Category Archives: Mold Information

Five Things the EPA Wants You To Know About Mold – Part Two

What to Know About Mold Spore Clouds

What to Know About Mold Spore Clouds

Mold may be a natural part of our environment, but indoor infestations are nothing to be taken lightly. Our NYC mold removal experts want to help you stay informed. Here is the second installment of things you should know about mold according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Five More Facts About Interior Mold

1. When moisture is present, it doesn’t take long for mold to establish a colony. Clean and dry any damp surfaces, materials or furnishings immediately. The optimum window is within 24-48 hours to prevent mold spores from getting a foothold.

2. If you find mold on hard surfaces, remove with detergent and water and dry thoroughly. Ceiling tiles and other porous or absorbent materials may need to be completely replaced.

3. Add insulation to windows, pipes, roofs, exterior walls and any other places where condensation is likely to form.

4. Carpeting plus dampness is a sure-fire formula for mold development. Avoid carpeting in areas where moisture is often present, such as around sinks or on concrete floors with frequent condensation.

5. Don’t assume any surface is mold-proof. As long as moisture is available, mold can grow on food, wood, paper, carpet and a number of other materials.

MoldExterm: Safe, Non-Invasive NYC Mold Removal

Our proprietary MoldExterm program is eco-friendly, non-invasive and helps prevent mold from returning. Treatment can usually be completed in just one day. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free inspection and learn more about our NYC mold removal services.

Five Things the EPA Wants You To Know About Mold – Part One

Mold Information from the EPA

Mold Information from the EPA

Awareness about the need for Manhattan mold removal has grown, but how do you separate fact from fiction? Let the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) remove some of the confusion with this informative list of things you should know about mold.

Five Facts About Interior Mold

1. With mold spores constantly circulating throughout indoor air, it’s impossible to eliminate all exposure. Moisture is the key element for mold growth, so the practical solution is to limit its development by controlling high humidity levels, leaky pipes and other sources of interior dampness.

2. Mold remediation is a two-step process. You must clean up all all visible signs of infestation and reduce excess moisture.

3. If you find any leaks or flooding in your home or building, repair the problem immediately.

4. Poor air circulation can lead to excessive levels of humidity.

Ways to control humidity include:

* Installing proper ventilation for bathrooms, clothes dryers and other sources of moisture

* Regular use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers

* Using exhaust fans in the kitchen

5. Prolonged exposure to mold carries a health risk, especially for children, the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory or immune conditions. Primary symptoms are upper respiratory allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing and irritated eyes.

Prompt and Effective Manhattan Mold Removal

Our proprietary MoldExterm program uses eco-friendly, non-intrusive methods to remove mold infestations and prevent future growth. Contact Stern Mold to schedule an inspection and treatment recommendation from our friendly Manhattan mold removal experts.

 

Mold! What Every Property Manager Should Know

Learn About Mold to Protect Your Employees

Learn About Mold to Protect Your Tenants

Both indoors and outdoors, mold has always been around us. As environmental awareness has grown, so too have concerns about the health effects of mold infestations.

If you’re a property manager, interior mold growth can lead to problems ranging from bad publicity to lawsuits. Our Manhattan mold removal experts share important facts you need to know.

Risk Factors for Mold

Moisture and organic matter are the only elements needed for mold to develop. Once it germinates, mold can spread as quickly as one to two days, especially in dark, confined areas.

Organic materials, including wood, carpet and sheetrock, make building interiors particularly opportune places for mold infestations. Mold is also a sign of a moisture problem, whether it’s a water leak or high humidity levels.

How Much Mold Is Too Much?

While there are no federal or state regulations defining acceptable mold levels, the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine recommends immediate removal of mold inside buildings. Failure to do so may trigger penalties under OSHA’s General Duty Clause, which covers workplace hazards without specific standards.

Mold Remediation

According to the EPA, the best way to control mold is by controlling moisture. In addition to removing or repairing the source of the moisture, adequate ventilation should be installed in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas prone to mold development.

Trust Stern Mold for Manhattan Mold Removal

Pamela Stern is fully licensed and certified to create a customized mold treatment program for your specific needs. Contact us for more information.

What Employers Should Know About Toxic Mold to Protect Employees

Keep Employees Safe from Mold Exposure

Keep Employees Safe from Mold Exposure

As an employer, it’s your job to protect your employees and keep them safe. Mold can be a silent threat in your building; going undetected for months at a time. In some cases, unexplained employee illnesses are the first indicator that a business has a mold problem.

Here’s some information you should know to keep your employees safe. As your NYC mold removal specialists, we’re here to help you do just that.

Know and Look for These Signs of Mold

Are you aware of what the signs of a mold problem are? To spot them, it requires closely observing your workers for:

• People complaining of a moldy smell.

• Breathing complaints.

• Itchy, watery eyes.

• Irritations on the skin.

• Feeling dizzy and/or nauseous.

It’s common for employers to assume other causes for their sick workers. But the reality is that their complaints and ailments could be caused by a mold problem in the work environment.

Find the Cause of the Mold Problem

While all buildings have mold to some degree, its milder strains are not a problem for most people. But when dangerous mold begins to develop, then it’s important to find the root cause.

Mold must have moisture to survive and grow, so look for any type of water leakage or poor ventilation. You’ll probably find mold nearby.

Contacting NYC Mold Removal for Assistance

If you’re not sure, it’s best to have a professional inspect your building. At Stern Mold, we offer free inspections, so you have nothing to lose. Contact us!

What is Mycosis and Why Should I be Concerned About Breathing Mold Spores?

Prevent Illness with NYC Mold Experts

Prevent Illness with NYC Mold Experts

They’re not visible to the naked eye, but mold spores can have a significant impact on your health. Find out why Manhattan mold removal can help you and you family avoid a common but unpleasant disease.

What Is Mycosis?

Mycosis is the generalized term for a fungal infection occurring in humans and animals. Well-known forms of mycosis include athlete’s foot, ringworm and thrush.

While a number of factors can contribute to development of mycosis, one of the more frequent causes is inhalation of mold spores. Once the mold spores enter the lungs, the conditions may be right for an infection to take hold.

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop a mycosis, but certain segments of the population are particularly vulnerable:

• Children and the elderly

• Individuals with diabetes

• People with weakened immune systems, such as individuals with HIV/AIDS or those undergoing chemotherapy

• People being treated with antibiotics

Aspergillosis: The “Mold Mycosis”

Aspergillosis is the most prevalent form of mycosis caused by mold spores. The disease takes its name from Aspergillus, a type of mold with nearly 200 species frequently found both indoors and outdoors.

Sinusitis is a mild form of aspergillosis that tends to affect people who are sensitive to allergic triggers. Individuals with asthma or other pre-existing lung conditions are vulnerable to more serious forms of aspergillosis, such as aspergilloma (fungal balls) or chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA).

State-of-the-Art Manhattan Mold Removal from Stern Mold

Contact us today to schedule a free inspection by our Manhattan mold removal experts.

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