As if the storm wasn’t enough, now there is the problem of mold that follows when things get wet. Even if the weather is cold, there still may be enough mold growth to be a problem. With all that flooding from Sandy, there is bound to be a mold problem. I hope this information can help.
After the Samdu flood the name of the game is to dry things out ASAP. I realize that this is difficult, but I think it helps to know some of the facts, rather than be misinformed.
One big Sandy Mold problem is that moisture that gets behind the base molding can settle in the empty spaces behind and get into the areas behind the walls. There is recommendation to remove the floor molding to let that dry out. Fans, heaters and driers help, so do dehumidifiers. It is always best to get professionals to get rid of the moisture, if possible. Note: reducing the moisture reduces the mold population.
I know you prefer coffee or coca cola; but if mold growth in your Sandy effected home is present, drinking hot tea gets your good nasal and chest cilia moving and this moves the mold out of your system. It has to be green or black tea, with our without caffeine. If the mold odor bothers you, you can use a nasal filter, such as Breathe Pure http://www.breathepurenap.com/ that helps to filter out these products.
Why does Mold attack your house? Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.
Can mold cause health problems? Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. For many people, mold is an allergy trigger that brings on sneezing and other irritating symptoms. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is ongoing.
“There is good evidence that people who live in moldy environments have increased health problems including asthma, nasal congestion, and possible fatigue, headaches and other problems that are not well understood,” said Jay Portnoy, MD, FAAAAI. “Mold avoidance may improve these symptoms.”
How do I get rid of mold? It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the mold, but don’t fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. Therefore, first get the area dry before attacking any obvious mold.
The best way to find mold is to look in dark, damp, warm environments. It can grow almost anywhere: on sheet—rock, carpet, wood panels, garbage cans, and basement walls. Mold can even grow in areas that are not easily visible, such as inside walls and furniture, Excessive indoor humidity, resulting in water vapor condensation on walls, plumbing leaks, spills from showering or bathing, water leaking through foundations or roofs, may lead to growth of many types of mold. A common cause is the sprinklers that wet areas at the house, allowing moist areas to develop beneath the house or in the walls Before you call in an expensive mold expert, first have a repair person check your house for leaks. (See Appendix, Controlling Indoor Mold)
In certain allergic persons, wheezing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, nasal and sinus congestion, irritated eyes, a dry, hacking cough, irritated nose or throat and skin rashes or irritation may be a sign of mold sensitivity.
Toxic mold. Although there are 100,000 types of mold, only a few are toxic. These molds produce chemicals called mycotoxins that can cause rashes, seizures, respiratory problems, unusual bleeding and severe fatigue in people. These are not allergic reactions, but rather due to the toxins. One form of toxic mold is stachybotrys chartarum (stack-ee-BOT-ris), a greenish-black mold that occurs where there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding. This mold requires very wet or high humid conditions for days or weeks in order to grow. Stachybotrys grows only on wood, paper, and cotton products and can be found in 2%-5% of American homes.
“Since most molds are not toxic, you should not panic if you see it in your house,” Portnoy said. “If you think you have symptoms that are related to mold, you should contact your local allergist for advice. Your allergist also should be able to tell whether your home needs to be inspected and how to get that done.”
Best information on Mold can be found at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources.html

Fungal Sinusitis.
First of all, you need to understand that doctors and medical writers are using the same words for three entirely different conditions and it is very easy to get confused, especially by the news writers. Fungal sinusitis can refer to a sinus filled with a fungus; the fungus is packed into every sinus and can be clearly seen by shining a light in the nose, and by MRI. This type is RARE and is primarily seen in immune—compromised persons.
Another type, also called Fungal Sinusitis, is one described by the Mayo Clinic. Here the fungus is in the nose and sinus, can be cultured out, but the same fungus is seen in otherwise healthy persons. The theory is that a fungus is in the nose/sinus and the body’s natural defense—the eosinophile—produces too much toxin trying to kill the fungus and that this toxin is what is making the patient sick. Their therapy is to try to eliminate the fungus and thus stop the eosinophile reaction. Others, such as Wellington Tichenor of New York may desensitize the individual to that particular fungus. For up to date information on this see Dr Tichenor’s web site www.sinuses.com. A serious difficulty with this theory is that “sick” patients and healthy patients may both show the same fungus on culture plates. Doctors are still investigating this and the answer is not yet in.
The Mayo concept helps explain why persons using pulsatile irrigation for chronic sinusitis improve, as pulsatile irrigation is best for removing mucus and the eosinophile products from the nose.
A third type of fungal sinusitis is one where polyps or other conditions block an area of he nose and a fungus grows here for lack of drainage. Usually the patient recovers when the blockage is removed.
At this time, few allergists or ENTdoctors find “Mayo Type” fungal sinusitis among their patients.

How to Control Indoor Mold

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), taking the following steps to rid your home or business of molds can lead to a decrease in allergy symptoms and lessen the potential burden on your pocketbook:

> Clean the area. Use a solution of water and dish detergent to clean the moldy area. Then wipe off the mold. Remember to wear rubber gloves and use a protective mask if your symptoms are severe.

> Remove the source. If mold or mildew is visible in carpeting or on wallpaper, remove them from your home. Also, if you have a leaky pipe or roof, quickly repair and seal these moisture sources.

> Dry it out. Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and wipe down the shower after use. Periodically clean the bathroom and other mold-promoting places with a product that kills mold and mildew, and throw away shower curtains at the first sight of mold.

> Lower humidity. Try to maintain a humidity level of 30 to 40 percent in your house.

> Stay above ground. In general, it’s not a good idea for people with mold allergies to have a bedroom or a family/work room in the basement.

> Air it out. Ventilate damp rooms, attics and even crawl spaces under the house to try to keep them dry. If you use a dehumidifier, empty and clean it regularly to prevent mildew from forming. Also, air filters may help control airborne mold spores throughout your house.

> All rooms, especially basements, bathrooms and kitchens, require ventilation and consistent cleaning to control mold growth.

➢ A light bulb in the closet or basement or under the house can be quite beneficial. Mold doesn’t do well in light.
Please pass this information to your friends and readers.