A Must Read

Body Systems 

Mold can cause adverse reactions in humans. There are various entry routes that may allow mold egress into the body.

How Mold Can Affect the Respiratory System

The human respiratory system is comprised of your nose, mouth, lungs, trachea, and esophagus. The human nose contains cilia (tiny hairs) and mucous membranes which are designed to catch foreign objects and prevent them from entering further into the respiratory system. The trachea works in a similar manner to catch foreign objects. The lungs contain bronchioles which then lead to many small air sacks. These air sacks distribute air into your blood stream. Mold can cause sneezing, excess mucous production, stuffy sinusitis, and other unpleasant affects. Some mycotoxins (toxins produced by some molds) can cause bleeding lungs and nose. Mold can also be ingested through the mouth down the esophagus into the stomach.

How Mold Can Affect the Human Nervous System

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves comprise the human nervous system. Your brain interprets the feedback from the nerves via our senses and processes this information. Humans then react to this information and behavior in a particular manner. The spinal cord is the information relay center. The medulla also controls breathing and heartbeat. Some nerves communicate sensory information while others help your muscles move a certain direction. Mold can cause memory loss, tremors, numbness, and profound mood or personality changes.

The Vascular Affects of Mold

The heart, blood, and blood vessels comprise the human vascular system. The heart pumps blood throughout the body via arteries, vessels, and capillaries. Arteries take blood away from the heart and veins bring the blood back to the heart. Infection caused by sufficient mold exposure can also adversely change white cells counts while a person is ill.

Mold's Effects on Skin

Skin is the largest organ in the human body and prevents the entry of germs into open tissue. The skins is comprised of 3 layers: the dermis (middle layer), epidermis (top layer), and subcutaneous fat (protective layer). Mold can cause skin rashes, swelling, welts, itching, and pain. People react differently to the same/similar exposure level and time. In addition, repeat exposure to mold can cause some people’s bodies to become even more reactive with each additional exposure.

Toxic Reactions

Health Problems That May Be Caused By Mold Exposure 

The Health Effects of Mold Exposure can be as follows:

• Sneezing
• Sinusitis
• Runny Nose
• Irritated Eyes
• Dermatities
• Migraines and Headaches
• Sore Throat
• Memory Loss
• Fever
• Chronic Fatigue
• Malaise
• Carcinogenic Effects
• Nausea
• Bleeding in Lungs

Stachybotyrs, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium can cause memory loss, joint paint, headaches, fatigue, and depression. Aflavatoxin B from Aspergillus Flavus mold is one of the most potent cancer causing agents and can adversely affect pulmonary macrophage production. Mold toxins are dangerous and can cause cancer,  and suppress the immune system, damage the liver, lungs, and other organs. Some toxins are mutagenic and can actually change the genetic code resulting in birth defects

Sensitization to Mold

Individuals react differently to mold exposure. There is no set dose/time formula or relationship. In addition, in some individuals repeat exposure can cause an increasingly adverse reaction. It is best to avoid mold exposure or to use the proper PPE (such as the proper fit tested mold rated cartridged respirator) and to get a mold problem correctly promptly. Never let water stand without without cleanup within 24-48 hours or to let high humidity levels go unchecked. Remember, the cause of the moisture intrusion must be fixed or the problem will recur.

• Do you ever find yourself feeling more RUNDOWN after you get home than you did before you left work?

• Do you notice more HEADACHES or feelings of nausea in your own home?

• Do you see your spouse, or your children showing more frequent signs of cold and flu-like symptoms: COUGHING, SORE THROAT, SNEEZING, WHEEZING?

• Is there an area in your house that makes your eyes or throat feel SCRATCHY?

• Do you notice a funny MUSTY ODOR that you don’t recall being there before, even though you know you have a clean house?

• Is there a MOISTURE PROBLEM in your house?

Well, those can be frightening questions if you don’t exactly have the “right” answers. But, in a situation where you may not be armed with the best information, (if any at all) who can you really trust? Now you may be asking yourself what could cause all of these problems in my house, one word, MOLD. But wait, you might be saying to yourself, how could it be a mold issue if I keep my house clean? To answer that question it is important to know how and why mold grows.

Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.  When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

The South Eastern Climate is especially ripe for mold growth. More than 70% of the houses tested were found to be contaminated with toxic mold growth. This mold is dangerous. And there is a good chance (if you have it in your home) it could make you and your family sicker than you can imagine… In fact Dr. Chin Yang of Cherry Hill Labs,( the worlds foremost mold scientist) once told me “given sufficient square footage in a confined space (your home) even a NON TOXIC mold will break down your bodies defenses and you will develop an allergic reaction” (it’s only a matter of time).

The mold in your home can even be fatal! It causes many people to die…and often … even their doctors don’t know what went WRONG to make these people sick.

Here are what the experts call the Big Three:

Aspergillus: A mold that is often an opportunistic pathogen(in plain English “a disease causing mold that can attack especially when your immune resistance is lowered cause you’re sick with something else) kind of mold which is often the cause behind Asthma, nerve damage, liver disease, lung disease, heart disease, and severe eye damage. This toxin is so deadly, it is a favorite biological weapon of third world countries where they can make it by the barrel-full.

The bad news is, many South Eastern homes are full of this mold and it is commonly found throughout the wall cavities and heating and cooling systems of the home.

Stachybotrys: “The Black Mold” This is another deadly toxin causing mold and also manufactured by third-world countries. It can be lethal to animals and children. It is often referred to as the “baby killer” and is believed by many to be responsible for killing seven infants in Cleveland, Ohio.

It is found on wet cellulose containing materials like drywall. It is normally found in houses after water damage and prefers to grow in dark places like wall cavities. You should be especially concerned if anyone in your home is experiencing difficulty breathing, dizziness, memory loss, hearing loss, gastrointestinal tract infections, depression, headaches, tremors, skin rashes, Chronic Fatigue or flu-like symptoms.

It also damages vital organs. Farmers have reported unknowingly feeding their cattle hay contaminated with this toxin and witnessing the cows hemorrhaging from their eyes… just before… they dropped dead like flies.

Penicillium: Another disease causing mold responsible for a host of infections including CANCER. Listen: there are dozens more toxic molds (all found within the South East) which mirror these horrible effects. The EPA notes that mold can cause health risks if left untreated.

WARNING SIGNS!!!

A good indicator that your home could be sick and potentially dangerous to your health is if your house has suffered past or recent water damage. Wet Basements (or even damp basements not yet trickling onto the floor) , Roof leaks , Plumbing leaks, window and door leaks, high humidity can all be sources of moisture which can cause the mold to grow! But that’s not all, mold can even lurk in the hidden areas growing behind the walls due to mold creating condensation in places that are rarely discovered ….before its too late. Not only that your furnace or air conditioning system can be contaminated too! That often means that every time you turn on your furnace or your air conditioner, you could potentially be spreading harmful mold spores throughout the house for you and your loved ones TO BREATHE!

YOU PROBABLY THINK THAT I’M JUST TRYING YOU SCARE YOU, RIGHT?

WRONG!        4 of my clients have died from mold!!!

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