Tag Archives: Consequences of Mold

What Illnesses are Linked to a Mold Problem?

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Prevent These Symptoms Now!

Prevent These Symptoms Now!

By now there is a sizable body of evidence about the connection between mold and illness, but do you know what symptoms to watch for? If you or members of your family begin experiencing these signs, consult your primary care physician about a possible mold-related illness.

Upper Respiratory Problems

Since mold spores are inhaled, they most commonly trigger allergic reactions such as sneezing, coughing and itchy, runny eyes. Even people who don’t normally suffer from allergies can have these reactions from excessive exposure to mold. Individuals with immune deficiencies or pre-existing lung conditions can develop more serious issues such as asthma or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Unexplained Muscle Pain

Muscle cramps and so-called “pin-prick” pains, in the absence of vigorous physical activity, sometimes occur after contact with mold.

Depression

Researchers have discovered a link between damp, moldy living quarters and depression. At least part of the cause is attributed to the reality of poor living conditions and lack of control over the surroundings.

Digestive Troubles

Exposure to mold can affect your digestive system, resulting in nausea, diarrhea or stomach cramps. Unexplained weight gain can also be a sign of a mold-related illness.

Numbness in Extremities

After contact with mold, some people experience the pins-and-needles sensation identified with numbness in their hands and feet.

Contact Stern Mold for Northern NJ and NYC Mold Treatment

Elimination and prevention of mold are the best methods to avoid health-related problems. Our proprietary MoldExterm system provides effective northern NJ and NYC mold treatment, including application of an eco-friendly barrier that guards against future reoccurrence. Contact us today to schedule your free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment

Inhalation of Mold and Dust – a Health Hazard

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Inhaled Mold Spores Can Be Detrimental to Health

Inhaled Mold Spores Can Be Detrimental to Health

Big things come in small packages, and that applies to health risks as well. Dust and mold spores may not be visible to the naked eye, but they can have a serious impact on your physical well-being. Why do these microscopic particles create such a threat?

Mold Spores: Small but Mighty

Even the largest mold spores measure only 40 microns. In comparison, a human hair ranges from 100 to 150 microns. At that size, it’s easy for spores to slip past the natural filtering in your nasal passages, causing irritation to your upper respiratory system that triggers allergic reactions.

People who don’t generally suffer from allergies can still experience mild symptoms, such as wheezing and a runny nose, but the more sensitive an individual is, the more serious the effects. Reactions can range from chronic sinus infections to asthma attacks as well as lung infections in people with compromised immune systems.

Dangers of Dust in the Air

Dust is always present in the air, but treatments like traditional mold remediation can aggravate their presence. When building materials are removed, chemical vapors, silica particles and other irritants are released to combine with existing dust motes. Such disturbances also stir up mold spores that are dispersed into the air, where they can enter your system or find a new surface where they will continue to multiply.

State-of-the-Art Mold Remediation in NYC and northern NJ

Stern Mold uses a proprietary system called MoldExterm for effective and eco-friendly mold removal. Visit our website to learn more about why MoldExterm is superior to traditional mold remediation.

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, MoldExterm, News

Mold 101: How Can I Remove Mold from Carpet?

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Interior mold is usually depicted as growing on surfaces like walls or bathtubs. Even though it’s not visible, mold and fungus can affect carpeting as well. Is there any effective treatment or remedy?

What are mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins are toxic substances that are by-products of mold. At 0.1 microns in width, they are even more minute than mold spores. Human hair is approximately 100 microns wide, which gives a sense of the relative size of mycotoxins.

Health effects of mycotoxins

When you are exposed to toxic mold such as Aspergillus, which is one of the most common types found indoors, mycotoxins are ingested through the respiratory system. Mycotoxins from Stachybotrys, also referred to as black mold, can be absorbed through the skin as well.

Removal and treatment

As mycotoxins settle in carpet fibers, footsteps stir them up into the air where they can be ingested along with mold spores and allergens. A HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner can remove the spores, but mycotoxins are small enough to pass through the vacuum and back out though the exhaust. Replacing the carpet is the only sure way to get rid of mycotoxins.

If you have been exposed to mycotoxins, take a long, hot shower with plenty of soap. Hair can trap mycotoxins, so you should also thoroughly shampoo.

Effective mold treatment in New Jersey

When it comes to mold and fungus treatment, don’t take a chance on doing an incomplete job. Our proprietary MoldExterm system removes mold thoroughly while leaving a sealant that prevents future infestations. Visit our website to learn how you can schedule a free mold inspection.

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

$32 Million Dollar Verdict for Mold Sets Insurers Up to Take a Fall

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Mold Insurance claims

Mold Insurance claims

Mold claims, for insurance purposes, have been a gray area when it came to households, rentals or condos. Most people would make a claim about mold issues after they had been living at a specific residence for some time. Litigation always revolved around the supposition about whether or not the mold was there when a person moved in, if there was an external underlying cause, or if the person in residence created the problem.

Ballard Vs Fire Insurance Exchange

The Ballard lawsuit changed the way the industry looked at mold infestation and mold treatment. Without going into extended detail, the Ballard Family began to experience toxic mold symptoms after a major plumbing leak, and the insurance company refused to acknowledge there was a problem, even after contractors told them there was.

Ballard eventually hired private independent mold specialists that confirmed toxic mold to be present, and once that happened, the family moved out of the residence. Based on the findings of the independents, the lawsuit against Fire Insurance Exchange was settled in Ballard’s favor.

Don’t Take Chances

If you feel that there might be a mold problem in your residence, and this is particularly true if you are renting or have moved into a property that was occupied before you, get some independent testing done. Any documentation by a certified company will go a long way if you ever have to file a claim about mold infestation.

For the best in NYC mold treatment, rely on the professionals at Stern Mold. We are part of the Stern Environmental Group, and have been serving the New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island area since 1995.

Posted in Mold Law, Mold Tips, News

Gleason Family Loses Home and Health Due to Mold

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What are the top priorities for most people? The health of their loved ones and keeping a roof over their heads. Dave Gleason saw both of those things come under attack by an aggressive and toxic mold. Complete destruction of the house Mr. Gleason built for his family at 535 Gleason Drive in Moosic is the only option for the structure. He and his family are struggling to recover physically and financially. What compounds this already devastating situation further is that Mr. Gleason’s homeowners insurance does not cover toxic mold treatment.

Mr. Gleason said, “We’ve lost everything. We’re basically starting over. And since we’ve been researching it, we’ve found we’re not alone.”

Physical effects are difficult to diagnose

Dave Gleason experienced flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue, asthma, kidney problems, and short-term memory loss. Leslie Gleason, his wife, frequently has a bloody nose and skin rashes. The same problems as his oldest daughter Laura. His youngest daughter Lacie has difficulty concentrating and ongoing flu-like symptoms. His son Derek struggles with the same respiratory problems as Mr. Gleason.

While most molds and the accompanying spores do not cause health problems for otherwise healthy people, any mold exposure is problematic for people suffering from allergies, asthma, or a weakened immune system. Mold like that found in the Gleason home causes serious health problems including neurological damage and a complete loss of short-term memory.

Don’t take chances with your family’s health and risk losing the home you have worked so hard to provide. Call the experts at Stern Mold for more information about the cost-effective MoldExterm process of mold treatment before it spreads to more areas of your home.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News
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