Mold News Archives - Elliot Environment

Cities have their own distinct microbial communities

[caption id="attachment_561" align="alignright" width="300"] Toronto skyline[/caption] Toronto was one of three cities studied. The Flagstaff offices had richer microbial communities than those in San Diego or Toronto, which were more similar to each other, though researchers said it's unclear why Cities have their own distinct microbial communities but these communities don't vary much between offices located in the same city, according to a new study. The work, published this week in mSystems, an open access journal from the American Society for...

Spring time in Michigan!!

Time to check that attic. [caption id="attachment_548" align="alignright" width="300"] Spring time in Michigan!![/caption] An out of sight out of mind attitude ends up costing Michigan homeowners when it comes to mold in attics. If you haven't looked in your attic for mold or condensation on the surfaces it's time to take a look. The time to find out you have a problem is not when the homes on the market and a potential buyers inspector finds it. Take a look...

Michigan Roofer/Mold Remediator ?

[caption id="attachment_541" align="alignright" width="300"] Unqualified contractor can be devastating.[/caption] The results of hiring an unqualified contractor can be devastating. Here is an example: A roofing contractor claimed to be a mold remediation contractor. He removed the roof decking and replaced it with new painting over framing (and mold) in the attic space. What you see in the photo is the result of 1 years time. The contractor did not bother to assess of correct the ventilation issues (cause) And painting over...

Cookie Cutter Solutions

Michigan has no regulations for mold testing and remediation. Because mold problems are caused by moisture contact on susceptible surfaces the extent of damage and related effects to the occupants vary greatly. Do not fall victim to a company that's focus is to use scare tactics and blanket claims to get into your home for a sales pitch. Mold Remediation has no cookie cutter solutions. A mold remediation contractor must have experience in dealing with your particular problem. Our advice is...

Michigan Vacation Homes In Danger Of Mold?

Make sure that you properly winterize your vacation property. Here is a quick tutorial to help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRqosW0SAFY&feature=youtu.be

Avoid Scare Tactics in the Mold Industry

[caption id="attachment_482" align="alignright" width="251"] Image result for mold scare[/caption] Unfortunately, there are a lot of “Scare Tactics” used within the microbial investigation and mold remediation industry. As with any industry, there are always going to be people out there who try and scare people into using their services. They may do so by embellishing facts, giving misinformation or by simply telling you things that are completely untrue. I want to give you, the consumer, a couple tips for what to...

Cosmetic Mold

[caption id="attachment_478" align="alignnone" width="300"] http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/lipbalmmold.asp[/caption] Growing consumer demand for products labeled all-natural or organic isn't restricted to just the food we eat; a number of cosmetic and personal grooming products are marketed in the same manner. One item that falls into the latter category is a mass-market lip balm (eos) that is widely available, affordable, and attractively packed, making it a popular choice among consumers interested in preservative-free products. But many ingredients with intimidating, chemically-sounding names serve a relatively important function for...

Louisiana Home Inspectors

Must Report on Mold Louisiana Home Inspectors: A new law in Louisiana will require home inspectors for real estate transactions to inspect for mold and to include their findings in an inspection report. Gov. Bobby Jindal signed the bill into law June 10. The bill (SB 66) changes the state’s minimum standards of practice for home inspectors to include the requirement that “a licensed home inspector shall include, in his written report, the presence of suspected mold growth, if during...

New Jersey Gov. Christie Vetoes Mold Bill

[caption id="attachment_434" align="alignright" width="200"] New Jersey Gov. Christie[/caption] On the last day of the New Jersey legislative session, Governor Chris Christie (R) blocked legislation that would have established standards for the inspection and cleanup of mold in residential buildings and school facilities. The measure would also have established a certification program for mold abatement and inspection workers. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) told reporters he was “surprised and somewhat shocked” by the governor’s action. Sweeney called the mold bill...

Mold in the Bible

It would be fair to say that molds have been around since the beginning of time, and have always posed a serious threat to human living. The Bible even references mold and its remediation - "The LORD said to Moses and Aaron ... I put a spreading mildew in a house in that land (Canaan). ... The priest is to order the house to be emptied before he goes in to examine the mildew, so that nothing in the house...

DIY Mold Test Kits

5 Reasons Mold Test Kits Waste Your Money The most important part of a mold inspection is the inspection, not the mold samples The most important part of a mold inspection is the inspection, not the mold samples. Mold samples can be misleading, are sometimes incorrect with both false positive and false negative results occurring, and can only be accurately interpreted in conjunction with a well thought out sampling plan and visual inspection. The visual inspection requires an understanding of building construction,...

Mold Cleanup at Pennsylvania School Cost $1 Million

[caption id="attachment_401" align="alignright" width="137"] Mold found in school[/caption] A Pennsylvania school district will have to pay nearly $1 million to re-mediate mold at a high school building, according to testimony offered at a school board meeting last week. Robert Nesbit of the architectural firm Crabtree Rohrbaugh Associates told the Hazleton Area School Board that every brick in the building and a 24-inch swath around the roof had to be replaced after mold was found. The bill came to $997,855. Workers...

New Fact Sheet on Mold

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) released a new fact sheet on mold earlier this month, which includes information on NTP’s current research efforts related to mold exposure. NTP supported NIOSH in the development of an acoustical generator, a device that can create and disperse molds for rodent studies in a way that closely mimics real-world human exposure. The device will be used in upcoming short-term toxicology studies to help researchers characterize responses to different species of mold. NTP is developing...

Indoor & Outdoor Allergies

More than 50 million Americans reportedly suffer from allergies with approximately 80% of those affected by indoor or outdoor allergens. Some sufferers experience short-term seasonal allergies, while a growing number experience chronic, year-round allergic reactions

Mold in Rental

It happens often. A tenant discovers a mold problem and contacts the landlord to report their concern. From there things can go in many directions. At this time there are no specific laws with regard to mold in the State of Michigan. However, the link below should help in providing some direction for both renters and landlords. www.michigan.gov/mold

Fungus Caused Meningitis? Black Mold

A black mold entering the spines of hundreds of people who received contaminated vaccines for back pain has marked uncharted medical territory. This fungus, classified as being difficult to diagnose, has never seemingly caused meningitis, until now. It requires at least three months of a treatment that can cause hallucinations. Not only is it unknown when is it safe to stop treating, but there is also no good way to know how to monitor those who fear the fungus, which...

Vt. Woman Loses Health, Home to Post-Irene Mold

It was bad enough when Tropical Storm Irene sent the Dog River spilling over its banks, filling Chandar Hall’s basement, destroying the stairs and back door, toppling her oil tank and destroying thousands of dollars’ worth of stored books and clothing. But since the storm more than 10 months ago, Hall, 39, says she has suffered such severe health problems from mold left behind by the flood that she had to stop working and move out. As of Monday, when...

Don’t Delay Tackling Mold Problems

Mold is a fact of life. It is all around us daily in the form of spores. But when conditions are right, when a home gets too humid for too long, mold can start to grow. When it does, removal is the only answer. “There are mold spores everywhere,” says Jim Echols, senior analyst at Springfield Indoor Air Quality, who has helped homeowners identify mold problems for 15 years. “… Most of the time, those mold spores don’t grow inside...

Bleach Myth Buster

Chlorine Bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6%) does not kill mold. Why? Mold's hyphae (root structures) actually grow into wood and drywall like roots. The hyphae are not killed by bleach because bleach's ion structure prevents chlorine from penetrating into porous materials such as dry wall and wood. It stays on the outside surface, whereas mold has protected enzyme roots growing inside the porous construction materials. When you spray porous surface molds with bleach, the water part of the solution soaks into...

Mold and Michigan Real Estate

The struggling economy and weak housing market has led to an explosion in both foreclosed homes and the mold population. Banks and other lien holders have hired management companies to clean and lock their investments up tight. But, in doing so, they have inadvertently caused unimaginable damage. Most people assume that if the house water supply is shut off then the mold problem is circumvented. Nothing could be further than the truth. Dampness and moisture are a concern but the bigger culprit...

Category: Mold News