Tag Archive for: mold

Understanding Mold Testing and Strategies for Optimal Health with Carrie Rutledge

By Carrie Rutledge, Nutrition Therapist Master, Patient Coordinator 

 

Navigating Living in Mold-Affected Environments

My daughter and I began to express some varied physical symptoms including skin rashes and lowered immunity after moving into our new home. Mold illness is rarely discussed in mainstream medicine and mold testing has a high rate of inaccuracy. It’s important to be vigilant as so many children and adults are struggling with diagnoses when the elephant in the room is overlooked. The truth is water penetration can happen anywhere and it’s extremely important to monitor and regularly test the home to avoid significant health risks. This article explores the importance of mold testing and provides practical strategies for managing living conditions in mold-affected environments to maintain optimal health.

 

Health Implications of Mold Exposure

Exposure to mold can lead to a variety of health issues, ranging from mild allergic reactions to severe respiratory and neurological problems, and even death. Understanding these health implications is essential for taking appropriate action to mitigate risks. 

 

Common Health Effects

Some practitioners would argue that over 50% of children with ASD, PANS/PANDAS, OCD, ADHD and anxiety are on the Mast Cell Activation Spectrum (MCAS) and it will be extremely difficult to get their immune system to calm down without controlling their environment. When there is exposure to significant amounts of mold and all the detoxification pathways are struggling to keep up, it will be nearly impossible to detoxify until the exposure piece has been handled. 

Mold spores can trigger allergic reactions, respiratory issues, chronic ear infections, strep throat, skin rashes, eczema, lowered immunity, neurological symptoms, fatigue, and migraines. Neurological symptoms commonly seen in children with severe mold exposure are severe OCD, PANS/PANDAS, ASD, tics, brain fog, hormonal imbalance, head banging, anxiety and extreme anger. It’s important to understand that not all individuals will present symptomatology as genetics will play a role in the constitution of the person affected. This is why a mother and child may show symptoms, but the father and other siblings may not. 

When these symptoms arise, many parents take their child to the pediatrician only to be diagnosed with Strep or PANS/PANDAS even though the child may not have an active Strep infection. The doctor will put the child on antibiotics and the symptoms will improve only for the child to crash and burn when they come off the antibiotics. 

You may be able to see some indications of toxic mold exposure with routine blood tests. The markers you can look for are elevated liver enzymes and eosinophils. It is also not uncommon for mold exposure to lower the white blood cell count to the lower end of normal (around or below 4,500 IU). Nutrient deficiencies may also be present such as anemia and low zinc levels. 

 

Mold Testing: The First Step to Awareness

Mold testing is the crucial first step in identifying and understanding the extent of mold contamination in your living environment. There are several methods of mold testing, each with its own merits and applications. 

Unfortunately, most mold inspectors have very little training and do not understand the true impact of mold exposure. Usually, the mold inspector will follow OSHA guidelines and take a sample of air from each room. The home will then be given a clean bill of health if the amount of mold in the home is less than that of the exterior. However, a study from Berkeley showed that mold spores can only travel about four inches from an area of contamination and the mycotoxin gas that is released into the air is difficult to test for. California is a perfect example of a very dry state that also has homes that are prone to high levels of dry or non-active mold; however, it’s the mycotoxins and the gas they produce, that leads to severe health issues for many people. 

We often hear that someone has just moved into a brand-new home so there is no possible way for it to have mold. This is not always the case as mold can rapidly grow in air conditioners from improper installation or drainage. Mold growth has been found in brand new homes with wine cellars that are not allowing for humidity to be released resulting in rapid mold growth. Furthermore, homes built on elevated foundations where water consistently passes underneath the subfloor are prone to mold if they are not properly ventilated. Mold can also be found in churches, schools, workspaces and many buildings that we frequent daily, making us or our children chronically sick. 

If you suspect that your home may have mold, you may want to choose a screening tool that is extremely sensitive and will let you know if further investigation is necessary.  An ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) is a great option for screening that looks at dust collected in the home. The Dust Test is my favorite because it offers follow-up discussions on the results you receive. You perform the test yourself by wiping up dust in your home and then you send it off to a lab to be tested. After a few weeks your results will be uploaded to an online portal. Sampling your dust for mold can give you an indication if your home is safe or if remediation may be needed. Once you have your results you can decide if you need a full inspection to pinpoint where the mold is located, and if remediation is possible. 

Likewise, the ISEAI (International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illnesses) is a great resource to use if mold is found in the home. This website (ISEAI – International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness) gives lists of IEPs or Indoor Environmental Professionals, who can assess and guide families along the way. If you reside in the Atlanta area, we suggest Robby Brown at Breathewell Air (www.breathwellair.com) to evaluate the air quality in the home.  

 

How to Navigate Living in a Moldy Situation Until Remediation is Possible

Living in a mold-affected environment requires a proactive approach to minimizing health risks and improving indoor air quality. I have listed some practical strategies to navigate these challenges.

Remediation is the best option for healing the environment and the individuals who are living there. The problem is not everyone can remediate and/or move, and remediation is dependent on finances and effective identification of all contaminated areas. This is also a very difficult situation for people who are renting. The landlord will bring in their conventional mold testers, they won’t find anything significant, and everyone moves on. Furthermore, a family might remediate one area of the home to find out there is also mold in the HVAC system or the air conditioner and the contamination is bigger than they thought. 

For families living in a moldy situation and remediation is not possible, there are steps you can take to improve the air quality  so that the health of the family can improve. 

 

Ventilation

Make sure the home is properly ventilated and keep the windows open as much as possible if you live in a temperate climate. 

 

HEPA Filtration 

Quality air filtration systems can be somewhat effective especially if they contain a layer of activated charcoal or carbon filter that is able to filter the VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. A simple HEPA filter will not capture these compounds and will release them back into the atmosphere. There are expensive high-grade filters such as IQ Air or an Allerair Airmedic, but the air purifier may be placed too far away from the contaminated area, or it may not be scrubbing air uniformly. Furthermore, single room air filters usually will not capture the volume of air that needs to be scrubbed. This is why just throwing an air purifier in a room may not be enough to combat living in a moldy home. However, when a quality air purifier is paired with ionization, it can work quite well. 

 

Ionization

Many studies are showing that ionization is now the most effective way to clean the air. Ionization is when electrically charged molecules are released into the air and attach to airborne particles causing them to clump together. The particles will then either fall to the ground or become captured from your filtration system. Air oasis (smaller living areas), IAP/GPS (larger rooms), combined with HEPA filtration and weekly deep cleaning are excellent options for controlling air quality in a home that cannot be remediated. 

Mold testing is an essential step in identifying and managing mold contamination in your living environment. By understanding the health risks associated with mold exposure and implementing effective strategies to navigate mold-affected areas, you can maintain optimal health and improve your quality of life. Regular maintenance, proactive measures, and seeking professional advice when needed are key to living healthily in the presence of mold.

If you are living in a moldy environment, Longevity is here to help with holistic detoxification and support. Call and speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members to learn more. 

 

How Mold and Mycotoxins Impact Our Health with Julie Miles

 Mold and Mycotoxins with Certified Naturopath, Janelle Bertler

Our very own Janelle Bertler was recently interviewed by Julie Miles of Beauty for Broken Life Coaching. In addition to being a caring and compassionate Patient Coordinator at Longevity, Julie works with women who desire to discover the broken rhythms in their lives and move forward to a beautiful transition to whole health: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Janelle sat down with Julie for her Summer Wellness Series to discuss mold and mycotoxin toxicity, how we get exposed to it, and how it can impact our health. You’ll get to hear Janelle’s own story of mold illness and how she recovered, as well as steps to aid in your own recovery. 

Today Janelle uses her firsthand experience to advise and walk alongside our clients at Longevity as they go through their own healing journeys. 

Be sure to tune in for this great conversation! 

Mold Sensitivity: How This Harmful Toxin Could Be Impacting Your Health

By Anna Powers, ND, Bioenergetic Practitioner

Mold is part of the cleanup crew of life. It helps break down debris, so it can return to the earth.
To grow, mold needs high humidity and a cellulose-based fuel source such as wood, plants or sheetrock. Mold spores can be tracked into our homes from shoes, clothing, pets, plants, and used furniture to name a few. High humidity enables the spores to proliferate on walls, furniture and carpets.

While the presence of mold in a home can be simply a nuisance to some, it can create significant health issues for others. About 25% of the population is allergic to mold and/or lacks the ability to process it within their bodies. That is why one member of the family can be fine and another member of the family can become extremely ill.

In sensitive individuals, mold exposure can cause immune suppression, eye irritation, inflammation, wheezing, coughing, asthma, sinusitis, headaches, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, poor memory, digestive issues, fibromyalgia, joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, numbness, tingling, rashes, lethargy, rapid weight gain, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and more.
Of course, mold is not the only cause of these symptoms.

Mold spores enter the body through the sinuses or lungs, which provide a moist environment to breed. In 1999, Mayo Clinic researchers studied 210 patients with chronic sinusitis and discovered fungus in 96% of the patients’ mucus. They identified a total of 40 different kinds of fungi in these patients, with an average of 2.7 kinds per patient.

Once a patient is removed from a toxic mold environment, the detoxification process requires time and patience. It typically involves supporting the nervous system and vagal system, opening the body’s detoxification pathways such as the lymph, liver, and kidneys, and adding binders to escort the mold and mycotoxins out of the body.

The best way to prevent mold growing in your living spaces is to keep the humidity below 50% and clean your home regularly. A humidity meter can be purchased to monitor levels. If humidity is above 50%, it’s best to get a whole house dehumidifier, or a portable one for affordability. If a leak is found, it needs to be fixed immediately.

If mold is found in porous areas of your home, whatever you do, do NOT bleach it! Bleach only kills mold on non-porous surfaces such as a stainless steel sink. Since bleach is over 90% water, spraying bleach on a porous surface, such as drywall, only lightens the mold and evaporates it on the surface. It is still able to saturate the sheetrock underneath with water, enabling the mold “roots” to proliferate. In addition, bleach is thought to cause mold to release mycotoxins, which can be much more toxic than mold itself. Mycotoxins attach to dust particles that are carried throughout the home and create a much bigger problem.

We suggest using EC3 Mold Spray because it works by disrupting the chitin shell of the mold spore so that it is non-viable and cannot proliferate. It doesn’t clean mold or stain, but it does reduce its toxic impact.

If you suspect mold growth in your home, you need to remediate a leak, or you want to clean the air ducts, it’s optimal to use a professional service who understands the physiological impact of mold and can help you determine if there is a mold problem and how to remediate it safely. Here are some questions to ask:

  • How long have you been in business?
  • Do you use negative pressure containment around the contaminated area?
  • How do you ensure workers in the contaminated area do not spread mold through the rest of the house?
  • Do you use an air scrubber after mold is removed?
  • Do you use a third-party company to perform before and after air quality tests?
  • Do you offer a warranty?
  • Do you have three customers I can speak with?

If you suspect mold is impacting your health, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of Longevity’s knowledgeable and experienced bioenergetic practitioners. Our team can help you identify if mold or other toxins are burdening your system, and help you with a customized detoxification protocol. Learn more at LongevityHealth.com.

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality to Our Health

By Robby Brown, BreatheWell Air 

 

My relationship with Longevity began over 15 years ago when I was referred by a friend after I discovered we had mold in our home and learned that I am highly allergic to mold. That relationship has grown and evolved over the years and now I have the privilege of assisting many Longevity patients as they seek to improve their indoor air quality (IAQ).

Once you realize you are in the “mold club” which 1 in 4 people are prone to be, you recognize that mold lurks not only at home but also work, shopping, hotels, vacation rentals, and – even worse- relatives’ homes! That is why I am passionate about helping others navigate the broad issue of IAQ and the specific problems presented by mold.

Our goal is to advise our customers by identifying IAQ issues they face and develop and implement a plan to remedy. In implementation we take a layered approach- meaning we start with the remedies that are deemed essential and then reevaluate afterwards to determine if further action is required. Not only is this approach prudent but it enables our customers to take steps as their budget allows.

For those of us who live in the humid southeast, mold is a dominant IAQ problem. Following are a few important facts to consider when evaluating mold issues:

  • Most mold we encounter is not obvious black spots on a wall (more typical of water leaks) but a more subtle, vague, grayish color which is not easily recognizable.
  • The two most critical factors involved with all mold growth are:
    • Controlling humidity
    • Eliminating food sources for mold
  • Humidity in your home must be kept below 50% to control mold growth. This includes both conditioned and unconditioned spaces like crawl space or unfinished basement.
  • In most mold situations, large commercial dehumidifiers ducted into the HVAC system are required to control humidity. Typically, small portable dehumidifiers are not enough to control whole-house humidity.
  • One of the most surprising but common sources of mold is found in the HVAC system. Besides poor filtration, a major issue we see frequently is plenums (or even trunk lines) made of duct board. This is a fibrous material and when cold, moist AC air is added it becomes like a petri dish and mold flourishes. The only solution is removing and replacing with sheet metal.

When assessing mold each situation is unique and often we identify problems without running a mold test. However, when a test is required we use AirAnswers- a recently developed, patented testing device which we run for 24-hours. During the test period the silent device captures over 200,000 liters of air on a steel cartridge. The cartridge is shipped to a lab for testing to determine if live, active mold is growing and then genera, and/or mycotoxins tests are available as needed. Much like the food we buy, this process puts a “nutritional label” on your air.

Last, while much of our business as well as the above information is mold related, the importance of IAQ and proper filtration is often overlooked. It is estimated that we spend 90% of our time indoors. Thus, the obvious importance of breathing healthy air which by definition is determined by the number and size particles in the air we breathe. The problem is that particles are unseen and according to the medical experts such as American Lung Association and American Heart Association, the smaller particles cause the most damage to our health.

It is very common in homes and smaller office environments to only have 1-inch filters (measuring depth). Generally, these do not filter out the smaller particles and mostly capture larger particles like dust. We use a laser particle scanner to test each environment and focus on the ultrafine particle sizes. To provide some context, the width of a human hair is about 100 microns in width. Ultrafine particle sizes we measure are 2.5 micron and 0.03 microns. These unseen tiny particles are the most dangerous as they are so small that they can enter our bloodstream and go to our heart, lungs, etc.

A valuable step in improving IAQ is to have a more significant filter cabinet installed and we recommend a 5-inch depth and use a high-grade MERV filter to make significant improvements in IAQ. This, along with high quality portable air purifiers, can make a significant impact on the quality of air you breathe and on your overall health.

In summary, IAQ is no respecter of house size or price. All houses are basic structures with HVAC systems and face the same environmental issues. But be encouraged as virtually all IAQ issues can be resolved and you can BreatheWell in your home.

Learn more at https://www.breathewellair.com/ 

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