A Lowell homeowner will finally be able to move back into dream home after black mold kept her out of her house.
Read more on Community Comes Together To Repair Home…
Filed under black mold by on Apr 14th, 2009. Comment. 
Using a hygrometer
In order to control and prevent house mold, especially toxic black mold, from growing, you need to regulate the level of moisture in your house. Since mold flourishes in high humidity, you need to keep the relative humidity inside low. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a threshold of 60% relative humidity and, therefore, indoor humidity should be maintained below this figure.
Incidentally, if you are not in the U.S., you should check for any variation to that threshold in your part of the world.
Your first step is to measure the level of relative humidity in the house. This is important for two reasons:
1. Obviously, you must know whether the level is above 60% or not so you can decide if anything needs to be done.
2. You must also know where in the house you have a humidity problem as the humidity level in different parts of the house will vary, for example bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, attic, basement, ductwork, wall cavities, etc.
You can easily use a hygrometer (also known as a relative humidity sensor or moisture meter) to measure the humidity level. It does not have to be expensive but, remember, you get what you pay for. I personally prefer the digital version over the analog because it is more accurate and it can also store minimum and maximum relative humidity information which the analog cannot do. One important point is that some hygrometers require calibration before use. Most people prefer to avoid those and choose the models that do not require calibration or maintenance.
So, assuming you are interested in grabbing one of these models for yourself, click here for some of the best available. That way, you will always know what the humidity level inside your house is and stop house mold from taking root indoors.
Filed under black mold by on Mar 28th, 2009. Comment.
Black Mold Exposure follows Michael Roland Williams, filmmaker, and Karen Noseff, founder and designer of Fortune Denim, struggling to regain their livelihood and well-being after they were unknowingly exposed to high levels of various molds that had infested Karens apartment. A growing number of people from all ages and walks of life claim mold made them ill while physicians, lawmakers, and medical ociations dispute the validity of these claims. Most of the symptoms of those claiming …
Duration : 0:2:48
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The documentary will have its premiere at the Magnolia in Dallas, Texas on April 21 at 7.30 pm. Further screenings will follow in select cities. Details at www.blackmoldexposuremovie.com.
I urge you to attend if you can. It’s worth it.
Filed under black mold by on Mar 21st, 2009. 5 Comments.
This is an example of mold, stachybotrys and chaetomium. A 1 year old Palmer Home.
Duration : 0:1:32
Filed under black mold, kill mold by on Mar 21st, 2009. 4 Comments.
This video gives you a very good explanation of what toxic mold is.
Duration : 0:0:58
Filed under black mold, mold removal by on Mar 12th, 2009. Comment.
Have you noticed how many stories about mold have been in the news in recent times? I think these stories highlight the importance of getting rid of mold wherever it may be: home, school, hospital or office building.
For something different, I decided to let these news stories speak for themselves rather than writing a “normal” post. After all, these are real life events that have impacted upon and touched people from all walks of life in a significant way. From babies to high school students to mentally ill children in a hospital to ordinary home buyers to former employees, they have all been affected by this insidious pest.
Take a look at some of these recent news articles and see what you think:
11 March 2009
Bedford County veteran dealing with mold in house
‘Go to your room’ is a common phrase parents tell their kids.
Deshano Hood can’t say that to his 10-year-old daughter, Whitney Nash.
For months mold has spread throughout her bedroom wall inside Hood’s Bedford County home on Somerset Drive, causing concern for Hood and his wife April.
Read the full story here.
9 March 2009
Mother accused of hurting baby says mold to blame
A Syracuse woman who claims she was wrongfully convicted of assaulting her infant daughter based on bronchial tube bleeding that was actually caused by exposure to mold is back in court for a new trial.
…a state Supreme Court justice overturned the conviction earlier this year after the defense provided evidence to support Gallishaw’s claim that she had laundered her baby’s clothing in the mold-infested basement at her mother’s home.
Read the full story here.
6 March 2009
Mold found in Butner hospital gym
Mentally ill kids used the facility
An environmental study has found high levels of mold in a gym used by mentally ill children at a state hospital in Butner.
The spore count in the gym was 61 times that in the air outside the building…
Read the full story here.
6 March 2009
Home Front: Putting mold on hold
SEATTLE – It’s a four-letter word that many potential homebuyers or sellers don’t want to hear during inspections – mold.
Mold can be a nagging problem in our wet regional climate and a home sale killer….
Read the full story here.
4 March 2009
Extensive repairs needed at Selma High
Mold can be seen on the ceiling in the background.Superintendent Dr. Austin Obasohan walked through the corridors of Selma High School. Around each corner, the lights grew dimmer. He walked past classrooms lined with dingy carpet and underneath ceiling tiles stained with water and mold.
Read the full story here.
Enough said. Get rid of your mold problem without delay.
Filed under black mold, mold removal, remove mold by on Mar 11th, 2009. Comment.
An article which appeared in the Washington Post on 1 February 2009 highlights the importance of locating and removing mold from your home.
A jury in Virginia has awarded the Meng family US$ 4.75 million dollars in damages for severe health problems caused by toxic mold found throughout their home. The family does not live in the home anymore.
This is truly a tragic story and should serve as a wake-up call to those who still have doubts about the serious health hazards posed by mold. Here are some of the symptoms that the family suffered:
· Migraines
· Heart palpitations
· Headaches
· Dizziness
· Nosebleeds
· Shortness of breadth
· Memory loss
· Asthma
One thing struck me about this case which is worth mentioning and that is the house was brand new. You don’t normally expect a mold problem in a new house, do you? It seems that’s how the Mengs saw it as well. Even though Mrs. Meng started getting migraines three months after moving into the new home, it was some 15 months later that the husband, Mr. Meng actually tested for and discovered mold.
So, clearly, it seems that you can get a mold problem even though your house may be new. If you have a damp area in your house –whether it is new or not- you’d do well to check it to see if you can spot any evidence of mold growth.
But a word of caution. Unless you know what you’re doing, you should abandon any notion of removing the mold yourself if you do find some. Call a professional or get some training if you fancy yourself as a bit of a handyman.
You will find the full story of what happened to the Meng family here.
Update: In a decision which is generating robust debate and dividing opinion, the original jury award of US$ 4.75 million has now been slashed to US$ 1.4 million. The major sticking point is that the judge found that the Mengs had not suffered “permanent injury”. But note that the Mengs still won their case. This thing still has legs: the next step is likely to be the Virginia Supreme Court where the Mengs will be arguing for the original award to be restored. Stay tuned.
Read the full story here, including the many comments.
Toxic mold in new home
The Mengs talk to Fox5 News about their ordeal
Filed under black mold, clean mold, kill mold, mold removal, remove mold by on Feb 27th, 2009. Comment.
Is Mold Ruining Your Health?
Let’s face it. Mold poses a serious health risk to many people, especially pregnant women, children and the elderly as well as people who already suffer from a pre-existing condition such as asthma.
If you are a mold sufferer who can’t afford to pay a professional thousands of dollars to remove mold from your home, let me introduce you to Mold Manuscript.
Mold Manuscript was written by Maurice Manhattan, a mold specialist. It is a DIY mold removal training book for the handyman who wants to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to safely and easily remove mold anywhere in the home.
The first part of the training book teaches you how to find and locate mold and mildew. The process has been simplified for you and you just follow the detailed procedures outlined to find mold whether it is in the bathroom, kitchen, attic or basement.
The second part focuses on showing you how to properly remove the mold once you have found it. You will be given an easy to follow, step by step guide of the procedures so as to get rid of mold in your home once and for all.
In addition, you will also receive 2 live podcasts to listen to at your leisure in iTunes, mp3, or the web. These are Maurice’s actual coaching methods that he uses to teach home inspectors how to find and remove mold.
And, if you’re one of the first 100 people to buy Mold Manuscript, you will also get three (3) more live podcasts containing the most common (and not so common) FAQ that trainees have asked Maurice in the past. The list is extensive.
Mold Manuscript is a valuable mold removal training product and, without question, represents great value at the price. When you consider how much a professional will charge you to remove and clean mold from your home (a lot!), it’s a no-brainer.
So, if you’re serious about removing mold in your home permanently and save yourself a lot of money in the process, click here to grab your copy of one of the best training books on mold removal.
Filed under black mold, clean mold, kill mold, mold removal, remove mold, Uncategorized by on Feb 21st, 2009. 1 Comment.