Allergy Consumer Review Issue #41
October, 2002 Dear Everyone,
We have been conducting subscriber surveys and listening to some of the things you want from us. What you like and what you don't like. So, we are very busy in redesigning parts of our web site. Take a look at our new entry page to our shopping area. We are very proud of it and hope it makes your navigation easier. On this new shopping page, you will notice several new important links. We have a page, which lists all the special offers and sales on the site in one convenient location. You should check back often to this section as we will be updating it frequently. Sign up for the newsletter. Get your friends to sign up for the newsletter to get "subscribers only" specials. We also have a new updated gift ideas page. We have very fast videos demonstrating the Hamilton Beach humidifier and the Ladybug series of vapor steam cleaners. People tell us these are really helpful. And for the bargain hunters among you, we brought in some inventory from a manufacturer at less than half our usual cost for a superb little steam cleaner, the Steamax, and we are passing these savings onto to you. Unfortunately, the price will not last and we have a limited supply, so do please hurry. This steam cleaner is such a bargain, that all our staff is lining up to buy one for a family member for the holidays. It is a REAL steam cleaner, not the junk you see in the retail stores or "infomercials". See the details of the offer below but it is $300 off, nearly half price. It is rare that I can do something like this, but you must act now. As promised we have the rare Eiderdown and Siberian down comforters now on site and I review them in this newsletter. We also have many Questions and Answers in this newsletter with Thad Godish on mold problems in the home. Do not miss this practical advice towards the end of this newsletter.
Mercia Tapping Disclaimer: Product and solution information reflect information available at the time of publication, including prices, availability, and reviews. To get the latest information, contact us or join our newsletter.
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First
of all, apologies if you have had any performance problems with our web
site. Our Internet Service Provider (ISP) was sold and our site was whisked
out of state at 48 hours notice and has been periodically crashing ever
since for the last three weeks. What a disaster! So we are in the process
of moving our server back to Boston to a "top-tier" ISP and
hopefully in about a week, we will be back to normal.
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How we test air cleaners We do not sell goods we have not tested and pulled apart ourselves. We do not throw up a product for sale onto a web site and hope it sticks. To give you some idea, this is what we do for air cleaners. A team of three people who are very experienced and well trained, first pull a machine apart. They have a checklist of about 30 items. At this juncture, they also test the machine's efficiency, meaning how much dirty air escapes back out into the room. Many air cleaners get rejected at this stage. Then we have a tiny testing room. It is not air tight, but it has no windows and we lock it during testing. We measure the particulate level in the room at 24, 48 hours and weekly intervals. If the machine looks promising, we send it home for a real life test, with a staff member to the most adverse conditions we can find (not my house!), and our staff test particulate levels with a monitor at periodic intervals. They look to see if the overall particulate level in a room or the whole house gets reduced and by how much. For legal liability reasons, we cannot publish many of our results. Our web site tries to steer you in the right direction in the products we sell. We try to be as candid as we can about what we sell and if we do not sell it, there is probably a good reason. And yes, we have tested some of the best selling air cleaners, including household names, on the market today and some of them we wouldn't want them on our web site even if they paid us. See our selection of air cleaners |
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Definition of hypoallergenic "Hypoallergenic" - Definition: non-allergy producing. A term applied to a preparation in which every possible care has been taken in formulation and production to ensure minimum instance of allergic reactions. (Blakiston's Medical Dictionary) The definition of hypoallergenic is "having a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction." Based on this definition, our products, including comforters are definitely hypoallergenic. The definition of non-allergenic is "having no tendency to provoke an allergic reaction." Therefore, it cannot be said in truth any product is really non-allergenic. Somebody somewhere will have a reaction. For many years, companies have been producing products that they claim are "hypoallergenic" or "safe for sensitive skin" or "allergy tested." These statements imply that the products making the claims are less likely to cause allergic reactions than competing products. But there has been no assurance to consumers that this actually was the case. For the past four years, the Food and Drug Administration has been working to clear up this confusion of claims by establishing testing requirements that would determine which products really are "hypoallergenic." But late last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that FDA's regulation defining "hypoallergenic" was invalid. This means there is now no regulation specifically defining or governing the use of the term "hypoallergenic" or similar claims. And because of the lengthy procedural steps required to establish a new regulation that is likely to be the situation for some time to come. Here is then the truth. Despite all the reassurances and claims that manufacturers give us about their products in terms of allergy reactivity, nothing is 100% guaranteed to be non-reactive. This is particularly true of the bedding category. We put our comforters and pillows to the test with our most allergy sensitive employees, asking them to sleep with comforter samples as a pillow. Here is what we have found so far. Nobody has reacted to cotton or wool pillows and even the most sensitive seem to be just fine with either our Ming Dynasty or Imperial Delight silk filled comforters. In all the hundreds of sales we have had of Hypodown comforters, we have only had one return related to an asserted allergic reaction. We did however test Hypodown with our employee base and found someone with eczema who felt itchy with a Hypodown comforter. What we seemed to find, was that our staff members with eczema reacted to any down product, (including our new hypoallergenic Siberian and Eiderdown comforters), much it had been washed by the manufacturer, and however excellent its turbidity (cleanliness) rating. Those staff with respiratory allergies or sinus problems, including feather allergies, curiously enough seemed to be fine. Our solution? Both Hypodown and Hyperdown manufacturers give you 30 days to try out their products for an allergic reaction and if you have one, you can return it. From what I have seen this is a pretty good bet on their part. Our Siberian and Eiderdown products are also hypoallergenic but custom made and therefore non-returnable. If you have any doubt about your potential reactivity, we have a sample program and you can test the samples out for yourself. See all our down and silk comforters |
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The ultimate in down comforters, Siberian and Eiderdown
The true Eiderdown comforter is a rarity. It is the Faberge egg of comforters, and if you are concerned about price, this is clearly not a product for you. Let me tell you a little about them. The finest, warmest and most rare down comforter in the world, Eider duck down is harvested from abandoned nests that the mother duck covers with down she plucks from her own breast to keep her eggs warm. Eider ducks are protected from the usual commercial type of harvesting, and as you can imagine, hand harvesting after the nests have been abandoned, is very labor intensive and expensive. There is also a very limited world supply of Eider down each year, in the region of 2,000 kilos and it is diminishing yearly. An Eiderdown comforter, therefore is considered to be an heirloom. Eiderdown is the best insulator for regulating body temperature - no sweating, no freezing. The wild Eider duck is only found in the nethermost regions of the North Atlantic, principally in Iceland. The climatic condition under which these rare birds have survived, has given rise to a kind of down and subsequent insulating power which is off the scale in terms of what we usually think of in terms of "fill power," the usual measure of thermal insulating quality. Fill power is usually determined by the size of the down clusters and the space of the air between them. The eider duck has very sticky and dense down clusters. Hard to describe because it is so different, but the result when it is put into a garment or comforter, is no bulk for incredible warmth. I have always been curious about the Eiderdown. Was it as good as it is cracked up to be? What could possibly be worth that amount of money? Mary Jo, a true thrifty New Englander on our staff has been adamant. No comforter is worth that kind of money! Mary Jo is a fan of silk filled comforters and sleeps under our Imperial Delight Silk filled comforter. For around $300, she is right, it is a luxury bargain and Mary Jo likes bargains. An eiderdown comforter is not a bargain, but it is something truly special. It is after all, considered to be one of the most sought after luxuries in the world. The great day came when our first samples arrived from our new supplier, including those of the Eiderdown. Unfortunately, not a whole comforter, just a few squares. But enough to make you fantasize and say to yourself "One day..." and know in your soul that you REALLY want one of these things. To be honest when I first held Eiderdown in my hand I was astonished. Could anything actually be that light and actually keep you warm? I had a hard time when I closed my eyes feeling any weight at all. When we were comparing the Eiderdown to other top grade, goose down comforters, it was clear that Eiderdown was simply in a class of its own. It seemed disconcertingly light to some of our staff, used to being weighted down at night. If I had a wealthy husband, I would put this on my Christmas list. As it is, I love my husband dearly but wealthy he is not. And I cannot quite justify getting a new comforter this year after splurging on a Hypodown comforter last year. But if I had not bought a comforter recently, I would be trying to rationalize to myself that I should buy one. Something along the lines of "you deserve this." These incredible eiderdown down comforters are a custom order, and are covered with a 300 plus thread count silk. This makes them down proof but with a nice luxury feel. Then we would reluctantly put the finest of silk duvet covers on the comforter to prolong the life of the Eiderdown. The manufacturer claims they are Hypoallergenic, but at this price if you have any doubt, ask about our sample program. And if you buy one of these comforters you would be a lunatic to let your pets near them. Even in my house where I am a certified cat nut case, this is where I would draw the line. Hypoallergenic, but at this price if you have any doubt, ask for our sample program.
SIBERIAN DOWN COMFORTERS When I first saw the samples and felt how divinely light, puffy and luxurious they were, I said to myself, these belong in a starlet's bedroom! There is something about them, which is just reeking of luxury! If you want an impressive gift this Christmas this could be the one for you. We offer two new kinds of Siberian down comforters. Venus has a very fine high thread cotton covering, the Opulence has silk. I would go for the silk covering myself. Hypoallergenic samples are available for testing purposes. These comforters are made to order and take
about a month to make. Please do not come begging for one
after Thanksgiving and ask for Christmas delivery. You need
to be ordering it now. Prices for Eiderdown comforters start at $8,999.95. |
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Moldy Smells and Water Damage Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Moldy Smells and Water Damage A. The problem you describe is not uncommon, that is, water coming into a house or housing unit with no discernable source. I have observed it happen in both new and existing houses. In the former, it is usually associated with some kind of construction defect - rainwater coming through roofing vents or flaws in application of roofing materials. The rain only comes in during a wind-driven rain from a particular direction. Once it comes in, it flows down along wall surfaces in the living spaces below. In such cases, much of the water damage will be internal to wall cavities and remain hidden. Since I don't know the nature of your condominium (whether it is a multi-story unit or not), it is difficult to give specific recommendations. If your condominium has an attic above it, that is the first place to start. It is not uncommon to find water stains on the rafters where water came in. Once you have found those water stains, you can have a contractor repair the cause of the problem. As the water comes down the rafters, you should be able to see where it dripped onto attic insulation and the pathway it took to get into living areas. I suspect that wetted areas have yet to be remediated. Finding the source of water entry is essential for remediating the water problem and the mold problem associated with it and, of course, the health problems you have been experiencing. I believe the problem lies in the roof, particularly if it has a ridgeline ventilation installation. The health problems you have been experiencing are classical mold-type exposure problems. They will continue if you attempt to live in the house without remediating all mold-infested areas associated with the water leaks. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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Prevention of Mold in new construction Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. What steps should a general contractor take during new construction to prevent the growth of mold during and after construction is complete? What design issues should the contractor alert the owner to that may promote microbial growth? - David, Florida A. Many of the most common mold infestation problems found in residences can be prevented by good construction practices and subsequent good maintenance by homeowners. The major construction-related causes of mold infestation include: wet site/poor drainage, inadequate crawlspace ventilation, inadequate attic ventilation, poor masonry construction practices, and inadequate window/door frame caulking. Because of the relative scarcity of good quality land for residential construction, many houses are built on poorly drained sites. Such sites must be adequately dried using perimeter and under slab or crawlspace tile. This is particularly the case in clay and mucky soils. If the site is not adequately drained, water will actually enter heating/cooling ducts in slab houses and sit on top of the ground in houses built on crawlspaces. In both cases the house will be subject to higher-than-normal relative humidity, a major risk factor for mold infestation. Higher moisture levels in crawlspaces will provide an environment that promotes mold growth on floor joists. Mold spores from infestations in the crawlspace are quickly transported into living spaces through supply and return air ducts. All crawlspaces should be provided with adequate ventilation. Vents should be located on the crawlspace masonry on at least three of the four walls to promote cross-ventilation. Landscape shrubbery should not be placed in front of crawlspace vents. In northern climates, the attic needs to have good ridge and soffitt vents to prevent condensation on roof decking. Activities in a house are a significant source of moisture that is carried upward into the attic. Because of warmer temperatures in Florida and other southern states, such condensation and subsequent mold infestation are less likely. Poor masonry construction practices result in water penetration through mortar and cracked brick into wall cavities during wind-driven rains. It is good practice to remove excess mortar from brick surfaces facing the interior walls and have functioning weep holes. Because mortar is so porous, functioning weep holes are essential. If rainwater makes its way into the wall cavity, it may remain there for days. Wood timbers become infested with mold and experience structural deterioration. When the wind blows even slightly, both mold spores and odor will enter the house. Brick houses in Florida and other parts of the South experience some unique problems. The sun shining on wet brick appears to drive moisture inward, causing condensation on the first cold surface it encounters. This may be the backside of gypsum board or vinyl wallpaper over gypsum board. This often results in Stachybotrys infestations. As a result, some moisture control engineers recommend placing a vapor barrier on the exterior surface of the interior wall. Most homeowners and some contractors do not seem to understand that the reason that one caulks windows and doors is to keep rainwater out of the walls. Water quickly enters wall cavities around poorly-caulked windows, resulting in rotting timbers, mold spore production, and potentially-significant mold exposures. Homeowners should make sure their windows and doors are always well-caulked. If window frames start to physically deteriorate, they should be replaced in a reasonable period of time. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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Do houseplants cause mold problems? Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. I love houseplants and have many. I have read before that they can cause a problem for mold-sensitive individuals. The article suggested changing from clay pots to plastic pots. Do you recommend this, or suggest getting rid of them entirely? - Debbie, MA A. Houseplants by themselves do not pose any unique risk of excessive mold exposures. Many common mold species are described as being phylloplane species, that is, they commonly grow on leaves, particularly dead leaves. On houseplants, it would be dead leaves that would most likely be a source of mold spores that would become airborne. Mold also grows on the surface of soil. As such, soil surfaces in plant pots also have the potential to be a source of airborne mold. Mold growth on soil surfaces and dead leaves is not likely to be significantly affected by the type of pots that one uses. Switching from plastic to clay pots does not seem to have any scientific basis. There are very few scientific studies that have attempted to evaluate the potential effect of houseplants on airborne mold spore levels. Early studies approximately two decades ago did not observe any differences in houses with and without houseplants. Most reports are anecdotal, that is, based on personal observations that have not been scientifically evaluated. On an intuitive basis, one would expect houseplants to be at least a limited source of mold spores. How much of a source would depend on how many are being grown and how well they are being taken care of. Lots of plants with lots of dead leaves would pose a greater potential for airborne mold than a house in which plants are fewer or very well taken care of. Houseplants can affect airborne mold levels in a house indirectly by causing high-localized relative humidity and damage to materials as a result of excessive and careless plant watering. Water-damaged materials can be a significant source of mold. High relative humidity can result in condensation on wall surfaces and subsequent mold growth. In my personal and consulting experience, it is these indirect effects that pose the greatest risk of mold exposure to sensitive individuals. Growing many houseplants with careful watering and attention to providing adequate ventilation in high plant density rooms should pose little or no risk to mold-sensitive individuals. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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Mold and a Sick House Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. I have what I would consider a sick house. During the winter months (I live in ND) we had some condensation problems on our windows. All of them were covered with a black/green looking mold. We wiped this clean as often as possible and when spring arrived, I cleaned all the surfaces with a diluted bleach. We also had a condensation problem on one of our exterior walls. This caused mold to grow up about 2 feet on the interior wall. I have since had an Ultra Violet(UV) Air purifier installed. Prior to installation we had air sampling done as well as several surface cultures. The pre-installation sampling included higher levels of Cladosporium Species indoors than out and also Malbranchea 1. 0 Colony Forming Units (CFU), Pithomyces 1. 0 CFU, Epicoccum, 1. 0 CFU and Basidiomycete 1. 0 CFU were found indoors and not out. In the post installation test, the indoor quantity of Cladosporium was significantly less inside than out (From 400 CFU out to 68 CFU in). However, we again had species inside that were not detected outside. - Grant, North Dakota A. Condensation on windows and occasionally walls is not uncommon in very cold winter climates such as those experienced in North Dakota and many parts of Canada. Condensation is particularly a problem in houses that have older single pane windows or some of the earlier thermopane ones. It is also a problem in houses that have high indoor moisture generation rates from showering and the building site. One can mostly avoid such problems by installing triple-pane windows and insuring that the shower area is well exhausted during and after showering. Site-generated moisture is a much more complex issue. The fact that mold was found growing in the wall indicates that the walls don't have a vapor barrier or if it does it was not properly installed. It is the job of a vapor barrier to prevent water from passing into walls, hitting a cold surface and then condensing. In older houses it is usually cost-prohibitive to install a vapor barrier unless other renovation work is being done. If you have mold growing in your wall, the best approach is to remove the interior wall covering and enter the cavity (not literally). If considerable decay is present, remove and replace affected timbers. If infestation does not involve decay, vacuum infested surfaces with a high-powered shop vac (at least 5 HP), brush with a stiff brush, and vacuum again. Then apply a mold inhibiting paint. To minimize exposure to you and other members of your family, take appropriate precautions including isolating the area, use polyethylene drop cloth, and respirator. Don't carry infested materials out without first wrapping them lest you spread mold spores around your house. The ultra-violet air purifier will provide no benefit to you as it does not reduce one's exposure. It can kill mold spores. However, it does not matter whether mold spores are dead or alive when it comes to causing allergic symptoms or asthma attacks. Using a UV purifiers can alter air tests results when culturable-viable (culture media) sampling is conducted. Measured concentrations should be lower. Cladosporium is a black mold and it commonly grows on condensate-affected window-related surfaces. Higher indoor concentrations indicate a source of infestation. Lower values of indoor mold after the installation of the UV purifier do not indicate that health-affecting mold levels no longer exist. It matters not whether mold spores are alive or dead when it comes to most mold-related health problems. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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What do mold test results mean? Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. My family and I moved into a rental home on May 25, 2002. Within a few days everyone was ill, with symptoms ranging from coughing, sneezing, burning eyes, even visual blurring than dizziness, severe headaches, memory problems, diarrhea, fatigue. I simply thought we all had a very bad case of flu. My 13-year old son by June 16th was having extreme difficulty breathing, so I took him to his doctor. He was suffering from pulmonary edema with bronchial spasms. The doctor suggested that he may be having an allergic reaction. He was treated over a three-week span with massive doses of antibiotics and steroids to clear his lungs. After the visit I went home and decided to clean the basement that the landlord had not finished doing, at which time I found large mold growth on the walls. After calling the physician, he said that either the mold goes or we have to. I had Air-O-Cell analysis, swabs and tape samples done. Air samples came back as Aspergillus/Penicillium sample concentration of >2571, Cladosporium 29, Chaetomium 109, Hyphae 11, in my son's bedroom. The swabs came back with Aspergillus/Penicillium sp. =High, Cladosporium sp. =Medium, Fusarium sp. =Medium, Epicoccum sp. Chaetomiun sp. , Myxomycete sp. , Ulocladium sp. Cladosporium sp. Basidiomycete sp. All=Low. Tape samples of basement floors and walls where Cladosporium sp. 5+Packed, Mycelia sp. 5+Packed, Microsporium 5+Packed. Could you please tell me what this all means, what the health effects are to exposure to these molds and lastly who can I find that can evaluate my family for possible exposure. We left our home and all of our belongings, all the symptoms have gone away except for coughing, abdominal pain and diarrhea, and I'm having extreme difficulty with spontaneous memory. - Michellenea, IL A. The Aspergillus/Pennicillium concentration was relatively high and visible mold growth on basement walls indicates that you had a significant mold infestation and exposure problem in that house. The symptoms, however, were quite extreme and not typically reported for mold exposures. The coughing, sneezing and possible headaches would be consistent with mold; the burning eyes, visual blurring, memory problems, diarrhea, fatigue are not. The pulmonary edema is also not consistent with mold exposure. I suspect that what caused your main illness symptoms was not mold. Some other contaminant or contaminants were likely to be present. The edema suggests nitrogen dioxide but at very high levels, levels that typically don't occur in residences unless some unusual things are stored there. Another possibility on the edema is lead from an exposure to lead dust from a remediation or some other source. I would recommend that you see a physician with a background in occupational medicine. The symptoms suggest exposure to an occupational type of contaminant. Also check out the potential for exposures to lead. The abdominal pain and diarrhea continuing are consistent with an exposure to lead. Have a blood lead level done on at least one member of your affected family. I would remove your belongings to a storage building to allow them to air out for a couple of weeks and then have soft materials vacuumed well, hard surfaces wet-wiped before you use them again. In my opinion, they are salvageable even if the exposure was to lead dust. You will find more information at the Mold In Our Homes website. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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Mold in a crawl space Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. We recently purchased a home in central Illinois. Our crawl space gets a great deal of moisture, and has resulted in mold growing on the floor joists. Also, our son has an allergy problem that wasn't a factor until moving into this home. My question is in three parts. What can I do to get rid of the mold? Could this be a factor in my son's allergies? Is this a situation that the previous home owner should be responsible for? - Jon, Illinois A. Wet/moist crawl spaces are common here in the Midwest because of the high clay content of soils in many building sites. Such soils are poorly drained and as such water often sits in crawlspaces for weeks or more during rainy periods of the year. This is even the case when pea gravel and polyethylene plastic are put down (though they likely do help). The problem is further exacerbated if the crawlspace has few or no vents, the vents are blocked by shrubbery, or vents are closed. When the house was built, the drainage should have been put in place around the perimeter of the house as well as under it to carry the water away. Because of the moisture, high relative humidity occurs in the crawlspace that provides an optimum environment for mold growth. The problem may be made worse by subsequent condensation on floor joists and other wood materials. My experience with wet crawlspaces is that they are major sources of mold growth and subsequent human exposures in living spaces. As such, it is highly probable that the allergy problem that your son has is associated with your house. Before you attempt to remediate the problem, you should have the crawlspace inspected by a professional to ascertain the true nature of the problem. I can only provide generic advice. This includes: vacuuming all infested timbers with heavy-duty vacuum cleaner (minimum 5 horsepower), brushing with a stiff brush, re-vacuuming and application of mold-inhibiting paint to both seal the mold in and prevent it from growing. This should be done taking appropriate safety measures (approved respirator, disposable/washable clothing, gloves, etc. ). Mold infestation will return if the drainage problem is not resolved. This will require engaging a professional to install an appropriate drainage system. The previous owner is only legally liable for this problem if he/she knew about it and failed to disclose it to you. The problem is a construction defect. As such, primary liability would likely fall on the house's contractor. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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How to track down moldy, musty smells Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. I smell a musty/moldy smell in my living room. I can narrow down the area of the smell, but can't seem to find the source. Any suggestions? - Debbie, Kentucky. A. If you can smell it but can't see it, it must be inside one of the living room walls or under the living room if you have a crawlspace. If the living room is on the south or southwest side of your house and you have brick or stone veneer, it is likely that rain water has gotten into your wall particularly from wind-driven rains. If such is the case, the moldy/musty odor will be the strongest on breezy days. Locating mold in a wall is difficult. Most professionals drill holes in such walls and collect mold samples to determine whether mold is present, the dominant mold types, and its relative concentrations. Typically I use a non-destructive approach. I typically look for electrical outlets on the external wall. I take the plastic plate off and then use my odor detector (my nose). I often detect the presence of mold odors in external walls using this technique. It works best on a slightly breezy day when the wall is under positive pressure. It also words best if the infestation is near to the electrical box. If it is distant, you may not be able to detect it. Mold infestation of exterior wall cavities is also common under windows, particularly windows subject to condensation and those that have been poorly caulked. Caulking is intended to prevent water from entering wall cavities. If it was poorly applied or maintained, water easily enters the wall around the window where infestation takes place. For
Indoor Environmental Notebook click here. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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Do all homes have mold to some degree? Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. Do all homes have some mold spores? In other words, is it possible to culture mold in a Petri dish but not have a mold problem in your home? We did a test for mold using Pro Labs home kit. The first time in January, nothing grew but in September we had growth. Does this mean we have mold in our house growing somewhere or could it have come from our dehumidifier, which has mold growing in it? - Tom, Pennsylvania A. All homes will test positive when air samples for mold are collected. Mold is a common part of the environment as it and many similar organisms consume dead organic matter such as leaves, tree limbs, dead grass, etc. Because mold is such a part of the environment, spores can be found in both indoor and outdoor air. Actually in most cases outdoor concentrations will be higher than those found indoors. Outdoor mold often dominates indoor sample concentrations when windows are open during the warmer months. Many of these spores will remain in the house and be re-suspended when surface dusts are disturbed. Typically when one has an infestation problem in a house, indoor mold will reflect the mold types present. These are often distinctively different from those suspended in the air outdoors. Mold concentrations indoors tend to vary with the season even when there are indoor sources. Mold grows best under warm, humid conditions, and less well in cooler, drier wintertime homes of our northern states. As such, seeing differences in test results in January vs. September can be expected. I am not familiar with the Pro Labs home kit. Since you used a Petri dish, I assume you used the setting plate method. If that is the case, it is a relatively crude way of trying to determine if you have a mold problem or not. Many mold species associated with indoor air problems settle slowly and may not appear on settling plates. As such, this method is of very limited usefulness. Mold growing in a dehumidifier or humidifier can be a significant source of mold exposure on a localized basis. As such these devices need to be maintained so that they are relatively clean of mold. Mold air concentrations in residences and other buildings can only be adequately assessed by using dynamic sampling methods, that is techniques which use samplers with air pumps and an appropriate collection medium. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
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Can one smell mold problems? Editor's Note: You can link to FAQs and articles by Thad Godish and others in our Mold Center. Q. What about sensory indicators of a mold problem? What is a person's threshold of detection? Does it vary with type of mold? Is a persistent rash/skin outbreak a symptom of exposure? I asked my doctor and she seemed to be clueless on IAQ/mold problems and effects. - John, New Jersey A. For most individuals the only sensory indication that mold is present is the odor associated with compounds produced by mold when they are growing. These compounds are usually referred to as MVOCs or microbial volatile organic compounds. MVOCs vary in their composition depending on the mold-type and the substrate (material) upon which they are growing. Some of the more commonly reported mold (there are also bacterial ones) MVOCs are 2-octene-3-ol, 1-octene-2-ol, 2-hexane, heptanone, and 3 -methyfuran. Most mold- produced MVOCs are alcohols or ketones. They are present in air in very low concentrations even in spaces that are heavily mold infested. Concentrations of individual MVOCs are likely to be in the few parts per billion (ppbv) range with combined concentrations in the 20-30 ppbv range. As you can see, humans must have a very low odor threshold to detect these substances and, of course, we do. As with all odors this threshold varies considerably from individual to individual. One of the scientific questions associated with MVOCs is whether exposure to them can cause health effects. Animal studies indicate that such exposures can cause sensory (mucous membrane) irritation but at much higher levels that are typical of mold-infested environments. On a personal level I experience strong sensory irritation of my nasal passages in heavily mold infested buildings even when I wear a respirator that filters out mold spores. That suggests that the sensory irritation is associated with exposure to gas-phase substances. Exposure to mold with some exceptions is unlikely to cause skin rashes. The exceptions include handling mold-infested materials or sitting on mold-infested soft furniture or bedding. Mold can get into bedding such as box springs, mattresses, sheets and pillows. Such infestations are not uncommon in houses with very high humidity levels. See our Mold Solutions Guide for products we recommend for mold prevention and cleanup |
I
am tempted to wax poetic as I start to write about 
For
those who, like Mary Jo, cannot bring themselves ever to even
consider an Eiderdown, there is Siberian down and we have
located a superb and true supply of this rare down. It is
the top of the ladder for goose down for lightness/warmth
ratio. If we had not compared them to the Eider duck, we would
have given these comforters the top of the class vote. In
fact, Richard and Laura, in our office fell in love with the
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