Mold Questions Archives - Elliot Environment

Understanding Mold Allergies

Like any allergy, mold allergy symptoms are triggered by an overly sensitive immune system response. When you inhale tiny, airborne mold spores, your body recognizes them as foreign invaders and develops allergy-causing antibodies to fight them. After the exposure has passed, you still produce antibodies that "remember" this invader, so that any later contact with the mold causes your immune system to react. This reaction triggers the release of substances such as histamine, which cause itchy, watery eyes, runny nose,...

Q. Symptoms of Mold Exposure

Clients often ask us “what are the symptoms of mold exposure”? Below are some of the common symptoms: Respiratory problems; including difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath; Sinus and nasal congestion and irritation; Irritation of the eyes — watery, burning, red; Coughing; Sore and/or dry throat; Skin rashes and irritations; Problems with sense of smell; Typical symptoms normally associated with a cold or allergies; and Memory problems, odd mood swings, nose bleeds, body aches and pains, and fevers are occasionally...

5 Critical Questions You Should Ask

Before Hiring a Mold Inspector [caption id="attachment_496" align="aligncenter" width="300"] mold inspector[/caption] Choosing a mold consulting company can be a difficult process; especially when you have health concerns regarding your indoor environment. You may be thinking to yourself…can I trust this company? Will they follow through with what they promise on their website or over the phone? Are they qualified to determine if I have a mold problem in my home or business? Are they going to use scare tactics to...

Q. Attic Mold in Michigan

Common Causes and Cures [caption id="attachment_488" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Attic – ventilation and air movement[/caption] Mold in attic areas can be challenging at times in regards to determining the exact cause and source of mold growth. However, there are some common conditions that we routinely find during our Mold Investigations that contribute to mold growth in attics. Inadequate Roof Ventilation: The lack of proper roof ventilation is a conducive condition to mold growth in attics. Without adequate ventilation, moisture laden air remains...

Q. Buying a Home with Potential Mold and Moisture Problems

I know a lot of people have heard horror stories out there to the effect of a mold contaminated home will always be contaminated, or that a home that had previous mold will be “red flagged” in some way and it will affect the value or resale of a home. But, in reality most mold and moisture issues within a home can be fixed, and the sale of the home can move forward without affecting the integrity and/or value of...

Diagnosis of Mold Allergies and Treatments

Ask the right questions Most doctors don’t even know, believe or understand that mold is or even could be the source of these problems. They don’t test for mold in your blood or urine, even though those tests are available. Blood serum testing is extremely expensive, however, the urine testing is much less costly. But most doctors don’t even know to do those tests. We have had numerous people tell us that they asked their doctor to test them for...

What Types Of Mold Are Considered Toxic Mold

"Toxic mold" is a term that is used to describe types of mold that are considered deadly to humans. Most people believe that the name refers to one particular species of mold; however, it encompasses hundreds of species, a small fraction of which are not very harmful to the human body. Black mold is commonly used as a name for the most harmful mold species, which happen to be black in appearance. However, even molds of a different color can...

Mold Allergy Tests

Your doctor will want to know your signs and symptoms and may want to conduct a physical examination to identify or exclude other medical problems. Your doctor may also recommend one or more skin or blood tests to see if you have an allergy that can be identified. These include: Skin prick test. This test uses diluted amounts of common or suspected allergens, such as molds found in the local area. During the test, these substances are applied to the skin...

Avoiding MOLD

While there are medications and shots which you can take to treat mold allergies, the best response is to avoid exposure to mold and mold spores as much as possible. If you have mold in your home your first priority should be to get rid of it. By removing mold and its spores from your environment you will no longer be breathing in mold allergens, the cause of your allergic reactions, and you will quickly get better.

Good Mold – Bad Mold

Good Mold Mold gets a bad rap of late, but good mold does exist. Penicillium is the typical “blue” mold found on food. Bread that sat too long in the pantry typically develops penicillium. In fact, as the name implies, the very tasty blue cheese is derived from this particular strain of mold. In this day and age, cheese makers now add a commercially reproduced and freeze-dried culture, but originally, penicillium was procured from dark, damp caves and adding to...

Why Does Mold Grow on Walls?

The most common causes of mold growing on walls are high humidity, condensation and water leaks (which are often hidden inside the wall). Condensation forms when water vapor in the air meets cold surfaces and cools to become liquid. Condensation is especially common on walls which form the perimeter of a house. These walls are often colder because of cool outdoor air on the other side. Things like drying wet clothes inside or steam from hot water increases the humidity...

Mold on Windows

Mold on windows is usually caused by cold outdoor air on the other side of the window cooling on the glass causing condensation. Although mold cannot feed on the glass itself, if the window is dirty then mold can feed off of the debris on the window glass and frame material. Condensation can also lead to mold growing around window frames because of moisture condensating on the glass and then running onto the frame. The other place to watch out...

Why does Mold Grow on Walls?

Toxic Mold Removal

In a toxic black mold colony the spores are kept within a slimy, gelatinous mass. Toxic black mold spores are a brownish color although they can't be seen with the naked eye of course. Under the microscope toxic black mold spores that are still attached to the mold colony look similar to a dandelion with clusters of spores growing at the end of a "stem" called hyphae. The wet coating of a toxic black mold colony usually prevents its spores...

Black Mold: Stachybotrys

Black Mold = Stachybotrys Stachybotrys is a genus of molds, or asexually-reproducing, filamentous fungi. Closely related to the genus Memnoniella, most Stachybotrys species inhabit materials rich in cellulose based building materials. The genus has a widespread distribution, and contains about 50 species. The most infamous species, S. chartarum (also known as S. atra) and S. chlorohalonata are known as "black mold" or "toxic black mold" in the U.S. and are frequently associated with poor indoor air quality that arises after fungal...

Prevent Mold in Your Home

Unless you live in the Antarctic, you should be aware that every home has instances of molds and mildews. The fungi are everywhere in our environment, both indoors and out. We ingest them on a daily basis through one means or another - through the air we breathe, the food we eat, our interactions with our pets, and even through invasion of small cuts and abrasions of the skin. A 1999 study by the Mayo Clinic revealed that nearly all...

Michigan Mold Questions: Answered

Common Mold (Non-Toxic) The black mold that you may see growing on grouting and walls of showers and bathtubs is unlikely to be dangerous. The most common mold is Cladosporium. Although it can be an irritant to those with asthma or respiratory disease, it is not known to pose any toxic hazard. It can be removed with various household cleaners. The most effective way to prevent it is by providing adequate ventilation. Vent fans should be installed in all areas...

Category: Mold Questions