Envirosurf™ Announces
“Toxic Mold Prevention Month” for January, 2006
Feb. 04, 2005,
Envirosurf™;
by Phillip Fry
MABINAY, Philippines.
Envirosurf™, the environmental global search engine, announces that
January, 2006, will be the first annual, worldwide observance of “Toxic
Mold Prevention Month.”
Homeowners, apartment
residents, and workers can download the free, ready-to-print flyer “Ten
Toxic Mold Prevention Tips for both Home and Work” to post on bulletin
boards, give to landlords and job supervisors, or use as a check list for
preventing toxic mold infestation. Visit
http://www.envirosurf.com/toxic-mold-prevention-month.htm.
1.
“Toxic mold” refers to any mold that produces mycotoxins in its spores.
Mycotoxins are generally recognized to be cytoxic, meaning they have the
capacity to pass through the human cellular wall and disrupt certain
cellular processes---potentially causing serious health damage to
residents and employees.
2.
Stachybotrys ("black mold"),
Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are the four most dangerous
indoor toxic molds. All four molds are frequently discovered growing in
houses, apartments, motels, hotels, offices, and other workplaces
world-wide.
3. Even non-toxic indoor molds
can cause health problems. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, "All molds have the
potential to cause health effects. Molds can produce allergens that can
trigger allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in people allergic
to mold. Others are known to produce potent toxins and/or irritants.”
4. Because mold requires
moisture to grow, the most important toxic mold prevention step is to keep
indoor humidity less than 60% year-round in all areas of one’s home and
workplace, and to regularly inspect all around the entire residence or
workplace for evidence of roof leaks, plumbing leaks, basement/crawl space
water problems, flooding, and visible mold growths.
5. Test for elevated levels of
airborne toxic mold spores early-on by mold testing indoor air all around
one’s home and workplace [including all rooms, basement, crawl space,
attic, garage, and the outward air flow from each heating/cooling duct
register] at least once or twice yearly with a Certified Mold Inspector or
the use of do-it-yourself mold test kits.
6. Watch for co-resident and
co-worker toxic mold health symptoms such as: allergies,
asthma, bleeding lungs, breathing difficulties, cancer, central nervous
system problems, recurring colds, coughing [chronic], coughing up blood,
dandruff problems [chronic] that don't go away despite use of
anti-dandruff shampoos, dermatitis and skin rashes, diarrhea, and;
Eye and vision problems,
fatigue [chronic, excessive, or continued] and/or general malaise, flu
symptoms [chronic], hair loss, headaches, hemorrhagic pneumonitis, hives,
hypersensitivity pneumonitis, irritability, itching of the nose, mouth,
eyes, throat, skin, or any area , kidney failure, learning difficulties or
mental functioning problems or personality changes, memory loss or memory
difficulties, and;
Open skin sores and
lacerations, peripheral nervous system effects, redness of the sclera
(white of your eyes), runny nose (rhinitis) or thick, green slime coming
out of nose (from sinus cavities), seizures, sinus congestion, sinus
problems, and chronic sinusitis, skin redness, sleep disorders, sneezing
fits, sore throat, tremors [shaking], verbal dysfunction [trouble in
speaking], vertigo [feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, faintness, and
unsteadiness], and vomiting.
7.
People differ significantly in their sensitivity and reaction to toxic
mold exposure. Therefore, if only some residents or workers are
experiencing one or more possible mold health symptoms, the home,
apartment, or workplace still might need to be inspected and tested for
mold for the health protection of the mold-sensitive persons, as well as
for the others who may ultimately be harmed from time-cumulative toxic
mold exposure.
8. Do
not use ineffective bleach to try to kill mold growth on, in, or behind
porous surfaces like drywall, wood timbers, plywood/chipboard, insulation
backing paper, carpeting/padding, and other construction materials made
from cellulose-containing materials.
9. To
kill toxic mold effectively, use only EPA-registered fungicides which are
manufacturer-rated to kill mold on both porous and nonporous surfaces.
Alternatively, learn how to use non-bleach mold home remedy recipes which
feature such items as Borax or baking soda.
10.
Toxic mold must be both killed and removed with safety precautions such
as: no occupancy of the dwelling or workplace during mold remediation;
containing the work area with floor to ceiling plastic sheeting;
exhausting of mold-spore laden air directly from the contained work area
to the outdoors; wearing proper protective gear such as a full face
breathing mask with organic vapor filters, biohazard suit [low-cost], and
gloves; and following the fungicide manufacturer’s product directions.
For more information,
please visit:
http://www.bleach-mold-myth.com
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.mold.ph
http://www.moldinspector.com
http://www.certifiedmoldinspectors.com
http://www.moldmart.net |
