It’s happening; the holiday you booked months ago – comprising of both travel and accommodation – has finally arrived. You’ve spent countless hours researching, booking, packing and envisaging a relaxing time-out from life itself. It stands to reason, therefore, that the last thing you’d like to find on entering your home-away-from-home is mold.
Read More
“Black mold,” or stachbotrys as his mycologist friends like to call him, is actually a dark green mold, but not only did “Dark Green Mold” fail miserably at striking fear in the hearts of the public, Penicillium mold pretty much held the copyright to all-things-green. “Killer Mold,” too, fell short of fear-mongering. And “The Notorious B.M.” didn’t quite have the effect mycologists were going for, which could be why a dark green mold was given the nickname “black mold.” Or, more specifically, “toxic black mold.” But, what causes black mold? And why is it considered so toxic?
Read More
I know why you’re here. There can only be one reason why you now find yourself reading an incredibly informative and superbly written article on moldy cheese.
You’ve bought into the American Dream, haven’t you? What was it? Student loans? A new car? Don’t tell me–the new iPhone? Look, it’s none of my business. We’ll just say you “fell on hard times.”
Some mistakenly believe that any and all green molds are penicillin. Penicillin, however, is not a mold. Penicillin is an antibiotic derived from the mold known as penicillium chrysogenum. Many times over, a common statement is made in regards to foods that have mold growth: “Ah, it’s just penicillin. It won’t hurt you.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, contact with penicillium chryosogenum–like any mold–can cause serious health issues. For instance, penicillium molds often cause chronic sinus infections and inflammation within the lungs.
The truth is, there are several types of green mold–thousands, actually–and none of them are friendly. So, what exactly makes green mold, green?
If you’ve discovered or suspect you have mold in your home or workplace, the next most common question is “is it dangerous?” Not all molds are created equal. Some are considered toxic mold while others are less of a hindrance. While no mold is good in the home or workplace, there are some types of mold that fall into the “most dangerous molds” category. That is what today’s blog post will cover. These are the molds that will cause the most harm to your home and/or your body, especially with long term exposure.
Read More
Mold related illnesses may be one of the most prominent health issues that doctors are missing today. They can be a true hidden illness that goes undiagnosed for years. What a scary thought!
There are potentially millions of people who are currently suffering from a mystery illness, and their doctors don’t have a clue what is causing their ailments. They are often referred to doctor after doctor, repeatedly being turned away.
Mold toxins are so unique, and their effects are wide and far-reaching. Symptoms of mold related illnesses are complex and they can be mistaken for many other illnesses. All of this makes it difficult for doctors to find the correct diagnosis.
Read More
This time of year brings lots of sneezes and wheezes to young babies as the warm weather is replaced with colder temperatures. Going outside may seem like a bad idea to those parents whose children suffer with seasonal allergies or are susceptible to colds and flus. You may be tempted to stay indoors. But what if staying inside is actually worse? If mold is present in your home, your baby could be at a higher risk indoors.
Read More
The earliest known use for activated charcoal was recorded in 3750 B.C. It was during this period of earth’s history that Egyptian and Sumerian metallurgy was revolutionizing the metal works industry with the introduction of bronze—an alloy of tin, zinc, and copper dependent upon carbon, or activated charcoal, for the purpose of atomic oxygen-reduction and elemental extraction.
Read More
Mold is a great concern today. People talk about it, and also the national media discusses it with recklessness. The word mold can create fear. Buyers often fear that a home may have mold or, even worse, that it might have toxic mold.
Read More
In an earlier article, an interview between Infowars reporter Millie Weaver and Dr. Edward Group covered the hidden health dangers of mold and yeast. Briefly mentioned was Dr. Group’s supplement Myco-ZX, which is reported by the Infowars store to be “an all-natural blend of potent herbs and enzymes that support the body’s healthy detoxification of yeast and undesirable fungal organisms.” While we’re always a bit skeptical here at MoldBlogger and are not—in any way—affiliated with Infowars or Dr. Group’s Global Healing Center, we’re willing to investigate such claims, based on long-established facts surrounding the potential efficacy of each ingredient.
Read More
In a video published on YouTube on March 11 of 2007, Infowars reporter Millie Weaver interviewed Dr. Edward F. Group III. The topic was the hidden health dangers of mold and yeast. Here at MoldBlogger, we may not agree with every perspective presented on Infowars, but when it comes to fungi—specifically, a publicized discussion on it—we’re more than willing to lend an ear.
Read More
If you have found mold in your home, you are most likely wondering how much you can expect to pay to get rid of it. Of course, mold is a serious condition and must be remedied right away. You’ll want to take immediate steps to identify and remove the mold while also fixing the source of moisture that led to the environment which allowed mold growth.
When you are deciding whether to take care of the mold yourself or call in a professional, consider these questions.
How deep has the mold gone? It can be difficult to assess how much the mold has grown beyond what you can see without a proper mold inspection, especially if it is hidden deep into walls or cracks and crevices. Surface mold is much easier to deal with and contain. There are many sprays and soaps that are made to kill and remove mold. Many homeowners may even be proficient enough to replace drywall and insulation on their own. The real problem arises when the mold has gone airborne or has gotten into several structural elements of the home. And sometimes it can be difficult to know how far the mold has traveled.
It is greatly beneficial to determine the source of the moisture that caused the mold when determining whether or not you should perform your own mold remediation. Obviously, the source of moisture must be remedied as well as the mold. Knowing the source of moisture may also help you determine how much mold is present, especially if you know how long the moisture has been an issue. For example, you may know that your roof started leaking from a small hole a month ago which may help you determine how much mold is present and how deep it has grown. Perhaps you had a flood or other known source of water into your home.
Again, the problem arises when there are unknowns. Even if you find the source of the moisture, can you be certain on the length of time exposed and how deep the moisture has traveled? If you are uncertain, it is best to call in the pros.
If the area is a small one, you can remove the mold yourself with just a few dollars worth of cleaning supplies. If you’re concerned about breathing the spores, you can get a respirator, which will cost from around $25 for a simple over the mouth and nose version, to around $150 for a full face professional level unit. If you’re unsure if you need a respirator there are 7 ways to know if a mold is dangerous. For large infestations, it’s time to call in the pros.
If you have suffered from toxic mold exposure, you probably understand how important it is to support your body in order to aid in recovering from a injurious overload of mold. Many molds can be harmful, and if you have daily encountered mold over a period of time, it is very important to first remove yourself from the contamination, and second, give your body the assistance it needs to repair. Often natural remedies are expensive and hard to find, but some, such as dandelion root, can be found free in your yard (make sure it hasn’t been exposed to chemicals or weed-killers), or easily ordered from your home!
Read More
There are a lot of things that make us sick. From the common cold to more serious viruses, every year brings new germs. But what if it isn’t a germ that is making us sick? What if it is something else? What if it is something growing in our homes? When a person feels ill they may not immediately consider the cause to be mold. Mold can and does cause serious health problems in many people. It helps to understand the symptoms of household mold exposure so that you can recognize them should they emerge in you or a member of your family.
Exposure to mold has several symptoms including:
The answer is probably. Should you worry about it? It depends. There are several thousand strains of mold in existence, and each of us encounter many of them in our daily lives.
Most experts believe that except for those with asthma or other respiratory problems, these daily mold encounters are harmless. The problem arises with a particular mold called Stachybotrys.
Mold thrives in damp environments and does not take long to root itself. Molds can be a beneficial part of nature, although when it begins growing indoors it can wreak havoc not only on the building itself, but also on the individuals who are exposed to the airborne spores. The health effects can last a long time, depending on the extent of the exposure as well as the health and sensitivity of the individual. Some symptoms include respiratory issues, headache, eye irritation, cough, bleeding in the lungs, dizziness, and the list could continue on…
Read More
Mold is a fungus that is mostly present in areas with damp and it lives in the air or on the surfaces of it. It can be found almost everywhere and it tends to be harmless when outside in the fresh air. Still, if it grows inside a building it can be a cause of many problems. In case you are thinking of buying a new house or apartment, have it checked for mold to avoid any later surprises.
Read More
Mold (sometimes referred to as mildew) is a microorganism that has been classified as a fungus. All fungi – whether mold, mushrooms, or yeast – share these three biological attributes:
Read More
When it comes to mold growing in the house, you would do very well indeed to get rid of it, or even better, to avoid it in it’s entirety! You will find that there is a huge amount to be said for ensuring that you are following the simple steps towards mold free living, because it can be more than just unsightly, though it certainly is that! Whilst mold growing in the corners on on your clothes will look disgusting and show that the place is not very well cared of, you may also have heard that it is very bad for the health. The spores get in to the air, and can be bad for those breathing it all in, especially the young, or those with respiratory diseases or difficulty. Have a look over these easy step to ensure that you are not encouraging mold in your home.
Ventilate the house. As a general rule, you should ventilate your house well if the place is prone to damp and mold. A decent cycle of air will ensure that your whole house is drying out nicely, rather than sitting in stagnant air that does not encourage anything other than festering damp. You may find that opening the windows is not an option when the weather is bad, so try getting ventilation window fittings installed. You will be surprised at how effective fresh air can be in giving the place a really fresh feel, and a much more revitalized scent overall!
After baths and showers, open the windows. If your house is prone to mold, then it is even more important that you open the windows after having had a hot bath. The steam form the hot water will settle in all sorts of places, seeping in to the paint work and various areas of the fittings, leaving you in a situation where you will have mold showing in a matter of days. Even if the weather is bad, it is pretty essential that you open the windows at least a little. Try just opening them a crack if it is raining hard outside, it will be worth it. You should notice that the glass in the room loses it’s mist pretty quickly.
Do not leave wet clothes lying in heaps! Clothing is a perfect place for mold to grow, as it’s fibers give it a great amount of coverage and an easy place to grow. The damp that clothes will retain is they are left crumpled up will also encourage this, as warm and damp conditions are exactly what mold will require. Sweaty clothes from exercise or wet clothes form the rain should be washed immediately, or else left hanging in a ventilated place to dry properly. Do not leave them in the washing basket with everything else, as they will cause havoc!
Avoid getting your upholstered furniture wet. The padding in upholstery will take on a lot of moisture, but because of how tightly it is packed, it will not dry out that easily. You will find that when cleaning a sofa, you need to use as little water as possible to avoid the chance of it getting saturated. Ventilate the room properly when you are cleaning, so that it can dry as it needs to. This problem can also be caused by leaving wet coats or just washed clothing on the sofa, and the upholstery taking on the moisture in to it’s padding. You will find that simply taking water out of the equation will help this problem massively.
http://www.handymanserviceshandymen.co.uk/balham-handyman/SW17-handymen-balham.html
The thought of mold, wherever you might find it, is icky – it’s slimy, fuzzy and smelly. Yes, it might be a necessary organism, given how it helps to decompose organic waste in our eco-system. Mold is a great friend of nature, but it isn’t that great of a thing to have growing at home. When left undetected, it can cause serious allergic reactions and infections in your family. The effects are far worse if you have infants, young children, elderly family members and individuals with compromised immune systems in your family. Here’s a simple guide that allows you to assess your home and look out for specific kinds of molds in specific areas:
Read More