Category Archives: Mold Identification

Consumer Advocate, Erin Brockovich, Fights Mold Contamination Issues

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Loosing Your Dream Home to Mold

Loosing Your Dream Home to Mold

The name “Erin Brockovich” has come to symbolize the consumer fight against illnesses caused by careless actions of big-bucks corporations. She then took on a battle that was literally closer to home, as she and her family dealt with the effects of black mold.

Black Mold and “Sick” Homes

After the landmark victory over Pacific Gas and Electric depicted in the movie that bears her name, Brockovich received a major promotion. She added motivational speaking and consumer activism to her busy workload and bought a million-dollar house near Los Angeles.

Her dream home began to lose its luster when Brockovich, along with her husband and 11-year-old daughter, started experiencing what she described as chronic flu-like symptoms. When she hired a contractor to fix leaks in the home, it was discovered that the house was infested with a mold called Stachybotrys, also known as black mold.

The Long Road to Recovery

Not surprisingly, she refused to let the presence of the mold drive her from her home. Mold remediation was performed one room at a time, for a total cost of $600,000.

The contractor referred Brockovich to an attorney named Alex Robertson, who specializes in toxic mold cases. They filed suit against the builder, subcontractor and former owner of her home, claiming that the mold was a result of water leaks caused by faulty construction.

Stern Mold Serves Home and Business Owners in NYC and Northern NJ

If you discover mold of any type in your home or business, don’t take chances with your health. Avoid expensive mold remediation with our eco-friendly, cost-effective MoldExterm process. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your free inspection.

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

What Color is Mold? Is It Always Black?

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Black Mold Isn't the Only Kind of Mold You Should Look for

Black Mold Isn’t the Only Kind of Mold You Should Look for

The mold family includes thousands of types and colors, but if you are only familiar with black, it’s probably because of the media attention given to it and mold remediation. Read on for the most common types of mold encountered in your home or place of business.

Green

Green is generally thought to be a variety of fungus, though there are thousands of species of green mold in the world.

Brown/Gray/Olive Green

Molds in this color family are common Cladosporium. You will find it on plant leaves outside and inside a house or building. It can grow on walls and carpet that is damp.

Blue/White/Green

Belonging to the Penicillium genus, these molds were once used to create the antibiotic penicillin. It grows on food and walls and is one of the most common molds that bother people with allergies.

Yellow/Green/Black

The Aspergillus molds family includes yellow, black and green molds are commonly inhaled every day. People with compromised immune systems and weak lungs can develop aspergillosis, a condition that includes coughing and sinus issues, as well as more serious health problems.

Black/Gray

The black or gray mold Alternaria, primarily an outdoor mold, has been found in a high percentage of indoor dust samples and has been linked asthma.

Pink

If you find mold of a pinkish color in your home, it’s most likely a bacteria form, not a mold in the true sense. It can develop on soap or shampoo containers or on shower walls.

Do you need professional mold remediation in your home or business? Our eco-friendly two-step process usually is completed in one day. Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection.

 

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, News

What Are the Most Common Types of Mold?

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There are more than 100,000 species of mold.

Just as the word “flower” encompasses thousands of different types of plants, there are more than 100,000 species that fit under the term “mold.” Here’s a look at the distinguishing characteristics found in some of the more common types of mold.

• Stachybotrys atra is the species that has come to be referred to as “black mold” due to its dark greenish-black color. While the mold itself is not toxic, it does produce mycotoxins that can cause a variety of health problems depending on a person’s sensitivity and length of exposure. Hidden black mold can sometimes be detected by its distinctive musty odor.

• Aspergillus is found both indoors and outdoors, so you inhale these spores every day, usually with no ill effects. This species, however, is a powerful allergic irritant, so individuals with allergies are susceptible to upper respiratory symptoms such as coughing and sinus congestion. People with lung conditions or weakened immune systems are vulnerable to a disease called aspergillosis.

• Cladosporium has a black pepper-like appearance and is often found in toilet tanks or on window sills. This variety of mold does not produce mycotoxins, but like aspergillus it can trigger upper respiratory distress in some people.

• Orange- or red-colored mold is usually found outdoors, where it serves to break down dead trees and other organic materials. Mold that appears white is generally in an early stage of development.

Rely on Stern Mold for Cost-Effective, Non-Intrusive Mold Remediation

Regardless of the species, our proprietary MoldExterm process removes mold more thoroughly and safely than traditional mold remediation. Contact Stern Mold today to schedule a free mold inspection for your NYC or northern NJ home.

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

What Color Can Mold Be? Is It Always Black?

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Unsure of What Mold Lurks in Your Office?

Unsure of What Mold Lurks in Your Office?

Do you know what color mold is? If your answer is “black,” you’re only partially correct. While black mold gets most of the attention, mold comes in thousands of varieties and a wide range of colors.

Here’s an overview of the most commonly found types of mold and their colors. Experts agree that regardless of the color, interior mold growth should be treated with professional mold remediation.

Greenish-Black

Stachbotrys, the scientific name for black mold, is more accurately described as greenish-black. This species feeds on high-cellulose, low-nitrogen materials, such as drywall or paper, that have a constant source of moisture from flooding, leaks or humidity.

Yellow, Green or Black

These colors are often a sign of Aspergillus, a mold that’s frequently found both indoors and outdoors. Since this mold is so widespread, you inhale the spores nearly every day without ill effects. Aspergillus can cause a serious illness called Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in people with preexisting lung problems or compromised immune systems.

Blue, Green or White

Lighter colors are usually associated with Penicillum, which is often found on food. Penicillum was the genesis for the discovery of the penicillin antibiotic.

Black or Grey

Black or grey Alternaria is generally found outdoors around damp soil and plants. However, one study found Alternaria in more than 90 percent of the household dust samples that were tested.

Need Mold Treatment in Your NYC or Northern NJ Home?

Traditional mold remediation is no longer the standard treatment. We use an eco-friendly two-step process that can usually be completed in one day, and without any structural damage. Contact Stern Mold today to schedule your free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information

Introducing Our New Mold Information Resource

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Get the Information You Need on Mold!

Get the Information You Need on Mold!

In recent years, the problem of interior mold growth and its effect on building occupants has gained an increasing amount of attention. With everything that’s being written on the topic, how can you tell the difference between facts and misinformation?

Our experts at Stern Mold have created a Mold Information Center on our website to promote understanding of these fungi along with how and why it should be treated. Here are some of the questions you will find addressed in the Center.

What are the Top Five Types of Mold Found Inside Homes and Buildings?

Mold is a far-ranging category that includes more than 100,000 identified varieties. Only biologists and other scientific researchers need to go into that amount of depth, so we provide an overview of the types of mold most commonly found indoors.

Is All Mold Toxic?

Much of the reporting about mold has focused on toxic or black mold, so some people have come to believe that those terms apply to any type of mold found in homes and other buildings. We explain the true meanings of those two terms as they refer to mold.

What Are Mold Spores? Why is Treatment Important?

One shortcoming of traditional mold remediation is that it can actually spread infestations by dispersing spores. Learn why effective treatment includes elimination of spores as well as the actual growth.

Stern Mold: Serving NYC and Northern NJ since 1995

Our two-stage MoldExterm treatment is more effective and less invasive than traditional mold remediation, and it provides protection against future infestations. Visit our website for more information and schedule your free mold inspection by our professionally trained technicians.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, Mold Tips
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