Tag Archives: Mold and Health

Mold Mycotoxins and Your Health

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Is Mold Causing You to Feel Under the Weather?

Is Mold Causing You to Feel Under the Weather?

Understanding the relationship between mold and your health can be very important if you see mold growing in your home. The mycotoxins that some mold varieties produce can cause serious allergic reactions and make you or your loved ones very sick.

What Are Mycotoxins?

Scientifically speaking, a mycotoxin is a type of byproduct that mold colonies produce that is harmful to humans or animals. Different types of mold make their own toxic byproducts, but some of them only harm bacteria (this is where we get prescription antibiotics) or only harm plants.

How Do They Affect Your Health?

Less serious health effects can include mild allergic reactions, coughing, clogged sinuses, and watery eyes. Prolonged exposure to certain mycotoxins, or even acute exposure to very dangerous strains, can cause respiratory problems, among other issues, that may require hospitalization.

How to Get Rid of Mycotoxins

Getting rid of mycotoxins means eliminating the mold colonies which are producing them. The best way to do this is to get a mold removal expert who knows what to look for and how to take care of the problem. The negative effects of mold and your health problems that might arise from long-term exposure usually means the sooner you have it treated, the better.

If you think you might have mold in your home, give us a call at 888-887-8376 and we will be happy to inspect to see if you do have a mold problem. Our staff is trained to identify different types of mold, inform you on the risks you might face, and recommend the appropriate remediation.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips

Is it the Summer Flu or Blastomycosis? The CDC Explains

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Can't Shake The Sickness Off? You May Have This Mold-Induced Condition.

Can’t Shake The Sickness Off? You May Have This Mold-Induced Condition.

Have you been feeling down with a case of the flu that you just can’t seem to shake? What you’re experiencing may actually be blastomycosis, an infection caused by inhaling fungal spores.

What is Blastomycosis?

The illness gets its name from Blastomyces, a fungus found in the environment, especially around decomposing organic matter. Not everyone who is exposed will become infected, but onset of the illness is generally between three weeks and three months after the spores are inhaled.

Symptoms and Treatment

Diagnosis of blastomycosis is often not immediately apparent because the symptoms are similar to those of the flu. They include:

• Extreme fatigue

• Fever and/or night sweats

• Coughing and chest pain

• Aching muscles and sore joints

• Unexplained weight loss

Treatment with prescription medication takes anywhere from six months to one year, based on the severity of the infection. Pets are also susceptible to blastomycosis, but the infection is not contagious.

The real danger of this illness involves people with weakened immune systems. In such cases, blastomycosis can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, including the central nervous system.

If you suspect that you have blastomycosis, your doctor can order a test using a blood or urine sample. He may also order a CAT scan or chest x-ray to check your lungs.

Stern Mold Offers Northern NJ and NYC Free Mold Inspections

Blastomycosis is only one of the health problems that can arise from exposure to mold. Don’t wait until you or your loved ones get sick. Contact Stern Mold today to schedule your Northern NJ or NYC free mold inspection by our professionally trained technicians.

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health

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

Elderly Tenants Forced to Move Due to “Mold Nightmare”

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Your home is your sanctuary and refuge, making NYC mold treatment an important factor in preserving livability. Imagine the dismay and frustration of elderly tenants living in an Alabama housing development who have been coping with three years of mold problems.

Residents of Spring Gardens Housing in Tarrant first discovered patches of black mold three years ago. Documents reviewed by AL.com, an Alabama news site, indicated that housing ownership and officials received environmental lab reports documenting the problem dating back to that period.

Emails and other documents indicate that some of the mold and structural problems were remediated, but the issue persisted. As recently as last April, Jefferson County Housing Authority (JCHA) conducted an inspection of 100 apartments they manage in the development. The report revealed evidence of mold in 14 of the 70 occupied units.

A resident of Spring Gardens spoke with AL.com about the way he’s been shuttled back and forth due to the mold issue. He was forced to move three times in a two-week period, with no solution in sight. The man also allowed the reporter to photograph a rash on his upper chest that may have been caused by the housing conditions.

A spokesman for Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, Inc., which took over management at the beginning of 2015, insists the agency maintains a commitment to the residents. However, it’s unclear whether they conducted an inspection on the non-JCHA units.

Don’t allow your family to be put through this nightmare. Contact us for information about our safe and effective NYC mold treatment that eliminates the problem and implements measures to prevent a reoccurrence.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, News
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