•Sick building syndrome »Remember the mysterious "sick building" problems of years past? We now understand that many of these illnesses were caused by mold.
•Homes »We spend so much time at home. Some people are sick at home for years, without knowing why.
•Schools »Because of budget cutbacks in the 1980's, schools are falling behind on repairs. Leaks have led to mold problems in schools all across the country.
•Office buildings »Commercial real estate owners are responsible for addressing leaks. Sometimes they don't--often because of cost-cutting. Don't let it affect your health.
•Stachybotrys »This is the most notorious of the toxic molds. Because of its high toxic production, its presence in an indoor environment is almost always accompanied by serious illness.
•Mycotoxins in Crude Building Materials from Water-Damaged Buildings Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Uusimaa Regional Institute, FIN-00370 Helsinki,1 City of Vantaa Environment Center, FIN-01300 Vantaa,2 City of Helsinki Environment Center, FIN-00530 Helsinki,3 and HUCH Diagnostics, Mycological Laboratory,4 and Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases,5 Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland Received 7 September 1999/Accepted 1 March 2000
•Study of Toxin Production by Isolates of Stachybotrys chartarum and
Memnoniella echinata Isolated during a Study of
Pulmonary Hemosiderosis in Infants BRUCE B. JARVIS,1 W. G. SORENSON,2 * EEVA-LIISA HINTIKKA,3 MARJO NIKULIN,4
YIHONG ZHOU,1 JIAN JIANG,1 SHENGUN WANG,1 SIMON HINKLEY,1 RUTH A. ETZEL,5 AND D. DEARBORN 6 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Joint Institute Food Safety and Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park,
Maryland 20742 1 ; Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 2 ; National Veterinary and Food Research Institute,3 and Department of Microbiology and Epizootology, College of Veterinary Medicine,4 Helsinki, Finland; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 5 ; and Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital, Case Western
Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 6
Received 26 March 1998/Accepted 21 July 1998
•Q: As you mentioned, mycotoxins are very stable--they can remain chemically unchanged for years. Can I successfully clean my infected belongings of them?A: I suspect that nonporous hard surfaces can be cleaned of mycotoxins. It is probably much more difficult to clean porous materials such as fabrics.
•Q: After suffering from mycotoxin exposure, I react in environments with other toxins, such as formaldehyde. Will my hyper-sensitivity subside?A: You might be less sensitive to other types of chemicals after toxins elimination and return to normal immunological function.
•AMA - no antidote for stachybotrysThe AMA recently distributed to doctors by mail a black-cover quick reference guide for biological weapons, along with treatment plans and antidotes (if any). There are twelve disease agents listed. At the top of that list are anthrax, plague, etc. At the bottom of that list is good old stachybotrys under the heading of mycotoxins with "no effective medications" and "no antidote." Other toxins on the list are botulinum and ricin. The guide was printed by AMA in November 2001.
•Certified industrial hygienistsIt's very expensive to have a specialist do the testing for you. But they will do a more thorough job than you can on your own. Plus, you'll need an assessment by an objective professional tester if you intend to pursue litigation.
•Air testing - not so accurate.petri dishes and agar. Home Depot kit is $10.00 for each petri dish.
•Mycotoxin testingThere are essentially three ways to test for mycotoxin exposure. The most common method involves the assessment of mycotoxin-producing species. If mycotoxin-producing species are present, there is a high likelihood of exposure. Unfortunately, the presence of mycotoxin-producing species is not definitive "proof" that mycotoxins are actually present. Therefore a second, more quantitative approach is also used. This method involves chemical analyses of environmental samples (e.g. contaminated materials, settled dust, air samples). Although such analyses may provide a direct measurement of mycotoxin within a given substrate, these methods are complex and require specialized analytical equipment. Furthermore, because mycotoxin production is dependent on a number of environmental and temporal variables, quantitative analyses (analytical methods) may or may not indicate the presence of mycotoxins at that given time or on that given substrate. The third approach for assessing mycotoxin exposure involves biological monitoring either by direct measurements in blood, urine, breast milk, or tissues; or by indirect methods employing antigen-antibody reactions. As with environmental sampling, these methods are also highly specialized, complex, and expensive.
Each of the above methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, there is no way to assume that one is better than the other without knowing all the details of a particular case. For most routine risk assessments, determination of presence or absence of mycotoxin-producing species (or even a given genus) is usually sufficient to assess mycotoxin exposure. In this case, the decision to exclude analytical methods may have been based on costs, time, or the weight of existing evidence.
•Using Black LightCan blacklight to uncover "hidden" mold?
What color is toxic mold?
Does it depend on the variety? If so, what molds are which colors?
Is there a certain type of blacklight we should buy?
Is it possible to use a blacklight to confirm that certain items have been cleaned properly after mold exposure?
Could this method be used to "check out" a possible new home rental or purchase?
Are there any articles that reference using a blacklight in the home for mold detection?
•Ionic Breeze Germicidal Air Purifier---by Sharper Image Recommended by Dr. Richard Lipsey
•Hapa filter from gazoontite
•Hapa vacuumMiel makes a great product
4Remediation process(23)Very complicated. You only want to go through this once. Here's the advice we received from a professional remediation company.
•When cleaning remaining goods, hepa air scrubber should be running and moving air out of the apartment.It costs approximately $125/day to rent one.
•Throw away as much paper as possible.Photo copy the important stuff. This is what takes the longest to clean. Each piece of paper needs to be hepa vacuumed and even then it might not be clean.
•They recommend throwing away bulky items such as pillows, comforters, mattresses, thick blankets.They mentioned that fleece is a sticky fiber, and that's why we've been having some problems. They gave us the contact number for a company that specializes in cleaning clothing that has been exposed to mold. They are in the bay area. Anything with mold growth has to be thrown away.
•They also recommend throwing away baskets, as they are difficult to clean.
•Rugs are nearly impossible to clean.They had an instance where a $15K rug was cleaned 4 times and the toxins were still present.
•Electronics need to be opened up and cleaned by another set of professionals who dip them in some kind of stuff (not sure exactly how it works).
•They said that most insurance companies loose in court cases, even if mold was not part of coverage. You might be OK, because you can claim water damage. I hope that you will be able to recover at least part of the costs.
•Go through all the items you do not needPurge everything that does not add value and is not used. It is not worth the price of cleaning.
•Rent a hepa air scrubber$129/day
•Send all clothing to cleaners- wools to drycleaners, - cottons and other washables to a professional laundy place. All items should be removed from the home while the other items are being cleaned.
•Send shoes to a shoe cleaning place- Again the shoes should not be in the home
•Send hats to a hat cleaning place, that can steam clean them and shape them
•Contract an electronics cleanerElectronics have specilal needs. They will be dipped in chemicals and vaccuumed on the inside
•Dispose of rugsHow??????????????????
•Dispose of mattressHow???????????????
•Dispose of pillows, comforter, etc...
•To clean large cloth items such as couches. Each section needs to be vaccuumed with a hepa vaccuum 4 times.
•Wooden surfaces need to be wiped down with a lint free cloth. Only one wipe per cloth surface, in one direction. Cloth should be folded several times and each area should be used only once. The cloths should then be washed to remove the mold and any residue. The surface then needs to be hepa vaccuumed
•Papers should be vaccuumed on each side with a hepa vaccuum
•Each washable item should be hand washed or washed in a dishwaser, so that all the mold is removed from the surfaces.
•After the remediation an environmental hygienist should re-test the environment to see if there is mold present.
•If the school is not responsivecontact: Superintendent
Board of Education members
other parents
Call the Mayor, then
Call your local Health Department
An attorney
The newspaper
State Health Dept
and have other parents call
form a committee
Environmental protection agency
•Aspergillus Patients »Diagnosis of infection -- It can be very difficult to decide whether or not a patient is suffering from an Aspergillus infection.
•Center for Immune, Environmental, and Toxic Disorders »Presence of molds that release toxins means there are toxins in the air. Make sure to click on the more button or here: http://www.immunotoxicology.com/pages/molds3.htm
4Mycotoxicosis(14)Toxic poisoning is a common sickness resulting from exposure to toxic molds.
•Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP). HP may occur after repeated exposures to an allergen and can result in permanent lung damage
•Cannot get 100% of the evidence needed.Does not mean that it is not there...
•Finnish studySubsequent experimentation by Finnish workers (Nikulin, et al. 1996; Nikulin et al. 1997) in adult mice and by Dr. Dearborn's laboratory (Yike et al.) in infant rats has demonstrated that inhalation or tracheal instillation of Stachybotrys spores produces alveolar hemorrhage unless low-toxin or toxin-extracted spores are used. These studies further demonstrate histiologically that the spores do reach the distal airways as expected from the aerodynamic size of ca. 5 microns (Sorenson, et al.) The internal review group was aware of the Finnish studies and the external group heard a presentation of Dr. Dearborn's infant rat data.
•Organic Dust Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) ODTS may occur after a single heavy exposure to dust contaminated with fungi and produces flu-like symptoms.
•Stachybotrys testingResearch findings presented at the Third International Conference on Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins in Saratoga Springs, New York indicate that the viable Stachybotrys chartarum recovery is significantly enhanced with the use of Corn Meal Agar (CMA). Corn Meal Agar is a general purpose media that has been used for many years to cultivate fungi.
In light of these findings it is strongly recommended that IAQ professionals attempting to recover viable Stachybotrys chartarum from the environment or indoor air use CMA. Samples should be sent to an AIHA EMPAT Proficiency Tested Microbial Laboratory for enumeration and identification.
Remember that typically a majority of airborne Stachybotrys chartarum propagules are nonviable and that the most efficient method for measuring airborne levels of viable and nonviable Stachybotrys spores is through the use of a Zefon Air-O-Cell cassette, Burkhard spore trap or other method that does not require spore viability for quantitation.
If you would like more information about Stachybotrys or CMA please call us at 800-651-4802.
•PenicilliumPenicillium is a large genus of fungi with 150 recognized species, nearly 100 of which have been reported to produce mycotoxins. The range of classes of mycotoxin producing species of Penicillium is broader than for any other fungal genus and the molecular composition of these toxins is diverse. Although toxicity due to Penicillium species is also very diverse, most toxins can be placed into two broad groups: those that affect liver or kidney function, and those that are neurotoxins. The most significant disease associated with Penicillium mycotoxins is Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) which is believed to affect some 20,000 people in the rural Danube River Basin in Eastern Europe. BEN involves progressive renal failure and atrophia of the kidney. The disease is fatal, with half of the sufferers dying within two years. Ochratoxin A produced by Penicillium verrucosum is believed to be the etiological agent of this disease. Although the production of Penicillium mycotoxins in food and feeds has been well documented and exposure through ingestion well studied, the effects of Penicillium contaminated indoor environments on human health are poorly understood. This is compounded by the fact that only rarely is Penicillium the only single contaminant in a moldy indoor environment and the synergistic affect of multiple fungi/mycotoxin exposure through inhalation of aerosolized propagules has not been studied. Some of the more significant mycotoxins produced by species of Penicillium besides Ochratoxin A include: Patulin, Citrinin, Citreoviridin, Cyclopiazonic acid, Penitrem A, PR toxin, Roquefortine C and Secalonic
•AspergillusThere are more than 160 different species of Aspergillus, 16 of which have been documented as etiological agents of human disease. The aspergilli are probably the most common group of fungi in our environment. Many species of the genus are frequently isolated from a variety of substrata, including forage products, grains, nuts, cotton, organic debris and water damaged organic building materials. Because of the ubiquity of the aspergilli within the environment, man is constantly exposed to these fungi. The diseases caused by species of Aspergillus are relatively uncommon and are rarely found in individuals with normally functioning immune systems. However, due to the substantial increase in populations of individuals with active immune suppression, such as individuals with HIV, chemotherapy patients and those on corticosteriod treatment, contamination of building substrates with fungi, particularly Aspergillus species have become an increasing concern. Aspergillosis is now the second most common fungal infection requiring hospitalization in the United States. The most frequently encountered opportunistic Aspergillus pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus, is seen most abundantly in decomposing organic materials. Because it grows well at temperatures up to 55°C, self-heating compost piles provide an excellent environment for the fungi. Compost made up of chipped branches and leaves will often yield a massive and virtually pure culture of A. fumigatus. A. fumigatus has been reported to be the major organism isolated from air samples obtained near compost sites. People who handle compost or decomposing haystacks often develop hypersensitivity to spores of Aspergillus and after exposure may suffer a severe allergic response. Aspergillus flavus is the second most frequently encountered fungi in cases of infection with Aspergillus species. In addition to causing infections, Aspergillus flavus is also renowned for its production of aflatoxin, one of the most potent carcinogens known to man. Concern about aflatoxin began in the 1960's after some 100,000 turkey poults in Great Britain died as a result of ingesting feed tainted with aflatoxin. When it became evident that aflatoxin was highly carcinogenic most industrialized countries established tolerances for aflatoxin levels in food and feeds. The risks associated with airborne exposure to aflatoxin in contaminated buildings, as with other mycotoxins, have not been adequately studied. Aspergillus niger is the third most common aspergilli associated with disease and is more common than any other Aspergillus species within the genus and is found in and upon the greatest variety of substrates. It is commonly associated with "fungus ball", a condition wherein fungus actively grows in the human lung, forming a ball, without invading lung tissue. Because invasive aspergillosis occurs most frequently among highly immunosuppressed patients, the presence of Aspergillus spores in hospital air has important implications. Aspergillus spores frequently occur in hospitals throughout the world and a number of severe outbreaks resulting in deaths due to disseminated invasive aspergillosis have been reported following renovation activities in hospitals. A study of 39 bone marrow transplant patients who resided in rooms equipped with whole wall laminar flow HEPA filtration units reported no cases of nosocomial aspergillosis. In sharp contrast, 14 cases of nosocomial aspergillosis in 74 bone marrow transplant recipients occurred in patients housed elsewhere. It is critical that adequate engineering controls are implemented during renovations at hospitals or at any facility the immunosuppressed frequent.
•MycotoxinsExposure to saprophytic fungi (molds) in indoor environments has been linked to a number of adverse health effects including, but not limited to, lethargy, allergies, asthma, infection, dermatitis and hypersensitive pneumonitis. While the aforementioned symptoms are intuitive and largely recognized by both the scientific and lay communities, there are significant secondary health effects associated with exposure to fungi, including idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in infants, cytotoxicity, cognitive impairment, encephalopathies, immunosuppression, and cancer. Research indicates that these secondary health effects may be caused by the mycotoxins produced by the fungi. Although still controversial, in the end mycotoxins may prove to be major components in the health effects reported by victims of fungal exposur e. Below are listed some of the more likely mycotoxins that may occur in indoor environments as indicted by ACGIH, the producing organisms, and mode of activity. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus, and other Aspergillus spp. Health effects: forms DNA adducts, hepato-toxic, carcinogenic, immunotoxic. Alternariol is produced by Alternaria spp. Health effects: cytotoxic, teratogenic. Citrinin is produced by Penicillium expansum. Health effects: carcinogenic. Chaetoglobosins is produced by Chaetomium globosin. Health effects: inhibits cell division. Cytochalasins is produced by Aspergillus clavatus. Health effects: inhibits cell division. Epicladosporic acid is produced by Cladosporium spp. Health effects: immunosuppressive. Fumonisins is produced by Fusarium spp. Health effects: inhibits sphingolipid biosynthesis, neurotoxic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, carcinogenic. Fumitremorgens is produced by Aspergillus fumigatus. Health effects: tremorgenic. Gliotoxin is produced by Aspergillus fumigatus. Health effects: blocks membrane tiol groups, immunosuppressive, cytotoxic. Griseofulvins is produced by Memnoniella, P. griseo-fulvum and P. viridicatum. Health effects: hepatotoxic, tumorigenic, teratogenic. Mycophenolic acid is produced by Penicillium brevicompactum. Health effects: blocks inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, immunosuppressive. Ochratoxins are produced by Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium viridicatum. Health effects: forms DNA adducts, inhibits protein synthesis (phenyalanyl-t-RNA synthetase), nephrotoxic, carcinogenic. Patulin is produced by Paecilomyces variatii and P. expansum. Health effects: inhibits potassium uptake, possible carcinogen. Trichothecenes - satratoxins, verrucarins, and roridins are produced by Stachybotrys chartarum and Fusarium spp. Health effects: inhibits protein and nucleic acid synthesis, immunosuppressive, hemotoxic, hemorrhagic. Sporidesmin is produced by Pithomyces chartarum. Health effects: hepatotoxic. Stachybotrylactams and lacones are produced by Stachybotrys chartarum. Health effects: immunosuppressive. Sterigmatocystin is produced by Aspergillus versicolor. Health effects: hepatotoxic, carcinogenic. Tenuazoic acid is produced by Alternaria alternata and Phoma soghina. Health effects: nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, hemorrhagic. Verrucosidin is produced by Penicillium polonicum. Health effects: neurotoxic. *Data from Burge and Ammann (1999) and Jacobsen et al., 1993. Burge, H. A. and Ammann, H. A., 1999. Fungal Toxins and b-(1®3)-D-Glucans. Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control, Edited by J. Macher, H. A. Ammann, H. A. Burge, D. K. Milton, and P. R. Morey (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Cin cinnati, Ohio), pp. 24-1 - 24-13. Jacobsen, B. J., Bowen, K. L., Shelby, R. A., Diener, U. L. Kemppainen, B. W., and Floyd, J. 1993. Mycotoxins and Mycotoxicoses. Circular ANR-767 (Alabama Cooperative Extension Service), 16 pp.
4Gastro Intestinal Symptoms(9)When aflotoxins and spores carrying these toxins fall on to surfaces used for food (counter tops, kitchen tables) they are then ingested.
•Theory 1 - Cows Feedlactose and maybe trying
the Lactaid drops again when I came across some more
info about milk. I don't have the article right now
but it said that the milk can get a high level of
mycotoxins from feeding the cow's contaminated corn,
hay, or clover. I now believe my son was reacting to
the mycotoxins in the milk instead of the lactose. He
is always much sicker in the winter months when they
feed the cattle grain and hay vs. summer months when
they graze more.
•Theory 2 - Mold attacks enzymes
•Theory 3 - High levels of yeast in the bodyHigh level of yeast in your body will cause you to be
lactose intolerant which is also caused by toxic mold.
•White stuff in stool
•Geotrichum or Gliocladium: fungi that are similar and commonly found in soil and on decomposing plant matter, damp canvas, wood, and paper products. They are opportunistic pathogens that are a common cause of allergenic response for sensitive individuals.
•GeotrichumThis fungus is a common contaminant of dairy products, post-harvest crops, moist building materials, and a variety of textiles.
Inflammation of the heart cavity linings (endocarditis), inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and respiratory infections have been reported.
•Geotrichum in rooms »Contamination Concerns
This fungus is a common contaminant of dairy products, post-harvest crops, moist building materials, and a variety of textiles. Infections: Although rarely pathogenic in humans, inflammation of the heart cavity linings (endocarditis), inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), and respiratory infections have been reported
•Aflatoxicosis »"Acute aflatoxicosis is produced when moderate to high levels of aflatoxins are consumed. Specific, acute episodes of disease ensue may include hemorrhage, acute liver damage, edema, alteration in digestion, absorption and/or metabolism of nutrients, and possibly death.
Chronic aflatoxicosis results from ingestion of low to moderate levels of aflatoxins. The effects are usually subclinical and difficult to recognize. Some of the common symptoms are impaired food conversion and slower rates of growth with or without the production of an overt aflatoxin syndrome. "
•Dr. Gray's clinical evidence Specifically, Dr. Gray's clinical evidence confirmed the presence of B-cell proliferation, excessive T-cell activation, inhibition of suppressor cell complement receptor sites, suppression of Natural Killer Cell populations which are centrally involved in cancer cell surveillance and destruction, and excessive mitogen suppression, confirmed by inhibition of stimulated lymphocyte mitosis in the presence of extracts of pokeweed, concanavillin A (Con-A), and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) implying the inhibition of immune cell reproduction, generally considered necessary to mounting a competent immune response. In short, the immune system is showing signs of being excessively stimulated by the inhalation of respirable spores, and simultaneously is being partially inhibited by the effects of the mycotoxins released by those spores."
•Toxin Linked to Testicular Cancer »WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - A Wake Forest University cancer researcher has proposed that a compound found in certain foods may be a cause of testicular cancer in young men.
Writing in the February 2002 issue of Cancer Causes and Control, Gary G. Schwartz, Ph.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., proposes that exposure to a common carcinogen called ochratoxin A during childhood or even before birth may set up the testes so that testicular growth during puberty triggers the launch of testicular cancer.
Ochratoxin A results from molds that grow in grains and coffee beans and is found in animals that consume moldy grain, especially pigs.
"Little is known about the etiology of testicular cancer, which is the most common cancer among young men," said Schwartz, associate professor of cancer biology and public health sciences. It strikes men mostly between 14 and 34. He said that epidemiologic data point to exposure either in the womb or early in life, "but the nature of the exposure is unknown."
Schwartz's new theory calls for a process that takes several steps. It begins with exposure to ochratoxin A during pregnancy or early childhood, which induces damage to testicular DNA. Ochratoxin A is transferred through the placenta to the fetus, and also is present in mothers' milk, so infants could be exposed through breastfeeding. The DNA changes remain dormant until testicular growth at puberty promotes these changes in testicular DNA into cancer.
Testicular cancer is primarily a disease of young white men, and it shows marked geographic variation. For instance, the incidence is higher among northern Europeans than central or southern Europeans. Schwartz noted that grains grown in northern Europe are more likely to be contaminated because weather conditions during harvest season promote mold.
The highest rate in Europe is in Denmark, 7.8 cases per 100,000 per year. Consumption of pork products in Denmark is among the highest in the world, and Danes also eat the most rye, the cereal grain that is most often contaminated by ochratoxin A.
Another interesting element: testicular cancer is more common among people of higher socioeconomic levels. These are the groups most likely to breastfeed.
"We propose that exposure to ochratoxin A contaminated food provides a coherent explanation for much of the descriptive epidemiology of testicular cancer," Schwartz said, adding that future studies of testicular cancer "should focus on breastfeeding practices and the consumption of ochratoxin A containing foods such as cereals, pork products, milk and coffee by mothers and their male children."
If all this turns out to be correct, Schwartz offers several possible solutions. Public health efforts may be able to reduce exposure to ochratoxin A. Alternatively, public health efforts may reduce the genotoxicity of ochratoxin A exposure. The toxicity of ochratoxin A could be reduced by giving pregnant women drugs like aspirin or indomethacin or vitamins A, C and E, he said.
"These agents, in animals at least, markedly reduce the DNA damage caused by ochratoxin A," Schwartz said. Aspartame, the artificial sweeter, is similar structurally to ochratoxin A, and is a potent ochratoxin A antagonist.
Source: Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center
•No longer getting coldsIn response to all the comments about many of you noticing the absence of
colds, I would like to pass on a philosophy from a doctor. He believes
that the absence of a occasional cold is not a good thing. It takes
energy from our bodies to have a cold. If we are not "healthy" enough to
afford that energy, our bodies won't allow it. The problem is that we
all are harboring toxins that normally come out with a cold. According
to him, in a healthly person, it is "normal" to have a cold 1-2 times /
year to shed those toxins. He also commented that in many cancer
patients they often won't get a cold cause they can't "afford" it. So,
thank God for the occasional cold! If you aren't getting any, it may be
best to try to build your immune system up to the point where your body
feels the extra energy to handle the cold.
•Thyroid, ovaries, testes, pancreas, and parietal cells in the stomachThis is what the Environmental Allergist (Dr. Tipu Saltan a Diplomate
of the American Board of Environmental Medicine, Fellow of the
American Academy of Environmental Medicine, Fellow of American
Acadmey of Pediatrics and a Diplomate of the American Board of
Pediatrics) has to say regarding the thyroid and autoimmune diesease.
I had suspected our mold related illness had progressed into an
autoimmune disease years ago. Perhaps, as some of us have thought,
our thyroids have been affected by mold.
Autoimmune Diseases- "an immune dysregulation occurs when the body's
immune system starts producing antibodies against its own tissues. It
often results from chronic allergic reactions that weaken the immune
system. Any part of the body may be involved. The most common organs
involved are thyroid (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), ovaries, testes,
pancreas, and parietal cells of the stomach. It results in failure of
tissue functions."
•Experts1. Dr. Marinkovich - best for mold allery like symptoms. 2. Dr. Shoemaker (Pocomoke, MD)
3. Dr. Johanning
4. Dr. Herman (Sacto)
5. Dr. Gray (Arizona)
6. Dr. Ordog in LA
•Dr. Ordog - Los Angeles, CA23206 Lyons Ave.
(661) 799-1689
•Dr. Eckardt Johanning - New York »Dr. Eckardt Johanning
P.O. Box 3148
Occupatinal & Environmental Life Science
Fungal Research Group, Inc.
650 Warren Street
Albany, NY 12208
518/459-3336
e-mail at johanni2@crisny.org www.fungalresearchgroup.com
•Dr. Busher of Seattle Washington Types of treatments prescribed: STRICT diet - for fungal infection, yeast overgrowth
Immuno Therapy - for allergies/hypersensitivities to mold
Nystatin - kill yeast/mold
Spornox Nasal Spray - kill mold in nose
Cholestyramine - encapsulate toxins
•Dr. Graham, Tennessee865-675-7964
•Jeannette G. Warner, MD5200 Babcock St., NE
Palm Bay, FL 32905
Office Phone: 321-722-1933
Office Fax 321-722-0744
Cell 407-257-1171
•Dr. Portnoy who is in Kansas City at Children's Mercy Hospital
•Andrew Campbell - TexasDr. Andrew Campbell
Spring, Texas (near Houston)
281-364-1013
Center for Immune and Toxic Disorders. Rumors are that he is not board certified (?)
•Suggestions from someone on toxic mold survivorsDr. Michael Harbut (Environmental/Occupational Medicine)
(the Adult counterpart to Dr. Dearborn, the children's mold specialist in Cleveland)
118 N. Washington Ave
Royal Oak MI 48067
248-547-9100
Dr. Gerard Williams -Neuropsychology
Vicki Cox - evaluator (she is also evaluting children for Dr. Dearborn)
6201 Miller Rd
Swarty Creek MI 48473
810-630-1152
Dr. Robert Spitzer - Neurology
20180 W. 12 Mile Rd #10
Southfield MI 48076
248-358-3299
•Medi-Net »Toll-free: 888/275-6334
For a fee* Medi-Net accesses databases from the AMA, three federal agencies and all 50 state medical boards to provide basic background information on a doctor and whether he or she has been disciplined for billing fraud, overprescribing, incompetence or another offense. *$14.75 for one doctor when ordering from the website ($29.99 when calling).
•American Board of Medical Specialties »47 Perimeter Center East, Suite 350
Atlanta, GA 30346
800/776-2378
This organization will tell you whether a doctor is board certified or board eligible in a particular area. “Board certified” means the doctor has completed two additional years of training and passed a national examination. “Board eligible” means that the training, but not the test, has been completed.
•American Medical Association (AMA) »Department of Physician Data Services
515 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60616
Through the AMA you can find out about a doctor’s educational background and areas of medical specialty and whether or not the doctor is a member of the AMA. You can also check the American Medical Association Medical Directory at your local public library or bookstore.
4Mold-free diet(62)Here's a list of foods to avoid. They are rich in fungal (mold) protein allergens.
A special diet which enriches the glutathione content of cells is available and shows great promise with respect to brain, immune and pulmonary function. Cells need glutathione to deal with toxins and use it as an antioxidant. While this nutritional supplement is available free of charge, it can only be given to a patient who is willing to have brain, immune and pulmonary function studies before and again after two to three months of treatment with that diet. These tests are meant to study the patient’s progress and to guide us in further therapy.
Another nutritional supplement contains blue green algae which have also been shown to increase brain and immune function. This nutritional supplement is available free of charge for patients who have been carefully studied before treatment and are willing and able to be studied after a few months of treatment.
•Keep a food diary and see how you feel The elimination diet works by first eliminating enough foods so that you feel good for at least 2 weeks then start adding things back slowly one at a time to see which ones cause reactions.
•BreadsSourdoughs are the worst (sometimes labeled yeast-free), such as pumpernickle, coffee cakes and other foods made with large amounts of yeast. Bread develops surface mold after a day. Tortillas, biscuits, muffins, cakes and cookies are yeast-free. Dough conditioners are moldy.
•BranThe outer cover of grain is variably moldy.
•Enriched pasta The vitamins may contain binding agents that have mold
•Boxed cereals. The vitamins may contain binding agents that have mold
•Tomato productsJuice, sauce, paste, ketchup etc. are made from moldy tomatoes.
•Fruit and Vegetables
•Oranges, lemons, and other acidic foods
•BananacFungicide is injected during growing
•PineappleChemically altered to produce year round
•White onionsMay contain aspergillus
•Grapes if the stems have turned brownGrapes are prone to aspergillus
•Corn, some nuts, cottonseedIn the United States, aflatoxins have been identified in corn and corn products, peanuts and peanut products, cottonseed, milk, and tree nuts such as Brazil nuts, pecans, pistachio nuts, and walnuts. Other grains and nuts are susceptible but less prone to contamination.
•BeerThe darker the brew, the more mold it contains.
•Cider and homemade rootbeerCommercial rootbeer is fine.
•Wine and wine vinegarWhite wine is least moldy, clear vinegar may be tolerated.
•Most liquorsVodka, tequila, clear rum are least moldy.
•Vinegar and vinegar-containing foodsMayonnaise and other salad dressings, catsup, chili sauce, pickles, pickled beets, relishes, sauerkraut, and green olives
•Soy sauce
•Canned or frozen juices
•All sodas Some people found to only tolerate water
6Meat(4)Do not eat meat or fish more than 24 hours old. Avoid food if made from leftovers such as meatloaf, hash and croquettes.
•HamburgerOften from aged meat, eat within a day of grinding, can be frozen.
•Pickled and smoked meats and fishIncluding delicatessen foods, sausages, frankfurters, corned beef and pickled tongue.
•Processed meatsHot dogs, sausage, salami, bologna, etc. Ham, turkey, pastrami may be OK.
Niacin stimulates lipid mobilization by triggering the release of free fatty acids into the bloodstream. It has been demonstrated that, while free fatty acid levels drop initially after taking immediate-release niacin, they rise markedly within two hours and continue at high levels for some time.
Moderate aerobic exercise:
This increases circulation, which ensures quick distribution of the niacin throughout the body and carries mobilized toxins to the excretory routes.
Intermittent sauna to force sweating:
As shown in several studies on this procedure, sweat is a primary elimination route for toxins. Sauna temperatures range from 140 to 180 degrees, lower than the typical health-club sauna. The sauna must be well-ventilated. Subjects take frequent showers, both to cool down and to remove substances from the skin and prevent their re-absorption. Liquids are administered and participants are monitored for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
Ingestion of cold-pressed oils:
These are provided to prevent mobilized toxins from being re-absorbed by the intestines because the body needs lipids. Polyunsaturated oils have been found to enhance excretion of extremely persistent chemicals, without depositing fat in the liver.
Vitamin and mineral supplementation:
The oil taken to prevent re-absorption of mobilized toxins may also reduce absorption of important nutrients. A resulting deficiency could increase the toxicity of mobilized chemicals such as PCBs. An increased intake of nutrients prevents such toxic effects, as well as balancing the intake of niacin.
A summary of research supporting the elements of this program is found in an Appendix to the Proceedings of the First International Conference on Chemical Contamination and Human Detoxification.
•Dry Sauna
•VitaminsD3 Nyeson to flush toxins in fatty tissues
•Seaweed baths are considered very therapeutic because of their very high mineral content. Some call these baths iodine baths, since the iodine content of 1/3 of a cup of seaweed is more than 2000 times the RDA. I feel my thyroid stimulated from seaweed baths, just like when I do the thyroid-stimulating headstand pose in yoga. Seaweed baths also reportedly benefit other organs, including the adrenal glands, because of its vitamin K content, and helps maintain hormone balance.
•Loose any excess weightToxins are stored in excess fat cells
•Regular sauna several times per weekThe sauna must have flow of oxygen and outflow of air so that you do not breath the toxins back in. Toxins are released at 135 degrees
•Consititutional hydrotherapyTake frequent wirlpool baths with detox soaks such as ABRA cellular detox bath
•Herbal supplementsHerbal supplements. We recommend a special preparation of Chinese herbs to bring back quality tears.
Gingko Biloba can be useful when it comes to assisting brain function and is therefore usually recommended. Here again, its blood thinning properties should be considered when the patient is also on aspirin and/or vitamin E.
Hormonal Replacement Therapy. Many patients with chronic fatigue have low DHEA sulfate blood levels and then often respond to DHEA supplements.
•Steam SaunaA steam sauna is available in our office and used to introduce patients to this procedure, initially under medical supervision. The sauna we use is a one-person sauna and therefore does not expose our patients to someone else while taking a sauna.
Each sauna in our office is medically supervised. If initially acceptable and successful, we arrange for purchase of a unit by referring the patient to the manufacturer.
Sauna therapy is especially useful in patients who cannot avoid ongoing exposure to chemicals.
•Cognitive trainingneuro-biofeedback approach in which we display cerebral cortical blood flow with the help of a near infrared beam on a monitor. The patient sees the trace, follows the trace on the monitor and eventually learns to move the trace upward. This then corresponds to increased cerebral blood flow in the area of interest. We give two sessions a week. More sessions can give an added advantage and will then be considered. We suggest an initial series of ten treatments, and then reevaluate the patient and decide whether another series of treatment is indicated.
We have seen success with this treatment: Patients have improved cognitive function. Also, before and after SPECT brain scans show improvement of blood flow.
•Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO). Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO). In our office, a portable HBO unit is available for treatment sessions which usually last one hour. During this time the patient is exposed to an increased barometric pressure and is exposed to oxygen blown into the portable unit. Here again, we commit our patients to an initial series of ten treatments after which the patient will be reevaluated. We have shown that this treatment will increase blood flow as measured with before and after SPECT brain scans. Patients respond with more energy, better cognitive function, less fatigue and less pain.
•Vitamin B 12Vitamin B 12. We recommend that patients get 2000 mcg intramuscularly once a week for six weeks. This may well help their sensory neuropathy but also often increases the patient’s energy level. With one exception, we have never seen a reaction to vitamin B12 injections, even in very sensitive patients. B12 injections often provide significant improvement even if base line blood levels of B12 are within normal limits.
4Herbs and Supplements(5)start with vitamin C, especially in patients who have low natural killer function and impaired mitogenesis on immune testing. At least 2000 mg a day of vitamin C is necessary to boost immune function. Higher levels may be necessary. However, we always obtain 24-hour urine collection for oxalates to guard against the risk of precipitating kidney stones with high doses of vitamin C.
As a second step we usually add vitamin E and recommend 400 to 800 IU a day. It should be understood that vitamin E may thin the blood and should therefore be administered with caution when the patient is also on aspirin and/or Ginkgo Biloba.
Beta carrotene is usually well tolerated is added as a third supplement.
Zinc will serve to be useful for immune support.
Other supplements are added on an as needed and individualized basis
•Colloidal Silver will kill virus, bacteria, fungi and one cell parasitesTry placing it in the nose as well as swallowing it after it has been held in the mouth and swished for as long as you can. (not in that order :)
•Sav-A-Hoof GelThe special culture pictured in the jar isolated the fungus Geotrichum. This fungus is an aggressive saprophyte that grows vigorously on organic matter. It is commonly found in sewage treatment plants and is a spore former, which means it is difficult to eliminate. As shown in Figure 5, the Sav-A-Hoof Gel effectively killed this fungus, as well.
The best way to treat white line disease is first to recognize it early and then treat it with a product that is a broad-spectrum bactericide as well as a fungicide. You must remember that dry, cool conditions are your ally and that warm, wet ones are your enemy. Because some of the different organisms present are capable of producing spores, you must choose a product that is powerful and stays active for a long time. It takes time and patience to treat these infections once they gain a foothold. Even if you don't kill all the organisms initially, you may kill enough of them to slow the advancement of the disease to the point that it may grow out with successive trimmings.
•Essential Oils - Anise, Basil, coriander, and oregano are highly inhibitory to fungal growthThe abilities of particular herbs or spices to inhibit the growth of a particular pathogen varied. Among the extracts tested, essential oil from oregano proved to be the most effective deterrent to the well-known food safety threats E. coli, Listeria, and Staphylococcus. While oregano oil almost completely inhibited pathogen growth, carrot oil failed to deter growth among any of the test strains. Coriander and basil oils were highly inhibitory to E. coli O157:H7 and other bacteria tested, but anise oil did not particularly limit bacteria growth. Anise did, however, inhibit molds. Basil, coriander, and oregano were also highly inhibitory to fungal growth. In all, seven of the 12 extracts tested proved a strong deterrent to the growth of at least one of the pathogens studied. Further tests will determine whether these herb and spice oils can serve as alternatives or supplements to substances presently used to control the growth of harmful microbes in foods
•Grapefuit SeedGrapefuit seed extract (GSE) is emerging as one of the most powerful and broad-ranging anti-bacterial agents in nature. An in vitro study of the effectiveness of GSE against 194 bacterial and 93 fungal strains observed that at 0.5% concentration, the growth of all but two of these microorganisms was inhibited. The outstanding two were inhibited at a higher concentration of 1-2%. Included in this test were organisms such as Candida albicans, Streptococcus, Geotrichum, and haemolytic E.Coli.
It appears plain from these results that GSE could be extremely beneficial in the treatment of a very wide range of conditions. It has been found to be especially suitable for reducing pathological organisms in the gastrointestinal tract. GSE is recommended for those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and of course, Candida or Candida-related conditions. GSE is also a suitable aid for the prevention of traveller's diarrhoea and as a natural water decontaminant.
•Neem cureNeem has proved effective against certain fungi that infect the human body. Such fungi are an increasing problem and have been difficult to control by synthetic fungicides. For example, in one laboratory study, conducted by Khan and Wassilew – 1987, Neem preparations showed toxicity to cultures of 14 common fungi, including members of the following genera:
• Trichophyton – an ‘athlete’s foot’ fungus that infects hair, skin and nails;
• Epidermophyton – a ‘ringworm’ that invades both skin and nails of the feet;
• Microsporum – a ‘ringworm’ that invades hair, skin and (rarely) nails;
• Trichosporon – a fungus of the intestinal tract;
• Geotrichum – a yeast like fungus that causes infections of the bronchi, lungs and mucous membranes;
• Candida – a yeast-like fungus that is part of the normal flora but can get out of control, leading to lesions in mouth (thrush), vagina, skin, hands and lungs.
•IVIG treatments plasma treatments for toxin enduced demyelination (nerve sheath damage). It is also supposed to help rebuild your immune system.
•Mineral supplement »Ionix supreme is a great supplement to boost the body's resiliance.
•Digestive Enzymes
•Immune System booster »spray contains the finest source of bovine colostrum available to support the immune system and help with allergic symptoms
•Prevention of sinus problems »Dr. Marinkovich treated fungal sinusitis with Nizoral anti-fungal nose spray and ketokonazole anti-fungal in the nebulizer. Also Sporanox has been a part of his treatment. All this medicine is helpful if systemic fungal infection is diagnosed.
•Ultra Cat Scan of your chest, (not a regular cat scan)Conventional CT requires that patients hold their breath and remain completely immobile during the scan, which makes it very difficult to obtain an accurate image of some patients. Spiral CT produces image quality that is superior to conventional CT. Spiral CT technology allows clinicians to see very thin cross-sections, or slices of the anatomy; the thinner the slice, the better the resolution. There are many brand names of scanners. "Ultra CAT SCAN" =Marconi Medical Systems' CT scanner. What you should look for in a CT is a Hi Speed Unit. I'm a Radiology Technologist and feel that GE Medical Systems has some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment. Because of my medical problems; I have been reading on equipment and have found that GE has a new "GE ADVANCED LUNG ANALYSIS CT". Sorry to say, but in medicine there are huge amounts of money involved. To build a diagnostic department, to purchase equipment, and to acquire a quality staff; there are billions of dollars involved. Financially, it is very difficult for a diagnostic center, office, or most hospitals to update to the latest technology. The diagnostic center or hospital must perform exams to pay for what they purchased 3 to 10 years ago. (Outdated equipment). Now, if the Radiologist is in an office I'm sure he/she has a financial interest. Do you feel that the Radiologist will send you to another diagnostic facility? At one time, I purchased medical imaging equipment. I was unable to purchase the very best medical imaging equipment due to the cost of the more technically advanced equipment. While working in small hospitals, I have always felt that I would have imaging exams at a large institution. I have found that the very large Universities have some of the better equipment due to the fact that large manufactures place the latest CT's for obtaining data on their new technology. If you plan to ask information from a Radiologist, call a university. Technology in the imaging field changes weekly, therefore, it is very difficult to stay informed in all of the imaging modalities. These are just some of my humble opinions.
Here is the site for the GE advanced Lung Analysis CT. Call GE and inquire where there is a unit in your area. Sometimes, your will only find a few units of the latest imaging machines in the US. find http://www.gemedicalsystems.com/rad/ct/applications/adv_lung/index.html
•PCR Testing blood serum testing equated to one's genetic exposures to mold (or other pathogens/microbes) instead of antigen to one's immune response system. I have attached where this testing (which is more
expensive than MAST IgE/IgG Antibody testing, but I feel well worth the expense). The letters stand for Polymerase Chain Reaction referring to genetic base chemical activity/coding. I believe that even though both the MAST testing and PCR testing are not certified for litigation standards by
any regulating federal agency, they are both very accurate and can help in
the early detection and diagnosis of systemic fungal disease. There will
come a day when their processing will become established credible evidence.
I have personally observed their use help to save human life. Hope that
helps (See attachment above). God Bless you and your health.
•StachybotrysCoordinate a blood serum test for Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) with IBT Reference Laboratory 10453 West 84th Terrace, Lenexa, KS 66214. Phone 1-(800) 637-0370. Testing and ID Numbers are as follows: #1704 HSP Panel IgG, #1712 Stachybotrys Panel, and #2409 BRI Panel
•MASTCoordinate a blood serum test for Environmental MAST IgG Panel #16 with Hitachi Chemical Diagnostics, Inc., MAST Allergy Testing Service, 630 Clyde Court, Mountain View, CA 94043 Phone: (650) 961-5501 or 1-(800) 233-6278 and Fax (650) 969-2745. Test for 13 fungi species, dust mites, cockroach, etc.
•iGe, IGGProfessional Consultation/Referral: Dr. Vincent A. Marinkovich, M.D. (Diplomate, Am. Board of Allergy and Clinical Immunology), Graduate: CA Institute of Technology, Physics (1955), Harvard Medical School (1955), Pediatrics training John’s Hopkins Hospital (1959-61), Oxford University and King’s College London, Immunogenetics (1961-62), CA Institute of Technology, Specialized Immunology (1962-66), Brompton Research Hospital London, Fungal Hypersensitivity (1972-73), Founder and Chairman Allergy Testing Services (Owned currently by Hitachi Chemical Diagnostics, Inc. (1985-Present), Scientist/Clinical Associate Professor Stanford Medical School (1985-Present); 801 Brewster Avenue, Suite 220 Redwood City, CA 94063; Office: (650) 482-2800 or Fax: (650) 482-2802
•IgG and IgE antibodies against mold »Serum IgG and IgE antibodies against mold-derived antigens in patients with symptoms of hypersensitivity.
Makkonen K, Viitala KI, Parkkila S, Niemela O.
Laboratory of the Central Hospital of Southern Ostrobothnia, FIN-60220, Seinajoki, Finland.
•Low lymphocytes
•Suppressed bone marrow function
•Mycoplasma incognitus tested in my DNA
•Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome neorological/immune/endocrine disorder
•SPECT brain scan indicating a toxic solvent
exposure
•Pulminary Function TestShowing severely reduced capacity and diffusion
rates
•Cleansing and Detoxification »Use isagenix cleansing system to lessen the impacts of MCS. We suggest the 30 day cleansing program, and the supplements including multi-vitamis, digestive enzymes, and minerals supplement. We tried the system and it worked managing symptoms of MCS for about 3 months.
•Mycotixins in Feed and Food-Producing Crops »If you scroll down to they very bottom of this article it lists known diseases found in animals fed mycotoxins. Animals have always been our primary testing subjects for disease. This should give us an indication of the dangers to humans.
6Notable mold experts(45)Some people are very experienced with mold problems. Here are the names of doctors, toxicologists, testers, and attorneys who've helped those affected by mold.
•Online interview with Jeff May from WHDH in Boston.Jeff May: Good evening, everyone. I look forward to receiving your questions. Jeff May
carin: During the winter months, I tend to wake up with headaches rather frequently...I'm thinking it's because my apartment is incredibly dry...I have a humidifier, but are there other things I should be thinking about?
Jeff May: Make sure that your humidifier is not an evaporative pad humidifier. Use only a warm mist humidifier, and keep the relative humidity under 35% in the winter. One very common cause of headaches is carbon monoxide poisoning. You should have your heating equipment - hot water heater and furnace - checked. Sometimes ovens can also be a source of carbon monoxide. The gas company can check all of these for you.
Moldy: Jeff, I've been experiencing several inexplicable respiratory and nerological problems since moving into a new home. Upon examination, I found black & brown mold on the foundation wall in my basement.
Jeff May: Some molds can cause neurological problems, but often off-gassing from new carpets can do this. If your heating system is a hot air furnace that has a leaky return, you may be drawing in moldy basement air. I would first determine if in fact the foundation wall discoloration is mold. You probably shouldn't clean this yourself, because if it is making you ill, you could be affected by it. Hire a professional to clean it if necessary.
cynthia: We have children with symptoms, earwigs, evidence of water damage and mold spots on the walls in our rental home, what is the best bet for healthy air a dehumidifier a electronic precipitator, a HEPA or ULPA air filtering portable unit?
Jeff May: Make sure that you do not have any down quilts or pillows on your bed. You should contact DACI Lab at Johns Hopkins University and get a dust-mite test kit.
cmac: jeff, we are very interested in finishing our basement. we hear you don't advise this. our basement is dry. why shouldn't we go ahead??
Jeff May: Cynthia, if you have contaminated carpeting, you should be very careful about operating any air purifiers that disturb the dusts. You should determine what is in the dust first and if there are problems, eliminate the sources.
Moldy: After a battery of negative medical tests, I'm wondering if there's a connection here? If so, how do I clean the black & brown mold from the painted walls of the foundation?
Jeff May: cmac: Finished basements are very often the source of mold and odor problems. They MUST be kept dehumidified during the summer (relative humidity below 50%) and kept warm in the winter, never below 65%. Most of the finished basements that I inspect end up in the dumpster! Read the chapter in my book on finished basements if you insist on proceeding.
Jeff May: Moldy: There are thousands of possible mold allergens and hundreds of possible insect allergens, few of which can ever be tested for; therefore, a negative allergy test doesn't necessarily mean that you don't have a problem in a house.
Rotxa: Hello Mr. May. Thanks for making yourself available for this chat. I'd like to start by asking you if you know of a specific test that a doctor can use to determine if somebody has mold "inside" his or her body. I heard a horrific tale of somebody with a "colony" in his esophagus and general throat area.
laura: I suffer from chronic sinus headaches and I am always tired. I have noticed mold growing in my shower walls. Could this be making me sick?
Jeff May: Rotxa: Actually having mold growing inside your body is quite unusual, although there are two places that I am familiar with where this occurs: in the sinus cavities and in the lungs (aspergillosis). I recently heard a lecture by a Dr. Rimaldi, who actually described finding a mushroom growing within a sinus cavity. I'm not aware of any tests for determining if there is mold growing elsewhere.
MikeW: Jeff, I was exposed to mold in a previous job (they "tested" and found nothing even though I could smell it). I'm still sick and it's been two months. Do you know of any specific tests a doctor could perform to prove that it is mold-related?
Jeff May: Laura: It's very unlikely that mold from the shower walls are the problem. Obviously, this should be cleaned, but the exposures from carpeting or bedding tend to be more significant. You should improve the ventilation in your bathroom to minimize the excess moisture. You can also increase the insulation in the ceiling and the outside walls to minimize moisture and mildew problems.
cynthia: We have spoken before regarding our toxic moldy home in Millis. Now we are being told we are not allowed to have an experienced mold remediation company, that should carry mold pollution liability insurance. The company being offered to us has 20 citations against them, from the lead and asbestos MA Occupational Safety Division, do you think this is resonable when the insurance companies denial of services resulted in our house getting so sick in the first place?
Jeff May: MikeW: It is almost impossible to prove "in the legal sense" mold exposures. If you smell mold, there is a mold problem! Very often, inadequate testing is done and most often, this is why mold problems go undetected. If you feel better on the weekends, when you are not at work, then that is telling you that the workspace is a problem for you. But very often, people have problems at work also have exposures at home. Make sure you have minimized your exposures to allergens at home.
Jeff May: Cynthia: We should talk about this privately.
AmeeD: Hi Jeff, the story on 7news tonight seemed exactly like what could be going on in my home...i have terribly and my basement reallergies, watery eyes and sneezing especially, as well as itchy throat eks of must. could that be a sign of mold? how do i go about having the house checked without tearing up the walls?
robyn: Jeff, I just recovered from an asthma problem because of our woodstove. The former owner of our house also had a cat and had a woodshop where he made furniture in our basement. We have wood floors but I'm wondering if sawdust could be in the air and if it could be a problem.
Jeff May: AmeeD: There are many possible sources of mold in the basement, particularly if it's finished spaces. If you are reacting so quickly, most likely, the source of the allergen is not a wall cavity. You should probably do some air testing, and surface dust testing. And don't tear up walls until you have this done, for fear of releasing more allergens into the air. Remember, about a third of the "fresh" air in a house in the winter comes from a basement!
janet: I have only been home for 24 hours and I am again experiencing the systems described on the 6:00 News tonight. We have a down pillow but that is all the down we own. When I am out of the house I am fine, otherwise I am so tired I spend most of my time in bed.
Jeff May: robyn: If you are allergic to cats, you must eliminate all the house dust. Be sure to check the refrigerator, radiators, etc. Use only a HEPA vacuum! It is unlikely that the sawdust could be a problem, but if there is exposed fiberglass insulation in the basement, it may be full of sawdust, which can be a nutrient for mold growth. In basements that do not have adequate dehumidification, fiberglass can become severely infested with mold and mites (30% of basement ceiling fiberglass that I have sampled was moldy).
Moldy: Jeff, Can I just spray paint over the mold or does it need to be proffesionally cleaned, then repainted? Thanks for your adept advice!
Jeff May: Janet: It sounds as though something in the house is definitely bothering you. You are not imagining it. If you react so quickly, it is probably something that is in the air in the house. It's important to find the source. It's probably not just the pillow, although if you feel much worse in the morning after sleeping in the pillow, this could be part of the problem.
bmctighe: Where can I get those bedding covers that you recommend?
Jeff May: Moldy: It depends where it is. Sometimes, spray painting is adequate, but you really have to protect yourself from the spores whenever mold is disturbed, and you must always eliminate the moisture source first; otherwise, the mold will reappear. Sometimes, surface mold is an indication of a hidden water problem inside a wall, and sometimes, the problem can be quite extensive. Spores may get into the house from the wall cavity.
cynthia: My youngest is 2 and tested positve for cat allergy only with skin tests, I wash down comforters in hot water bimonthly do you still think mites could be the cause?
Jeff May: bmctighe: There is this wonderful little store in Lexington called Home Environmental. They sell dust mite covers, HEPA vacuum cleaners, air filters, etc.
wssick: Thank you for your research into the aliments associated with mold. I am fearful of losing my job since the school I work in is making me very sick. They deny it but I've had a private lab analyze one site and located 42 different mold colonies. Help!
Jeff May: Cynthia: If you have an allergic child, you should not use down pillows or comforters anywhere in the house, nor furniture cushions that have down. If your child is allergic to cats at that age, she is probably exposed to a source of cat allergen. Cat allergen lasts forever, and just the dust from a refrigerator can cause problems. By a HEPA vacuum and clean, clean, clean, including the bottoms of baseboard convectors, if you have them. Think about places that you have never thought about, and then clean them. Actually, washing thick bedding too frequently can create a problem. I recommend placing bedding in the drier once a week. That should be plenty to kill lots of mites!
Jeff May: wssick: On the job problems, particularly in schools,are huge. There are many websites dealing with these, and the more teachers are aware, the more likely it will be that solutions will be found. I am planning to look at these issues for my next book.
rdcmcd: what type of smptoms could you experience if you were sensitive to dust
Jeff May: rdcmcd: Allergy symptoms. Look it up on the internet.
wssick: Are there any molds that cause permanent damage to your respiratory system?
moldboy: Mr. May, do the covers you can purchase for your bed and pillows work?
Jeff May: wssick: Long term exposure to mold spores can cause interstitial fibrosis, but typically, people get better after their exposures to mold are eliminated. Allergy symptoms may be away within hours to days, but more serious lung conditions may take months to decrease. Mycotoxins are chemicals in some mold spores that can cause acute symptoms, such as nose bleeds. Long term exposures to mycotoxins may even be the source of some cancers (Balkin endemic nephropathy BEN may be due to exposure to ochratoxin from Aspergillus).
Jeff May: moldboy: Pillow and mattress covers are the single most important strategy in controlling bedroom allergens. Make sure you purchase covers that do not have holes, and they must seal at the ends.
moldyattic: tonite you talked about a house in hudson, NH which had mold in the attic. Please indicate how this was determined. Thanks, Judy
cmac: jeff, thanks for the advice. we have a dehumidifer in the basement and central air(i don't use that often). we plan on installing heat in the finished basement. i plan on reading your book. any other advice you can give me now before i can get your book?
Jeff May: Judy - I didn't investigate that house, and I have no idea what the conditions were.
Jeff May: cmac: Read the book, but not in bed at night! You'll see why I say this.
rebelsun2000: We live in an old farm house in Cumberland, R.I. which is approxe . 150 years old. We rent the first floor of the house, and have noticed what appears to be black mold under the baseboard radiators in the dining room. The people renting the 2nd floor have experienced resporatory problems, as have we. Our landlord has had the carpets cleaned, but refuses to do any more with regards to water leaking in from the outside, or to investigate or repair the mold problem. Are there laws to protect us, and is there any way we can either have the mold problem checked, or to compel her to correct the problem. Last year at this time, pipes broke in the house, the landlord received the insurance settlement, and would only have a restoration company come in to dry out the water in the house, but has yet to repair the subfloor, carpets, ceiling, etc. damaged in the flood. How serious can this mold problem be? Our landlord does not believe the mold can be a health issue, and as an atty. she does not believe she is responsible for our illnesses or to repair the house. Any information you can provide us will be very helpful and appreciated.
PhyllisF: Jeff, I just put new carpeting in my home and I've had chronic dizziness, headaches and sinus problems. If the "off-gassing" is a problem, will steam cleaning it solve the problem?
Jeff May: rebelsun2000: The most likely source of your problem is the carpeting. Even though it has been washed, it is probable that there are still allergens and irritants present. You should try covering it all up with some impermeable material. If this is not feasible, get some plastic runner and only walk on that. If the black under the radiator is in carpeting, it could be mold; but if it is in wood floor, it probably is not an exposure issue. Be sure that all the dusts are cleaned (with HEPA vacuum) from all the radiators.
bagualzinha: The pilot light on my gas stove goes out all the time. When I come home from work, the kitchen will have a very strong gas odor. I normally just relight the pilot light and forget about it. Should I be concerned about what is leaking out?
Jeff May: Phyllis: Cleaning a carpet will not resolve the off-gassing issue. Some carpets off-gas strongly for a few days, and others for years. If you notice the characteristic chemical carpet smell (most often due to 4-phenylcyclohexene - a byproduct of the backing manufacturing), this may be causing your difficulties. Another possibility is that the carpet contains biological contaminants from the water used during manufacture. Treatment with steam vapor machine, such as a DeLongi (available from the Home Environmental Store) might help destroy the biological allergens, but the only way you eliminate the off-gassing is to eliminate the carpeting. Anderson Labs in Vermont can test carpet pieces for off-gassing.
Jeff May: bagualzinha: If I were you, I'd get the gas company to adjust the gas flow to the pilot so that it doesn't go out.
cynthia: After an unsuccessful attempt to save our home, (a contractor flooded the walls) we learned that only 15% of all molds are visable. Could you let viewers know that "hidden mold" exist?
Jeff May: Cynthia: Most wall cavities in older buildings contain some mold growth, particularly if there has been leakage. Often, the presence of this mold can neither be seen nor experienced, because there are no air flows out of the wall. Sometimes, there can be strong odors and if there are air flows out of the wall, through an electric outlet for example, spores may actually enter the room air.
x4635: Jeff, How would I go about having my home inspected by you?
Jeff May: Jx4635 -Just call my office at 617-354-0152 and ask for Connie. She schedules our appointments.
Phillip: Lets talk about these expensive dust-covers? I sneeze and wheeze year round and the Allegra & Nasonex aren't doing the trick. This could be a big investment to cover all the mattresses, box springs and pillows in my home Are they worth the money?
Jeff May: Phillip - What's more expensive? Years of medication? Or the covers? You needn't cover box springs right away, because dust mites really only thrive in the pillows and mattress. If you want to solve the problem, you MUST cover.
ColleenMc: Recently my husband tore out the ceiling in the basement and found many mouse nests and feces from mice. Then he started smelling a strong smell in the attic and basement which makes his throat sore and makes him feel naseous. I cannot smell it. He is more sensitive to dust, etc. than I am. He would like to know what you would liken a mold smell to. About a year and a half ago we had bedbugs three different times. It was soon after we moved into this house and it happened in our boys room which is the room the attic opens into. What should we do about the recent smell or what do you think it is? I just gave you some background on us. That's why the information about the bedbugs, etc. Thank you. ColleenMc
JohnB: Hi Jeff. My wife and I recently moved into an old house. How can I safely remove wallpaper that has black stains (mold or mildew) on it without causing the toxins to be air-borne?
Jeff May: Colleenmc: Actually, this problem is extremely common, and the odor in many older homes (and even some newer ones!) is due to rodent infestations in walls and fiberglass insulation. To get rid of all the odor problems, you have to get rid of all the fiberglass to which the rodents had access. Use great caution during removal, because you can spread a variety of biological agents. For any type of insect problem, the safest treatment is using steam vapor from a DeLongi. Never use pesticides in the bedroom.
Jeff May: JohnB: Mold spores only become airborne during disturbances if they are dry. As long as the problem is not too extensive, you can spray all the wallpaper with water containing a small amount of bleach. Make sure that the wallpaper is fully soaked before you attempt to remove it. To be safe, wear a mask and isolate the area from the rest of the house. If there is an extensive mold problem, it should be dealt with professionally.
Marisa: My home is approximately 8 years old. Over the past 5 years I have been experiencing a black soot like substance covering my walls and even in the cabinets. I went up into the attic and found that the wall was also covered with this black substance. Any recommendations you have will be appreciated.
Jeff May: Colleenmc: There was a typo in my message to you. The sentence in the middle should have read "fiberglass to which the rodents had access" instead of "mites had access." Sorry.
Jeff May: Marisa - Most likely, you have been burning jar candles. It only takes one jar candle to blacken a house.
Shelby: We recently determined that we had a ventilation problem in our attic. We have had moisture for two winters and now there is quite a bit of mold, some of which is black. Can we kill this with a bleach solution? If not what should we be doing to protect our family?
stacey: We noticed that in our attic, on one side there is black mold (sometimes with ice crystals) growing on the underside of the roof, between the 2x8s. i have been told its probably due to lack of circulation. what do you think and how would you recommend fixing the problem and getting rid of the black mold
Jeff May: Shelby: It is very unusual for the black mold in attics to be the toxic kind (Stachybotrys), because Stachybotrys only grows on constantly wet cellulose (such as the paper in drywall). You should certainly improve the ventilation to minimize future problems. Also check to be sure that there are not large sources of house air flowing into the attic. Look around the plumbing stacks, chimneys. Sometimes, if the mold problem isn't too extensive, sealing with paint (after eliminating moisture sources) is all that is necessary.
Jeff May: Stacey: The North-facing gable is colder because it doesn't get sun in the winter. Warm air leaks up from the house into the attic and carries moisture with it. Stop the leakage and increase the ventilation.
JackLydon: Jeff, I'm trying to do my best to eliminate the problems. I have an electrostatic air cleaner as part of my 2 HVAC systems in the house. We have Carbon monoxide detectors in the house and and they haven't gone off. As a preventative measure, should I run my basement dehumidifier in the Winter, even thought it's so cold down there?
cynthia: The mold remediation industry is young and dangerous. Do you have any suggestions for new statutory provisions or a licensing system that would improve the standards in MA? TX and CA have proposals already.
Jeff May: Jack: Do not run the dehumidifier in the winter: a waste of energy. Electrostatic air cleaners do not really solve any problems; if there is mold growth or allergens inside the furnace or air conditioning coil, the system has to be cleaned before any filter can do any good. I never recommend electrostatic, electronic or any type of washable filter. Use only media filters. Have your system professionally cleaned by a company such as Envirotech in Stoneham, MA.
janet: Thanks Jeff. It's Janet again. Where do I go to test the air? Should I contact DAC Labs at John Hopkins?
JeannieC: I've lived in several different houses but have suffered from generalized fatigue for years. If it's something in the house, what's the most likely culprit?
Jeff May: Cynthia: I don't know that any type of legislation will really help the situation. The most important thing now is for everyone to understand what the problems are and how they can be solved. Part of the California legislation involves trying to establish a scientific basis for the problems as well as the remediation efforts. I guess, unfortunately, there has been a lot of attention focused on the really obvious mold problems and in some cases, the attention has not led to productive results. In reality, most of the worst mold problems that I see are invisible in people's carpets and furniture.
Jeff May: Janet - E-mail me at jmhi@mediaone.net
cynthia: Does MA sanitary code provide standards for acceptable indoor air mold limits in rental housing?
Jeff May: Jeannie - This is an enormous question. Read the book and try to unravel the mystery.
Jeff May: Cynthia - No. Legislation has been proposed, but determining actual permissible limits for exposures to mold is going to be an extremely difficult, if not impossible, task.
robyn: Thanks for your response! One other question: how do you test the air in your house?
TerryD: Jeff, If the previous owner of my home knew of the mold and water leak problems I'm having, do I have any recourse?
Jeff May: robyn - Go to my website at www.jmhi.com - and read my book.
Dawn: My home tested positive for high levels of mold contamination. My son who was born in the house, (and lived there for 3 years is autistic. The family we bought the house from also has a child with autism who was born there, and their other son that was born there is developmentally delayed? Could this be from the mold?
Jeff May: TerryD - I suggest that you talk to an attorney, but this is something that would be very difficult to prove.
ColleenMc: Can one spray for dust mites? If you cover the beds and pillows with allergy covers do the mites die or are they locked up inside the cover?
Jeff May: Dawn - I would be very careful about the company that did the testing. For example, settle plate testing, in which a Petri dish is left open for 15 minutes to an hour, is useless. I have no idea if mold could cause autism, but exposures to elevated levels of mold spores can be very unhealthy for sensitized individuals.
terry: My parents' home is so loaded with mothballs that I can't stand to be there even briefly. Everything sent to us from there must be thrown out. Now my mother has dizziness, nausea and generalized malaise. Can it be the moth balls?
Jeff May: Colleenmc: I don't recommend using any kind of sprays. For example, tannic acid can help reduce the level of allergens temporarily, but this is not a long-term solution. Mattress and pillow covers are long-term solutions, because they simultaneously prevent the entry of necessary moisture and the release of mite allergens. As soon as the moisture source stops (sweat from our bodies), mites die.
ALEXSIS: Jeff, can you recomend a Boston area allergist who specializes in detecting home based allergies/illnesses?
Jeff May: terry - Exposure to vapors from moth balls (it's either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene) can cause problems for those who are chemically sensitized. I believe that some people become sensitized from the exposure.
Jeff May: Alexsis - Dr. William Monafo in Townsend, MA specializes in dealing with mold problems.
x4635: I have a problem with the ceilings in my home. I get black lines across my ceilings in the same locations every time I paint or wash the ceilings the lines always come back. I have asked many people about the problem and I have tried all the suggestions they have given me, but to no avail. How can I tell if it is wihin the walls or in the fiberglass in the attic. It is definitely a huge problem. My older son has terrible allegies and I am wondering if it has any connection?
cynthia: Our home has forced hot water base board heat with rusty covers (because of a previous pipe burst) I have wiped them down but removing the covers is very difficult. How about a hair dryer to clean them out?
Jeff May: x4635: The problem is called "ghosting" or "thermal telegraphing." The black lines develop at colder wall and ceiling areas. The deposition is usually due to soot from jar candles or other soot sources, such as poorly vented gas fireplaces, underground parking garages, or kerosene lanterns.
Jeff May: Cynthia - You have to bite the bullet and take them apart. Don't use your hair dryer. You will be blowing dust around and there will be no point in cleaning them.
bmctighe: Is there a place locally where I can get your book?
Jeff May: bmctighe: You can buy the book through Amazon.com, and some Barnes and Nobles carry it. Home Environmental in Lexington also carries the book.
Maryann: If you put bedding in the dryer weekly, avoid down, and vacuum will you be doing just about all there is(in a mold-free home)?
Jeff May: MaryAnn - These are strategies for keeping dust mite levels down (and use a HEPA vacuum). Mold is an entirely different issue.
angel: Hi, I have been getting major dust all over my house I have to say I am a clean freak. and ready to have a break down. I've had everyone from the chimney man to the board of health here. The furnace and chimney were looked at and all repaired about three months ago when the fire department red tagged it. That was supposed to be the problem but I’m still getting it every place dishes, food wrappers tables rugs ect... My living room curtains and rug I replaced along with ALL my blinds when it was so called fixed if you move a piece of furniture it is 4 shades brighter under it evenly. my curtain and blinds look 20 years old or like they've been in a fire PLEASE HELP I don't know what to do. All our throats burn and we get migraines , My husband has gotten chest pains and my son and I are always short of breath.
JIMMY: I HAVE BLACK MOLD & MILDEW IN MY ATTIC ABOVE MY BATHROOM VENTS HOW CAN I CLEAR THIS UP
Jeff May: Angel - I am very sorry to hear about this problems; unfortunately, many "experts" try to solve problems before they know what they are. It is VERY simple to determine what the problem is by looking at the dust under a microscope. Probably 80 to 90% of the dust in a house is skin scales from our bodies. This dust is usually gray. Another big source of dust can be duct work contaminated with construction dust, such as sawdust or drywall.
Maryann: what is a HEPA vacuum?
Jeff May: Jimmy- The moisture from the attic exhaust fan should vent directly to the exterior, either through a soffit grille or roof vent, made for the purpose.
Jeff May: MaryAnn - A HEPA vacuum has a very efficient filter on it that prevents the release of allergens contained in the discharge air.
Jeff May: Good night everybody. Thank you for your participation and be well. We would also like to thank WHDH for giving us this opportunity to converse with you. Jeff
•AnnaHas personal mold exp.
•Hooman Sotoodeh at EnviroScience Phone: 408.371.4181, Fax: 408.371.4186, Cell: 408.829.8664. Hooman is the best! If there is mold in your house he'll find it.
Hooman Sotoodeh at EnviroScience
Phone: 408.371.4181Fax: 408.371.4186
Cell: 408.829.8664.
•Doug Haney »Author of "Toxic Mold! Toxic Enemy!".
•Holland of Restoration Consultantsremediation company in sacramento (representatives on the IER board)
•Licensed real estate appraiser and certified building inspector with mold experienceBldgInspector@Aol.Com
•Neil Carlson, an industrial hygienist at the University of Minnesota
•Chemical Laboratory Services Offered by AQS »This company can test for the chemicals that produce the odors. They are the only one in the USA that can do this. Other remediation companies are sending samples to them.
6Medical(10)Be careful of which doctors you see. Toxic mold sickness is not part of standard medical training. Mold symptoms may make you seem crazy to a general practitioner. It hurts to walk away with hundreds of dollars in doctor bils, and no answers to your health problems.
•Dr. Johanning »Albany, NY. Bioaerosols, Fungi, and Mycotoxins: Health effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control edited by Dr. Johanning
•Dr. Frederick HermanRoseville, CA, a suburb of Sacramento; lab results testing: IBT Laboratories in Lawrence, KS
•Dr. Ordog23206 West Lyons Ave., Suite 104
Santa Clarita, CA 91321
Phone: 661-799-1689
Fax: 661-799-3453
6Clinics(3)San Francisco General Hospital, Occupational and Environmental Medicine (SFGM OEM)
•UCSF Occupational Health Services2380 Sutter, 3rd floor, 885-7580
•Biotherapy clinic in San Francisco »They are great for suggesting diet changes, supplements, allergy and immune test, colon hydrotherapy, detoxification, and acupuncture.
•Dr. Michael Gray M.D. M.P.H. C.I.M. E.Internal/ Occupational Medicine
Certified Independent Medical Examiner
300 S. Ocotillo
Benson, Arizona 85602
Telephone: 1-520-586-9111
Toll free : 1-877-586-9111
•Dr. Jordan Fink VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. (414)384-2000.Referral from Jefferey C. May
•Dr. Bill Rae in Dallas at the Envir. Health CenterOne of the Founders of American Academy of Environmental Medicine
•U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Air Quality Clearinghouse Hotline: 800/438-4318
•Indoor Environment Remediation Board »Launched a year ago with a $50,000 grant from the University City Science Center in Philadelphia. The board is led by six scientists and representatives of a few remediation firms. Its goals are to provide training for people who must work with mold and to develop certification standards for remediation firms. There are no standards now, to help newcomers to the problem sort through the exploding industry of abatement and remediation. The Remediation Board also hopes to establish standards for mold safety and remediation.
•Minnesota Dept. of Health, Indoor Air Unit 651/215-0909
6Attorneys (11)Mold cases are specialized. Find someone experienced in mold cases. Unfortunately, the best attorneys are not willing to take on small cases.
•Referrals from Dr. Lipseymike@attorneyliability.com
arobertson@kandrlaw.com
saintrozier@earthlink.net
ALM@halkides-morgan.com
Meleyco@enreach.com
ewpoole@swbell.net
New batch
Brockovich@masryvititoe.com
mauswim@gte.net
mduffy@clausen.com
Stevekuehl
Stevekuehl@aol.com
patricia@geklaw.com
1-707-224 5447 Larry Klein in napa
rmetzger@toxictorts.com
mduffy@clausen.com
patricia@geklaw.com
•Holland & Knight LLP. »1250 lawyers who practice in over 100 areas of law. In addition to the regular services they offer pro-bono services for the needy in throughout Florida, Atlanta, Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., (led by Chesterfield Smith, the firm's Chairman)
•Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and ControlEdited by Dr. Johanning. Currently not available on Amazon or B&N. Call Boyd Printing at 800-877-BOYD. Pages 569/570 reference porous materials, carpet, upholstered furniture cannot be effectively cleaned.
•Columns MoldThis really outstanding magazine is an absolute must
for every professional on every level of mold exposure and it is readable for homeowners and building managers as well. Harris Martin Publishing (800) 496-4319.