Category Archives: Mold Identification

The Cleveland Clinic: How to Treat Mold Exposure

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The Cleveland Clinic: How to Treat Mold Exposure

The Cleveland Clinic: How to Treat Mold Exposure

Exposure to mold can cause a serious allergic reaction called aspergillosis. The Cleveland Clinic, one of our country’s largest and most respected medical centers, offers more information about this illness along with helpful tips for treatment and prevention.

Who Is Affected by Aspergillosis?

Aspergillosis gets its name from Aspergillus fumigatus, a type of mold that is the primary cause of the illness. Aspergillus is one of the most common forms of outdoor mold, but it can easily be tracked indoors on shoes and clothing.

Healthy people are generally at low risk for aspergillosis, which primarily affects those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions. Problems arise when mold spores are inhaled and settle in lung cavities or mucus-filled airways.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Symptoms of aspergillosis include:

• Wheezing and coughing, sometimes accompanied by blood or increased mucus

• Fever and/or chills

• Shortness of breath

• Chest pain

These upper-respiratory symptoms are similar to those of general allergic reactions, so it’s important to visit your doctor and rule out other causes.

Aspergillosis is most often treated with oral corticosteroids and anti-fungal drugs, either separately or in combination. Surgery is sometimes necessary when fungus balls called aspergillomas are present in the lungs or other organs.

Since Aspergillus is so common, the best course of prevention is to avoid locations such as construction sites that are likely to have a lot of dust and mold. People at high risk might consider wearing a face mask.

Trust Stern Mold for Efficient and Eco-Friendly NJ Mold Removal

Don’t take chances with your health. Visit our website to learn why Stern Mold is the leader in NJ mold removal for homes and businesses.

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

Tips for Identifying if Your Office or Co-Op Has Mold

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Where Does Mold Prefer to Hide?

Where Does Mold Prefer to Hide?

Mold sickness begins with mild symptoms that are easy to ignore. However, long-term exposure can lead to serious illness, even for otherwise healthy adults. For people with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and children, mold exposure can cause life-threatening illness.

If mold is present in your office or co-op, it’s essential to get rid of the problem right away. Our patented NJ mold removal method is low-cost, quick, and doesn’t require tearing out walls. Call us right away if you notice any of these identifying signs for the presence of mold.

  • Musky smell: People sometimes just accept that an old building has strange smells in some rooms. Mold colonies may be living inside walls or under flooring. If you notice a persistent musky odor, the cause is likely mold.
  • Moisture problems: Whether it’s an ongoing plumbing leak, roof leak, or drainage problem, where there is moisture, mold will soon grow. Spores can lie dormant for years just waiting for the right combination of moisture, food, and temperature to begin growing and thriving.
  • Visual evidence: If you notice mold under kitchen sinks or in bathrooms, don’t ignore the problem. Mold does not go away on its own and there may be more danger there than meets the eye. There are many different types of mold that look similar. It is best to consult experienced professionals for identifying the type and extent of the mold problem.

Trying to remove mold yourself will expose you to more mold spores. If you think the building you live or work in is making you sick, trust your instincts and call us for a consultation about our NJ mold removal system.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Tips

Could You Be Suffering From Toxic Mold Exposure?

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The Presence of Mold Can Seriously Impact Your Health

Mold Exposure

Your NYC mold removal specialists want you to stay informed about toxic mold, and here is something interesting to think about. Toxic mold exposure.

What is Toxic Mold Exposure Like?

Unfortunately, toxic mold exposure resembles several other respiratory problems like allergies, colds, sinus infections, asthma and others. That’s why it may be one of the more difficult illnesses to diagnose.

Some of the signs might be:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Sinus problems
  • Fatigue
  • Red eyes
  • Blurred vision
  • Tears
  • Lightheadedness
  • Headaches
  • Light sensitivity

Those symptoms are some of the most common results of toxic mold exposure, but as you can see, they are also symptoms of various kinds of upper respiratory illnesses as well.

There are other ways to tell, and here are a few:

  • Has your building or home been recently flooded?
  • Are you being exposed to musty air?
  • Is there noticeable water damage in any room, particularly the bathroom and/or laundry room?
  • Do your symptoms worsen on days with rain?
  • Are you getting treatment from a doctor for an upper respiratory illness, but it never seems to go away?
  • Do you have skin rashes for no apparent reason?

Once again, these are potentially common problems with various types of respiratory illnesses, but if you are experiencing symptoms and problems from both of these lists at the same time, you could be suffering from toxic mold exposure.

If you see any black mold in your house, home or apartment, or you are experiencing upper respiratory problems that never seem to go away, call your NYC mold removal specialist, Stern Mold, for a free mold inspection. Serving the NY and NJ areas for nearly 25 years.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News, NJ Mold Removal

Damp Environments and Your Health as Detailed by the Center for Disease Control

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Damp Environments and Your Health as Detailed by the Center for Disease Control

Damp Environments and Your Health as Detailed by the Center for Disease Control

A lot of posts, blogs and articles have been written about how bad toxic black mold can be for your health, and virtually every NYC mold removal company is aware of the problems. Of course when reading these stories, you may think that they’re embellished, made up or downright exaggerated for business or marketing purposes. Well, that can’t be further from the truth.

The CDC

The most respected organization for fitness and health issues, named The Center For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) which is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has published a major article called the “Facts About Mold and Dampness.” In it they write about mold and your health, mold in your home, and how to control mold. They also give great mold prevention tips!

Now, even though you may not think of an article on mold as being all that interesting, this one is filled with facts, ideas and information that virtually everyone should know about, and certainly any NYC mold removal company will also know these facts and figures.

Nothing to Sneeze At

Mold in your house or home may actually cause you to sneeze, but it is nothing to sneeze at. There are many serious health issues, particularly for babies and young children, so mold, especially toxic black mold, should be kept out of your house or home. At the very least, this article from the CDC gives prevention tips that should be followed for a happy and healthy mold-free life.

For more information, or a free mold evaluation, please contact Stern Mold, the experts in mold remediation, serving New York and New Jersey.

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

Mycotoxin Information for Manhattan Building Managers – Part Two

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We are NYC's mold treatment experts!

We are NYC’s mold treatment experts!

Do you regularly have your building inspected for mold? If you discover a need for Manhattan or NJ mold treatment, you should be informed regarding the dangers of mycotoxins in order to protect residents, employees and customers.

Mycotoxins in the News

During the 1990s, as more was learned about the health risks of mycotoxins, a number of high-profile toxic mold settlements raised public awareness. Even expensive celebrity homes were not immune from mold damage and mycotoxins.

The Center of Integrative Toxicology at Michigan State University conducted a study regarding damp building-related illness (DBRI), where it was discovered that Stachybotrys is possibly a contributing factor. Animal testing has demonstrated that sensitivity to S. chartarum can produce inflammation and allergic symptoms of the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

How Does Mycotoxin Exposure Affect Humans?

There are some “good” mycotoxins that affect other fungi or bacteria, with penicillin being the most well-known example. With humans, the most common reactions to mycotoxin are respiratory allergies and inflammation and weakened immune systems. Scientists are also finding a possible connection between mycotoxin exposure and neurological damage.

Mycotoxicosis is the general term for poisoning from exposure to mycotoxins. Oral ingestion, skin contact and inhalation are the avenues through which mycotoxins enter the body, where they circulate via the bloodstream and lymphatic system.

Stern Mold: Effective Manhattan and NJ Mold Treatment

Mold exposure is nothing you should leave to chance. Our professionally trained technicians usually complete our non-toxic MoldExterm treatment in one day, with no removal of building materials and minimum interruption to your routine.

Call 888.887.8376 to schedule a free mold inspection of your home or building.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, NYC Mold Removal
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