Tag Archives: Allergies and Mold

Still Living In The Shadow of Hurricane Sandy? Mold Remains a Huge Problem in New York City

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Is Dampness and Mold A Reoccurring Problem for You?

Is Dampness and Mold A Reoccurring Problem for You?

Mold spores are always around, but they’re largely harmless until indoor conditions become excessively damp. Years after Hurricane Sandy, how are NYC public housing residents faring with Manhattan mold removal?

In the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

In 2012, Red Hook Housing in Brooklyn was one of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Four years post-storm, a survey of residents in 280 units found that 94 percent had experienced problems with mold, while 40 percent were still struggling with mold.

Unfortunately, mold has been a chronic problem in NYCHA properties. Prior to Hurricane Sandy, roughly 34 percent of Red Hook residents had complaints about mold. This situation is made even more urgent by the fact that nearly one-quarter of Red Hook public housing residents are asthmatic, a rate three times greater than the rest of the zip code.

Tenants Demand Action

Frustrated by lack of response from NYCHA, a tenant’s advocacy group filed a class action lawsuit against the organization in 2013. Terms of the settlement included timelines for addressing and completing repairs along with a 60-day window to follow up on results.

Both parties were back in court two years later over noncompliance with terms of the original suit. The court appointed an official overseer, but organizers for the tenant’s group are seeking a more proactive approach.

Manhattan Mold Removal for All Situations, Big or Small

Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection by our friendly and experienced technicians.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment, News

Can Mold Spores Cause Allergies and Asthma?

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Can Mold Spores Cause Allergies and Asthma?

Can Mold Spores Cause Allergies and Asthma?

Even if you don’t normally suffer from allergies, extended exposure to mold spores can lead to a number of physical symptoms ranging from unpleasant to serious. Our Manhattan mold removal experts offer helpful information on the various health risks linked to mold spores.

Do You Have Mold Allergies?

Indoor mold and dampness are generally associated with upper respiratory ailments. When mold spores are inhaled, they trigger a response from the immune system including sneezing, coughing, congested sinuses and itchy, watery eyes. People with certain sensitivities may develop skin irritation if they come into contact with mold.

What Are Other Mold-Related Illnesses?

Some individuals are particularly vulnerable to mold-related illnesses:

* People with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or obstructive lung disease

* People with weakened immune systems

These individuals are at risk for more serious diseases, including mold-related infections such as aspergillosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is inflammation of the lungs that can cause scarring.

Children can be greatly affected by exposure to mold. In a 2004 study, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found evidence suggesting a link between indoor mold and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. Other research suggests a possible link between early exposure to mold and development of asthma in some children, especially if they’re genetically prone to the disease.

Protect Your Health with Manhattan Mold Removal by Stern Mold

If you suspect the presence of mold, don’t wait until you or your family develop symptoms. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection by our technicians.

 

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, News

What You Must Know About Mold Spores

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Got Toxic Mold? Do You Have Enough for a Lawsuit?

Got Toxic Mold? What You Need to Know.

Everyone recognizes mold as a fungus found on dead plants and trees, but how much do you know about the effects of mold that finds its way indoors? Here’s a look at the role of mold spores and the importance of NYC mold removal.

How Mold Spores Function

Mold spores are the vehicles by which mold reproduces. While they’re similar in concept to a plant seed, they don’t contain pre-formed embryos. The dusty appearance of mold colonies is due to proliferation of spores on the surface.

Since mold spores are present indoors and outdoors, we inhale them every day. Concentrations are lower outdoors, so spores generally don’t pose a problem. Health risks arise from prolonged exposure to spores indoors, where space is constricted and air has less opportunity to circulate.

Control Mold Growth to Reduce Mold Spores

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate mold spores, controlling mold growth will keep them at a manageable level. Moisture is essential for mold to grow, so it’s imperative to keep indoor humidity low and immediately repair broken pipes or any conditions causing excessive moisture.

Approximately 20 percent of people are allergic to mold and suffer from symptoms such as sneezing, scratchy throat and watery eyes, known collectively as hay fever. Outdoor mold triggers allergies mainly during summer, whereas allergic reactions to indoor mold occur year-round.

Need NYC Mold Removal? Contact Stern Mold

Our MoldExterm program removes mold safely and effectively while creating a barrier to future growth. Contact us today for more information.

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

Is It Possible You Are Allergic to Mold in Your Co-op?

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Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers' Health

Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers’ Health

Co-ops are multi-dwelling housing units in which the owner buys shares in a corporation rather than actual property. In Manhattan, unlike most of the country, co-ops outnumber condos approximately three to one. Here’s why Manhattan mold removal is just as important in a co-op as in other housing options.

Are You Allergic to Mold?

While mold is visually unpleasant, it poses a more serious problem as a health risk. Inhaling mold spores, which are always present in the air around us, frequently triggers allergic reactions. Outdoor allergies are usually confined to certain seasons, but indoor mold makes allergies a year-round problem.

Water is a vital element of mold growth, so infestations may develop any place where spores can land on a moist surface. In a co-op, kitchens and bathrooms are primary sites of indoor mold.

Signs of Mold Allergies

Symptoms of mold allergies are similar to those of other types of allergies. When mold spores are inhaled, they irritate sensitive tissues in nasal passages, causing upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and sinus congestion.

Prolonged exposure to mold can cause symptoms even in people with no history of allergies. If symptoms tend to subside when you’re away from your co-op, chances are good they’re caused by mold.

Manhattan Mold Removal for Co-ops by Stern Mold

Our MoldExterm program is an effective and non-intrusive remediation method for residential and commercial buildings. Mold doesn’t have to be visible to be present. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News