Monthly Archives: April 2017

What Mold Needs to Grow – Moisture, Oxygen, Food Source

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Mold Spores

Know the Conditions For Mold Growth so You Can Prevent It

As a type of fungus, mold spores need water, air, and some form of food in order to grow and spread. Suspect mold at your home or office? Know the conditions for mold growth, and you will be better prepared to choose a NYC mold remediation technique that wipes them out and prevents future mold growth.

Mold and Moisture

Water can be called the source of life. Unfortunately, that holds true for mold. Leaks and floods often cause mold infestations, but it only takes a tiny bit of water to feed a mold colony.

Red flags for the moisture needed for mold growth include:

  • Plumbing leaks
  • Moisture around sinks and bathrooms
  • Roof leaks
  • Condensation
  • Sprinkler or hose water entering the building

Oxygen Respiration of Mold

Like many organisms, molds also require oxygen. This makes it possible for a polymer sealant to effectively block future mold growth.

Food Sources for Mold

Mold colonies get their food from any organic matter — but we’re not talking about health foods.

Wood, wallpaper, fabric and upholstery, or even plants and soil can all feed mold. Your NYC mold remediation provider will check cabinets, walls, ceilings and other building materials made with organic substances to eradicate the entire colony.

Preventing the Conditions for Mold Growth

For years, the typical NYC mold remediation process involved ripping out walls and cabinets to remove the spores the way you would remove asbestos. Today, we have advanced mold treatment methods that block out moisture and protect your property without having to disturb the structure.

Contact us for a free inspection and quote and find out more about our scientifically advanced NYC mold remediation service.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment

What the EPA Wants You to Know About Mold

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Mold colonies

Act Quickly To Clean Up And Control Mold As Soon As It’s Found

Your health and your home are both threatened by mold growth, and the Environmental Protection Agency stresses the importance of acting quickly to clean up and control mold as soon as it’s found.

The EPA mold guide lays out the basic facts about mold:

  • Mold is common. Nobody should be surprised by the presence of mold. The important thing is controlling its growth if it spreads on indoor surfaces.
  • Mold causes health problems. Respiratory issues including asthma attacks and allergic reactions are common health problems caused by toxic mold.
  • Moisture makes mold grow. Molds need humidity to thrive. If you want to prevent the problem from recurring after you’ve brought in a NJ mold removal service, you need to make sure that the process includes stopping the moisture at its source.

What the EPA Says about Mold Cleanup

The EPA recommends cleaning up very small patches of mold by scrubbing with detergent and water. Be careful, however, because you need to wear protective clothing and equipment to reduce the risk of toxic mold-related health problems.

If the mold has gotten inside of a wall or ceiling, or the mold has spread to an area larger than about 10 square feet, the EPA advises you to find a mold removal professional. Our MoldExterm system uses EPA-registered antimicrobials for our NJ mold removal services.

If you’ve found mold growing in your home or business, Stern Mold can help by actually killing and removing the mold — and also treating surfaces to prevent mold from coming back ever again. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and quote for our NY and NJ mold service.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment

Pamela Stern is Our Professional Industrial Hygienist

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Introducing Pamela Stern, whose Many Duties Include Evaluating Hazardous Conditions in the Workplace

“Sick” workplaces can have a negative impact on the health of employees as well as people in the surrounding community. Pamela Stern, our professional industrial hygienist on staff, has extensive experience in recognizing, evaluating and controlling stressful environmental factors such as mold and fungus.

Becoming a Professional Industrial Hygienist

In order to achieve the designation of professional industrial hygienist, an individual must meet specific academic and field criteria.

  • A candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry or related biological or physical science from an accredited institution.
  • In addition, the individual must have completed at least three years of industrial hygiene experience.
  • A master’s degree equates to one year of experience while a doctorate can count for two years, but that is the maximum amount of work experience that may be waived.

Certified Industrial Hygienist

The American Industrial Hygiene Association recommends that all eligible members attain certification from the American Board of Industrial Hygiene. Requirements include:

  • Academic training along with four years of work experience
  • Passing a one-day exam
  • Staying active by applying for recertification every five years

As a professional industrial hygienist, Pamela’s responsibilities include evaluating hazardous conditions in the workplace, developing methods to treat and control possible risk factors, and training workers in proper heath and safety procedures.

Stern Mold: The Leader in Manhattan and NYC Mold Removal

Our first-class mold removal team includes Pamela along with our other professionally-trained and experienced technicians. Don’t take chances with the health of employees and others in the community. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection and learn more about our unique and effective MoldExterm program.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment
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