We hear about toxic mold in the news all
the time.
It has been linked with:
* Headaches
* Sinus Infections
* Coughing
* Weakened Immune System
* Dizziness
* Skin Infections
* Ear Infections
* Cancer
* Brain Damage
* ADHD
The toxins (poisons) that the molds create are harmless to humans
outdoors where concentrations are low. Indoors, concentrations
go up. When the amounts are sufficiently high, the mycotoxins
(mold poisons) can make you and your kids sick.
The Arab Oil Embargo of 1972 caused us to tighten up our homes
to conserve energy. This has allowed mold toxins to build up
even in homes with only a moderate amount of mold colonies.
You often aren't sick enough to go to the doctor when you are
infected by mold. You take aspirin for your headaches and
decongestants for your sinuses.
But over time these problems get worse. Minor problems with
the sinuses turn into inflammatory problems.
Inflammatory problems include:
* Lupus
* Arthritis
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Blood vessel deterioration
There is a more detailed list of molds and the diseases they
cause at
http://www.themoldlab.com
The most common approach to killing mold is to use bleach.
Unfortunately, bleach doesn't kill mold. It just bleaches it.
It takes the color out. The mold is still alive and producing
its poisons but we cannot see it.
The EPA, at one point, said to use bleach to get rid of mold
on glass and tile surfaces only. However, as of 2002, the
EPA does not recommend the use of chlorine bleach.
(http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/i-e-r.html)
Many chemicals that kill mold will burn people's lungs. This is
particularly true for small children. Even EPA approved mold
killers do this.
Most, if not all, companies that eliminate mold use these
strong chemicals that are very toxic to people with asthma (3 of
7 people according to the American Lung Association). Many people
with asthma cannot reenter their own houses if they have been
sprayed with commercial fungicides (mold killers). And to add
insult to injury, most fungicides are not applied properly so
they do not even kill the mold.
There are 100,000's of different molds. Each causes it own
problems each has its own needs. The trick to killing mold
is to know what molds you have and deny them their basic
needs. This gets rid of the mold but does not poison the
residents.
How Not to Kill Mold
by Dr GW Graham
For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat and
prevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean
environment.
http://tennesseemold.com/ebooks.shtml
DrGraham@themoldlab.com |
