defects, including the presence of toxic mold. Shortly before Monjack’s death, the parties reached an out-of-court settlement for $600,000.

Curiously, autopsy reports named pneumonia as a primary cause in the deaths of both Brittany and her husband. Pneumonia and other upper respiratory ailments are well-known reactions to the presence of toxic mold. In December 2011, Brittany’s mother filed a lawsuit against the law firm that provided representation in the earlier suit. Sharon Murphy claimed the attorneys failed to inform her that acceptance of the settlement voided the possibility of a wrongful death suit.

Ed Winter, assistant chief coroner of Los Angeles County, denied finding evidence of mold in either autopsy. While the second lawsuit was dropped in 2013, Sharon still believes that toxic mold was the probable cause of death.

Prompt mold treatment protects your family from physical ailments and other negative effects. Visit our website to learn more about Stern Mold and our safe, thorough and cost-effective MoldExterm process.

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News