You’ve Found Mold – Now What? Six Steps to Return to Normal
December 30, 2014You may think that household mold is simply an allergen that causes respiratory problems.
Unfortunately, it’s not just about sneezing.
In addition to sinus problems and wheezing, household mold exposure can lead to a variety of other health issues. According to Dr. Mark Hyman in the Ultra Mind Solution, mold exposure can also cause immune system abnormalities, autonomic nervous system abnormalities and brain damage including short-term memory loss, impairment of executive function/judgment, concentration and hand-eye coordination.1
Symptoms of mold exposure vary but can include2:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Light Sensitivity
- Red Eyes and/or Blurred Vision
- Sinus Problems
- Focus/Concentration Issues
- Recollection Issues
- Decreased Learning of New Knowledge
- Confusion
- Abdominal Pain
- Aches, Pains
- Vertigo
- Tremors
- Cough
- Shortness of Breath
Six Steps for Dealing with Household Mold Exposure
1. Test your space
You could find an ISO certified lab to do testing, but they are typically expensive. And, the good news is that now there’s a quick and inexpensive solution that you can do yourself called My Mold Detective
Here’s how My Mold Detective
- Buy collection devices based on the number of areas to be tested
- Collect samples (indoor and outdoor samples and surface samples if desired)
- Submit samples to My Mold Detective for analysis
- Review the report and see if you need further assistance
Charges include the cost of the collection device plus the sample analysis ($35/sample).
Why is this important to test your home?
Based on this test, you can decide if you need to remediation to live in a healthy environment.
(Full disclosure: As affiliates of My Mold Detective, we receive a small portion of your purchase. Having said that, we would never recommend a product or service that we didn’t trust and respect.)
2. Check yourself for mold exposure
You can check to see if the mold exposure has affected your health. Take the mold exposure screening test called the Visual Contrast Sensitivity Aptitude Test (VCS) which is available online.
A single test is $15 and takes only 15 minutes or so. Your results are available immediately. The online screening test is a measure of one of the neurologic functions of vision called contrast and is a good indicator of mold exposure.
Don’t panic if your test results are positive. You can recover!
3. See a physician trained to treat mold illness
If your health is suffering, find a physician trained in Functional Medicine at www.functionalmedicine.org.
Why Functional Medicine? Functional medicine focuses on finding the root cause of issues and not simply treating symptoms and is ideal for treating health problems caused by mold exposure. Referred to as medicine for the 21st century, functional medicine will help you regain your health.
Sounds like just what you need, right?
4. Find a professional mold remediator
Depending on the extent of the mold growth and water damage, you may need to opt for professional mold remediation. According to Greg Weatherman, principal owner of Aerobiological Inc, you should look for the following when hiring a consultant:
- Consultants should have “professional” or “errors and omissions” insurance with a “pollution” policy specifically stating “microbial investigations” on their certificate of insurance.
- Best qualified consultants have PE, CIH, CIAQC or CMC certifications.
- Check out the ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification) website which has a listing for insured, certified companies.
5. Get immediate relief with the best air purifier
If you have concerns about airborne mold, you can get immediate relief by using an air cleaner to improve air quality. One of our favorites is the Austin Healthmate Plus™ and Healthmate Plus Junior™.
The Austin Air HealthMate™ Air Cleaner removes 99.97% of particles in the air – mold, dust, pollens, and VOCs. The Healthmate Plus™ can clean up to 1500 sq ft and the Healthmate Plus Junior™ cleans up to 700 sq ft.
With the right air cleaner, you can breathe easier without worries.
6. Clean up with a HEPA vacuum
You can clean up mold spores using a vacuum with a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter will make sure that the mold and other particles remain trapped in the vacuum bag and do not re-circulate like standard vacuums.
You may also want to do some more reading. The resources below should help!
Surviving Mold
Stories of people who’ve been made ill after they were exposed to water-damaged buildings. Great chapter on testing and remediation.
Moisture Control Handbook: Principles and Practices for Residential and Small Commercial Buildings
This reference is an up-to-date guide that touches on moisture control and treatment techniques in a problem/solution format.
My House is Killing Me!
This book shares experiences of others who can identify with living with mold and the side effects that may occur. Also, learn how to find the source using a step-by-step approach to control and eliminate indoor pollutants.
What Every Home Owner Needs To Know About Mold (And What To Do About It)
In an easy to read format, a homeowner is given a helpful checklist to battle mold.
Sources:
1. Mark Hyman MD, The Ultra Mind Solution (New York: Scribner, 2009)
2. Ritchie C. Shoemaker MD, Surviving Mold (Baltimore: Otter Bay Books, LLC, 2010)