Whereas; people of all ages throughout the world have developed Toxic Injury, illnesses, and disabilities from toxic exposures; and
Whereas; Toxic Injury is often characterized by medical intolerance to very small amounts of air pollutants, petrochemicals, mold and other toxins found in homes, schools, work places, or everyday products and environment. It can be caused by acute or chronic exposure to one or more chemicals, pesticides, and solvents; and
Whereas; Toxic Injury may include multitude, often disabling illnesses and can be life threatening; and
Whereas; Toxic Injury is a chronic debilitating condition causing serious financial, employment, learning, housing, health, social, and other consequences; and
Whereas; the prevalence of these illnesses and the lack of knowledge and qualified doctors clearly warrant further education in this field for the public in general, future as well as practicing doctors, dentists, rescue personnel as well as other health care, social service, rehabilitation, housing, architects, HVAC designers and installers, building maintenance and cleaning personnel, school and employer/supervisory persons at schools, work places and public facilities and pest control personnel. "Applied Knowledge is Power", and that Power can save precious lives; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2010 as
Whereas; Toxic Injury is often characterized by medical intolerance to very small amounts of air pollutants, petrochemicals, mold and other toxins found in homes, schools, work places, or everyday products and environment. It can be caused by acute or chronic exposure to one or more chemicals, pesticides, and solvents; and
Whereas; Toxic Injury may include multitude, often disabling illnesses and can be life threatening; and
Whereas; Toxic Injury is a chronic debilitating condition causing serious financial, employment, learning, housing, health, social, and other consequences; and
Whereas; the prevalence of these illnesses and the lack of knowledge and qualified doctors clearly warrant further education in this field for the public in general, future as well as practicing doctors, dentists, rescue personnel as well as other health care, social service, rehabilitation, housing, architects, HVAC designers and installers, building maintenance and cleaning personnel, school and employer/supervisory persons at schools, work places and public facilities and pest control personnel. "Applied Knowledge is Power", and that Power can save precious lives; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2010 as
TOXIC INJURY AWARENESS AND EDUCATION MONTH
To read all 25 proclamations, see the "MCS" Beacon Of Hope Foundation's toxic injury website.
16 comments:
Amen!
I hope you can help: a missionary friend of mine serving in Hong Kong returned after a 5 month furlough to her apartment last Monday to find water damage from the apartment above her and accompanying growing mold. I don't know the extent or any more details. People here in the states are recommending she use (buy?) an "ozone blaster". Do you have a specific comment on this remediation? I have followed your story and cannot find unbiased discussion on using ozone. Thanks in advance! Bless you for your help to so many; Karen
Karen,
I asked Dr. Jack Thrasher, leading toxicologist in this field, his thoughts on the ozone blasting.
Here are his comments:
"Ozone is not effective. It will kill the surface mold, but will not remove the contaminants. It will not kill the hidden mold.
Appropriate remediation is removal of the contamination making sure the contaminated areas are sealed off."
I understand how difficult it is to find unbiased information. You are a good friend to help her with this decision. I'll be happy to help in any way I can.
Andrea
Thanks for your comment about the ozone blasting. I have spoken with another missionary that says that after fixing the leak, it is common practice to scrap the affected paint on the ceiling and the wall, be sure all is dry and then seal it. Finally repaint.
That sounds like what Dr.Thrasher is recommending.
I figure that I will use a white vinegar and water solution to clean off books and dry them for 30min in sunshine (once we see sun again) and wipe out the wooden cabinets with clorox and water solution.
Does this seem like it will work.
I have been wearing N95 face mask, but am still sleeping in the apartment. There doesn't seem to be any government provision for measuring levels of mold in air here in HK. Any other tests that could be done?
Would you suggest sleeping temporarily somewhere else?
Linda
Linda,
I would strongly suggest you sleep someplace else until you figure all of this out. I have a friend who was exposed for two weeks in a mold environment and is still struggling several years later. It is potentially a very dangerous situation. Far better to rule out serious issues before sleeping there.
I would suggest an ERMI test to determine the type of mold that is present. This can be done by purchasing your own equipment for 150 dollars (and then paying lab fees) or hiring a hygienist. See my notes under "where do I begin?"
I am sorry there are no standards for this. The burden lies on you unfortunately to protect yourself.
Bleach will not kill the toxins produced by mold. Hydrogen peroxide is more effective.
Again, you can not lose to be cautious at this point. Please don't hesitate to ask any further questions, Linda.
Andrea
andrea@chrisfabry.com
Thanks for answering my questions. Am unfamiliar with the ERMI test, but have read some about it. I haven't a rug, wonder what a good alternative would be for the 'sample'.
Thank you also for the urging to move out at least temporarily. This I can do and will today.
Linda,
I asked Dr. Thrasher for you. Here is what he said about the dust sample.
"If they do not have a carpet they should collect dust from surfaces that normally collect dust, e.g. top of kitchen cabinets and other areas where they do not dust. The back grate off of the refrigerator is another area where dust accumulates and people do not clean."
So glad to hear you are relocating until you have more information!
Andrea
It is so good to leave the moldy area and ALL your moldy things for now, and test later.
Here is the link for ERMI testing with EMLab P&K. they are a reputable lab. It will explain all about it.
http://www.emlab.com/s/services/ERMI_testing.html
Other labs also do this testing, probably for a little less $. Just google ERMI testing, or ARMI testing. (There is also an ARMI test, which is less expensive, as it tests for fewer molds - some indoor water damage molds).
You need a vaccuum cleaner with a hose and an ERMI test kit. You get the small test kit. You take the sample (the lab can assist with how, where, and for how long to sample) You ship it to the lab, and get results back via mail. You can ask also for email and phone results. The labs are usually helpful in answering questions, but you have to ask.
There are two ways to do this test. One is to vaccuum the exact way the instructions say. You will vaccuum two areas - one under the couch and the other under your bed. You will measure the area and vaccuum for an exact number of minutes. This will mean you can compare your results to other homes, and get a relative moldiness index for your home.
But maybe you are not concerned with your home, if you are leaving anyway. And maybe there some mold you want identified - in your car or workplace or basement, for example. You may want to know what species of mold you have been exposed to - (Was it stachybotris of aspergillis, for example.)
If so, the second way to do this ERMI test is to simply vaccuum dust for a certain time in those moldy areas. Keep the dust from falling out of the collection device as you move to a different area. Or better yet, get two collection devices, and do two tests.
There are only so many mold species that the ERMI can identify however. It is a DNA test for only about 35 molds. It will tell you exactly how many mold spores you have - of those 35 species. You can have a bunch of other molds species, but it will not identify those. Chances are, if you have mold, you will have several types of mold, and hopefully one of them will be one the ERMI can identify.
It cannot rule out that you have no mold - so it is good to do several types of testing if you are able to. Maybe a culture, or an air test, etc, in addition to the ERMI. Again, the lab can help, or perhaps talk with an industrial hygenist.
With the ERMI amd ARMI, the expense is in the lab work, not the collection device. If you don't have the $ to test now, for under $10.00 you can purchase an ERMI dust collector kit. Collect the dry dust sample, but don't send it in yet. Keep it yourself or send it to the lab to be tested later. They will keep it for so long, unless you ask them to hold it longer. You can have it tested later when you have the money to test, or are interested in the results.
Maribeth
(I am just a novice mold tester!)
johnmaribeth@yahoo.com
Hi Andrea ... 2 weeks later and I've learned alot about Hong Kong and mold. I hear horror stories from US and hear it is normal from those I know in HK ... even a chemist with the government said just to clean up with bleach and not spend money on a test. I don't know what to think.
I've not been successful in moving. Expensive beyound belief and owners are less than transparent about mold, as this Spring has been more humid that anything anyone remembers in the last 10 yrs. The Lord has protected me from signing one lease so far.
I realize that the only way I can know the condition of an aptment is to personally see that all walls are sealed and painted, have all AC's factory cleaned, remove all wall paper, and remove all unnecessary papers and clutter so that a strict cleaning regimen can be kept.
My current landlord, who will have the upstairs apartment inspected next week (their leak is the source of my mold) is prepared to do all these things. I have agreed to wait at least until the inspection to decide whether I am moving. I have been sleeping elsewhere for 3 weeks now and would hopefully be able to move back into the flat at the end of June.
My things would stay here, wrapped in plastic??? I don't have a feel for how safe that is, but space is not easily available in Hong Kong.
I have been pitching and sorting here during the days for 3-4 hr a day and using hydrogen peroxide on the cabinets and as a solution to wipe things off as I pack them in plastic boxes. I have alternated between open windows on sunny days and AC on rainy days and nights with a dehumidifier running constantly.
My nose twitches little here...unlike nearly every flat I looked at over these last weeks.
What comments would you have about my plan?
It has been suggested that I purchase the test to have the aptment evaluated after the renovations and make my decision to stay or not stay based on the result. This is a good idea, but if the flat failed to pass the test, I am unsure of my next course of action could be.
I certainly agree that moving back in without a solid clearance test would be unwise. Mold hides. A test is the only way to see if the mold is gone. Sounds like you're doing the best you can with your situation. Sometimes you don't know your next step until you need to know.
Your level of awareness and knowledge has grown significantly. This will work in your favor I promise.
There are all sorts of things you can do to improve your air quality in general such as diffusing tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, etc. Ventilation is huge so you are wise to do that when you can.
I do encourage you to be very cautious when it comes to books, and other porous items. (See the May 31 post)
Again, you're doing great.
Andrea
andrea@chrisfabry.com
diffusing tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract, etc.
could you explain more how to use these (uncertain about the method of diffusing)and maybe give me some idea of 'etc.'? It may be tricky finding these things in HK but I will try.
Thanks so much for your practical help.
Linda
Linda,
You can find diffusers on Amazon. I like the DoTerra brand. GSE and Tea Tree oil are pretty easy to find. Again, this does not "solve" a mold problem, it just improves the air quality by dispersing anti-fungals into the air. I hope this helps!
Andrea
Hello Andrea , I have only started to learn all that I need to know about mold. Before moving back to flat:
1. ERMI test ... will order in the next couple of days
2. Developing a long term cleaning plan ... I am wondering if there is anything I can do about the hardwood floors (sealed with polyurithene) and the wooden cabinets. I am thnking hydrogen peroxide on the cabinets and air them out ... routine treatment for a month or 2 before I put anything in them. The floor stumps me. Should I do the same?
(I have had someone suggest using a steamer to really clean the nooks and crannies ... but I wonder about the moisture. What do you think.)
2. I plan to purchase 2 HEPA filters (one for bedroom and one for living room) in 450 sq ft will this be enough? to keep the air clean should it pass the ERMI test.
3. I have seen Dr. Shoemaker's web page and am thinking about his vison test ... will try to find out about this in the next week or two.
4. I've already made significant changes in diet, but will keep adding to this.
I really appreciate your info on the blog and thank you for sharing what the Lord has shown you as you and your family walk through your mold experience.
Linda
Hmmm not sure about the floors either. I still like white vinegar and baking soda mixed together as well as hydrogen peroxide. You can also try a recipe of tea tree oil mixed with a water/white vinegar mixture in a spray bottle.
We have an Austin air purifier. You're right that it needs to be HEPA...two should work for that amount of square feet. If it's a nice model you might only need one.
You want the ERMI test done with the air "as is".
Let me know if you take the VCS test!
Not sure about the nooks and crannies. Perhaps a HEPA vacuum with hose.
You're doing great Linda!
Andrea
Have taken the VCS test and score indicates no problem. Very low score. I am relieved.
The importance of preventing the growth of mold in your home cannot be overstated. In addition to its unsightly appearance and unpleasant musty odor, mold is also a potential health hazard.
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