New Mold Chapter and Post-Traumatic Stress

One of our mold specialists is a psychologist who has worked with numerous trauma victims. He contends the mold population is the most traumatized of all. The lack of understanding in the medical community, the isolation from family and friends, the financial devastation, the loss of health, loss of possessions, and people not understanding the depth of trauma all contribute to a horrifying anguish that takes years to resolve and can be triggered at any moment.

When our mold remediation company began work on Monday morning, our family’s trauma reared its ugly head. Every bone in my body went weak as I listened to the sound of plastic and tape, trash bags, and dehumidifying machines.

“Mom, you have that look on your face that you did in our Colorado house,” one of my kids said.

I felt disoriented, paralyzed, unable to cope. One of our adult children walked into the kitchen with the same look. “It’s so eerie,” she said.

I’ve read that 9/11 survivors' trauma is triggered when they hear trucks rumbling around the streets, unusual sounds coming from the air vents in the office, or thunder.

I understand.

It doesn’t matter that my kids’ noses aren’t bleeding profusely. It doesn't matter that we’re not running to the emergency room with another migraine, and no one is in a wheelchair. It doesn't matter that my brain isn't fogged like it was in the months leading up to our abandonment of the home.

My traumatized mind can’t distinguish between the past and the present.

Today is better and it's all a little clearer.

A microbial bomb went off in our home two years ago. We had no choice but to flee.

This time we’re dealing with a hand grenade.

This time Chris and I find ourselves on the same page. No need for me to try to convince him something is wrong. He knows.

This time we know not to disturb the mold until it is properly treated.

This time we know what type of company to call AND which type not to call.

This time I don't need to spend hours researching, trying to figure out if stachybotrys is truly dangerous.

Because it's so different this time, I think the odds are a little better than 50/50 that we'll stay in this house. These are tough odds, really. I can't imagine starting over. Again.

The good news is that, in the end, the odds are 100% in our favor. I'm confident that there's a bigger story to all of this. A better one. An eternal story which promises that all things work together for good.

So we wait and see. We'll deal with the trauma of the past as it floods back. We'll look for the truth about the present as we learn it. And, like Niebuhr said: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

New Mold Chapter

Our mold recovery journey took an unexpected twist last week when we discovered mold in one of our bathrooms.

Last week we noticed minor water damage along the baseboard near the shower. The damage appeared minimal. Chris scratched the surface of the drywall. He saw something black and proceeded to contain the area with plastic and duct tape until we decided on a course of action.

Mold grew within two days and multiplied quickly. Enough for us to take immediate action. We called a hygienist who performed a tape lift on the area.

He concurred with us. The spot was small, contained, and unlikely to be stachybotrys.

We got the news Friday that the mold growing in our bathroom is indeed stachybotrys. Stachy, of course, is the Green Goblin of mold and our family's most feared enemy.

A remediation company came to inspect the area and with the use of Thermal Imaging assured us this spot is likely contained and fixable. We checked for hidden moisture in other bathrooms and found a similar spot. Here's a picture of this spot. Both are similar in size. Both stem from water leakage around the shower curtain.

Friday was a dark day at our house. We felt defeated and traumatized. Stachybotrys in our home. Do we run to a hotel? Do we invest in this rented home to remediate it safely and thoroughly? Ignoring the problem is not an option.

As we talked it through, something rose up inside of me. A deep sense that running away would be succumbing to our fear and trauma. Chris agreed. Our children agreed. One by one we each expressed a desire to push through and try to fix the home.

And so we begin remediation this morning. The first bathroom will be contained and negative air flow will be established. We're going to extend the tile another foot, so that even if the remediation proves unsuccessful for our health, we'll leave the home safer for those who will follow.

We've entertained the possibility that we've cross-contaminated the stachybotrys and we're investing in a sinking ship... just like our Colorado home. While unlikely, given the fact that we've not seen any serious health regressions in the last month, it's still possible.

While this would be devastating, it wouldn't be the end. We've released our possessions once. We can do it again. Letting go of the home would be tough, but not impossible.

More than ever I know that any home, rented or owned, is temporary and vulnerable. My sights are set on something permanent and incorruptible.

I'll keep that in mind this week when 11 of us are sharing two bathrooms.

Global Indoor Health Network

Global Indoor Health Network is a newly-formed group of scientists, physicians, researchers, building engineers, indoor air quality experts, industrial hygienists, attorneys, teachers, injured workers, advocates, and others.

Global Indoor Health Network was previously named ACHEMMIC (Action Committee on the Health Effects of Mold, Microbes and Indoor Contaminants) and will continue the goal of raising awareness on the issue of indoor air quality.

Global Indoor Health Network's Vision is as follows:

Our vision is a global community of individuals and organizations working together to ensure that comprehensive information and guidance concerning medical treatment, investigative techniques and solutions are available to address the effects of contaminants in the indoor environment of homes, schools and businesses.

Global Indoor Health Network's Mission is as follows:

Our mission is to proactively participate with others in the public and private sector to promote accurate health policy, strive for consistent standards, and advance education and awareness to ensure healthy indoor environments for individuals and families around the globe.

Global Indoor Health Network's home page states:

The people who have been harmed by contaminants inside our homes, schools and businesses come from all walks of life around the globe. They are white collar workers, blue collar workers, retirees, veterans, teachers, business owners, homeowners, tenants, children, parents and grandparents. They live in owned, mortgaged and rented houses or apartments--large and small, new and old. They are affluent, poor and middle class. They are able-bodied taxpayers and disabled citizens. They are the insured and uninsured by health, workers compensation and property casualty insurance companies. They depend on integrity in medical science within teaching facilities and within the courts to protect their health and safety and the health and safety of their families. They represent the melting pot of citizens around the world.

For more information on joining Global Indoor Health Network, click here.

CDC's Fragrance-Free Policy

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now following a fragrance-free policy as part of its "Indoor Environmental Quality Policy." This clearly sets the stage for other public institutions to follow suit.

The policy has been instituted in all of the CDC's offices, affecting more than 15,000 employees nationwide. According to this article appearing in the American Chronicle,

The goal of the policy is to promote and protect the health and well-being of CDC personnel, contractors, and visitors; to prevent work-related injury and illness, as well as harm and pollution of the environment; and to insure compliance with all applicable state, local, and federal regulations.

The policy contains extensive guidelines, which are quite significant for people suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), such as providing notices at least 5 working day in advance to the occupants, in case of renovation, demolition projects, and maintenance and operation activities conducted in Government-owned facilities as well as in leased facilities, and to schedule the work, if feasible, for non-duty hours, such as weekends, off hours, as in CDC's own words, "This will allow individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, or people with chemical sensitivities that could be aggravated by construction activities, to make alternate arrangements to work away from the site."

It says in the CDC policy that pest management for lawn and building care will emphasize non-chemical management strategies, that Integrated Pest Management practices must be used, and if pesticides are really needed, then only the least-toxic chemical controls would be used, and that the pest control products used in and around a building must be documented and that the MSDS will be made available upon request for building occupants.

In regard to the housekeeping guidelines, the following is stated:

"CDC will ensure that products used in the workplace, such as soaps, cleaning products, paints, etc., are safe and odor-free or emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the fullest extent feasible. Only green cleaning products shall be specified and used within CDC facilities and leased spaces unless otherwise approved by the Office of Health and Safety."

It is also mentioned in the CDC policy to vacuum frequently and thoroughly using vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and that if carpets must be cleaned, that steam or least toxic, non-petroleum based, fragrance-free all-purpose cleaner or carpet cleaner will be used.

In regard to the buildings' occupants, the CDC has a fragrance-free policy and a list of non-permissible products as stated by CDC:

"Scented or fragranced products are prohibited at all times in all interior space owned, rented, or leased by CDC. This includes the use of:

• Incense, candles, or reed diffusers
• Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind
• Wall-mounted devices, similar to fragrance-emitting devices, that operate automatically or by pushing a button to dispense deodorizers or disinfectants
• Potpourri
• Plug-in or spray air fresheners
• Urinal or toilet blocks
• Other fragranced deodorizer/re-odorizer products

Personal care products (e.g. colognes, perfumes, essential oils, scented skin and hair products) should not be applied at or near actual workstations, restrooms, or anywhere in CDC owned or leased buildings.

In addition, CDC encourages employees to be as fragrance-free as possible when they arrive in the workplace. Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines. Employees should avoid scented detergents and fabric softeners on clothes worn to the office. Many fragrance-free personal care and laundry products are easily available and provide safer alternatives."

Grainless Spaghetti and Meatballs

As we continue our dietary journey, we are having fun experimenting with vegetables in all forms. This week we had spaghetti and meatballs along with kale cole slaw. The kids loved it!

The zucchini noodles were made with this vegetable slicer. A vegetable peeler can be used as well.

Cover a pan with oil and lightly cook for several minutes. (I use Virgin Red Palm Oil because it retains its nutrients at a high temperature.)

Our sauce was made from fresh blanched tomatoes, roasted eggplant, and organic strained tomatoes from Bionaturae. These are organic whole tomatoes in glass containers with nothing added. (I obtain mine from Azure Standard or Amazon.)

The meatballs were made from organic 100% grass-fed beef, chia gel, onions, and green peppers. (Our meat supply comes from the local Farmers' Market as well as Slanker's Grass-Fed Meats.)

The kale cole slaw was adapted from this recipe.

It took three of us to pull this off, but it was worth every ounce of energy!

Renters' Options

It's a common scenario. A tenant discovers water damage and suffers health implications. The tenant is locked into a rental agreement and the landlord is unwilling to take the issue of mold seriously. What are the tenant's options?

According to the article How to Get Out of the Lease for a Flea-Bitten, Water-Damaged Apartment on the Rented Spaces website, there is hope. The article addresses the concern of a woman who signed a lease on an apartment, then discovered a flea infestation and a new water leak just before she moved in. She says, "Needless to say, I didn't move in. I did, however, take pictures. I have pictures from the time I went to look at the place to show my husband, so I have proof that it was not in such awful shape when I signed. Can I recoup any of my losses? Ideally, all of them? What do I do?"

The columnist offers this answer by Gary Dunn, a real estate lawyer in Garden City, NY:

"She should be able to recoup all of her losses and void the lease on two grounds; constructive eviction and breach of warranty of habitability," he explains.

He suggests you call your landlord or building manager and let them know that you no longer want to rent the apartment based on the condition in which you found it. If this is refused, Dunn suggests you let them know you will take further action. "Report the condition of the unit to the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Health," he says. "If that does not change their minds, I would call 311. They will take a report and immediately refer the matter to the HPD."

In the end, if you are still unable to get your money back, you will have to take this matter to small claims court.

The columnist goes on to say,

The good news here, and there is good news, is that you had the foresight to take those pictures. Therefore, you have proof. The truth is often backed up by proof -- but even more importantly, courts are very big fans of it.

This is a great lesson for anyone signing leases and handing over money to relative strangers. Make sure you document as much of your move as possible, from hunting for your apartment to locking the door for the first time at the end of a long move-in. Then save those pictures for that future date when you move out again.

After all, you never know what you'll have to do to get that security deposit back!

We became renters after we vacated our home two years ago. We became seriously ill after moving into one home due to a chemical treatment for termites. The landlord allowed us to leave. With our next two homes, we included a mold clause in our rental agreement. The clause states that in the event we experience health issues due to the environment of the home, we are free to leave. Thus far we have not needed to utilize this clause.

As awareness grows, so too will the options for renters living in damp, hazardous conditions.

Oozing Mold May Have Sickened SC Magistrate

A mold issue has arisen in a magistrate's office in Columbia, South Carolina. According to the following news story published two weeks ago,

Gooey, green-black mold in air vents and on furniture in a Columbia area magistrate’s office may have sent the judge and some staff members to the hospital over the past few years.

A report obtained Monday by The State on the mold — which prompted Friday’s closure of the Dentsville magistrate’s office — cited “ongoing medical problems” with the staff of Magistrate Phil Newsom, noting some had “strokes, allergies, rashes,” and “several staff members have had to be carried out by ambulance.”

That report, given to Richland County officials late last week, prompted the evacuation from the building at 2500 Decker Blvd. A county spokeswoman said Monday the magistrate’s office will move downtown temporarily, to the central magistrates’ court building on Huger Street.

Newsom confirmed the report’s findings Monday and said he was one of the people sickened and taken to the hospital by ambulance. “I have had three employees, including myself, who have gone to the hospital in the last two years by ambulance,” Newsom said.

Monday afternoon, county officials including Newsom met with the building’s owners and agreed to “remediation” — meaning owners will hire someone to clean up the mold and remove any potential threats.

Building co-owners Bill Theus and Walter Taylor immediately will address “air distribution problems” and then, “out of an abundance of caution, hire a remediation company to clean the space.”

Theus said the county’s report indicated there was more mold outside the magistrate’s office than inside the offices.

The large building the magistrate’s offices are in has a half-dozen or more tenants, Theus said, each with its own heating and air conditioning system. There have been no additional reports of mold so far from those tenants.

After getting complaints recently from Newsom several weeks ago, the county hired a mold-testing company that analyzed the problem at Newsom’s office, a county spokeswoman said. That cost some $3,000.

After evaluating the report, county officials removed Newsom and his staff. That meant court sessions, which attract hundreds of cases weekly, would be canceled. According to the report, mold deposits in the offices occupied by Newsom and his staff were “very significant.” Inspectors found large amounts of mold in the air and on air vents.

“The building had a noticeable musty smell,” inspectors noted in an initial inspection dated Aug. 20. Later, meters found the humidity in the building was 92 percent — perfect conditions for spawning the microscopic mold spores.

. . . Newsom said people in his office had suspected mold problems for a long time.“We’ve had people with illnesses, constant chest, sinus, throat irritations,” he said.

In June, the ceiling began leaking badly, Newsom said. A maintenance worker who checked out the leak told the staff there was a mold problem. It was discovered that mold “covered the wall behind where my desk sits,” he said.

“Little black stuff that was on my mouse pad was actually mold,” Newsom said.

The article discusses a controversy between council members and the magistrate:

Richland County council member Jim Manning, who attended a meeting Monday afternoon that included building owners, county officials and magistrates, said the county may have overreacted in having the magistrate’s staff vacate the premises, along with all records.

The offices just might need a quick cleaning, Manning said. Still, Manning said given the potential harm posed by mold, “If we had to err, it’s better to err on the side of caution.”

Newsom said, “You can be sure of one thing — if we are going to stay here, it’s got to be fixed.”

To view the entire article, click here.

For an update on the remediation of the building, click here.

Rhassoul Clay

Altering our lifestyle to integrate non-toxic products has been a slow process. It took at least a year to incorporate fragrance-free and chemical-free items into all areas of life, including laundry, kitchen, and personal hygiene. It's been trial-and-error with grooming products. When our reactivity was at its height, I found baking soda to be quite comprehensive. From bathing to shampoo, to laundry, to toothpaste, baking soda is cheap and effective. But recently I discovered another intriguing option for hair and skin treatment.

Rhassoul clay is completely natural and beneficial to the skin. It makes a wonderful detoxifying mask. It's also been used for centuries to cleanse the hair. I've been experimenting with it lately and I have to say it feels a bit strange to forego the shampoo and use clay only. However, I love the feeling on my scalp! A UK provider of rhassoul clay, Sheabutter Cottage, offers this explanation of the product:

Rhassoul is an exquisite spa quality mineral-rich clay from Morocco. It's quite different from other cleansing clays, being exceptionally gentle and beneficial even for dry hair and sensitive skin and scalp conditions. Lavaerde, is a mineral rich clay which was deposited in the sea millions of years ago. The source of this unique clay is to be found deep beneath the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

The word rhassoul or ghassoul derives from an Arabic phrase meaning, 'to become washed.' Lavaerde has Latin and Germanic roots and means 'cleansing earth' - from the Latin lavare, (to cleanse or wash) and the German 'erde' (earth or soil).

Throughout Northern Africa, Rhassoul has been used for many centuries to cleanse the hair and skin and was a favoured commodity of the camel caravan trade from the Sahara to India. Records tell us that rhassoul was highly prized by the nobility of ancient Egypt and Rome.

In modern day Morocco rhassoul continues to have cultural significance, being an essential part of a traditional bride's dowry. Even the King of Morocco maintains a private seam of rhassoul for the Court's own needs.

Its extraordinary ability to absorb water and form a gel-like consistency makes rhassoul more effective than other clays for cleansing skin and hair and enhancing the hair's texture and volume. Indeed, if you dream of big hair, rhassoul may well please you!

Rhassoul contains high levels of skin-healing silica, potassium and magnesium. Clinical studies have been conducted by two research laboratories in the USA (International Research Services Inc. and Structure Probe Inc.) to evaluate the effects on the skin of using rhassoul clay masks.

Even a single application of rhassoul results in measurable improvement to the skin:
• Reduces dryness (79%)
• Reduces flakiness (41%)
• Improves skin clarity (68%)
• Improves skin elasticity/firmness (24%)
• Improves skin texture (106%)

This silky brown clay has the following main advantages:
• Completely non-irritating to skin and scalp
• Cleans skin and hair without removing all of its protective sebum
• Removes surface oil and oil from inside and around comedones (blackheads and whiteheads)
• Leaves hair soft and shiny and enhances its volume
• Gradually reduces the need for frequent hair washing
• Removes dandruff and eases problems of excessively oily hair

When it comes to hair care, rhassoul is perfectly natural and uncomplicated. It's simply head and shoulders above the rest!

Options for purchase in the United States include From Nature With Love and Mountain Rose Herbs.

Building Mold Dispute

The following news story makes me think of the Department of Motor Vehicles building we talked about recently on this blog. The issue here is a Social Security Administration office in Rapid City, South Dakota. According to the Rapid City Journal,

An air quality study of the building at 605 Main St., conducted after second-floor employees there expressed health concerns, found evidence of mold in the basement and frayed fiberglass insulation in the air ducts.

Workers from the Social Security Administration office in the building say their managers have not taken their concerns seriously. They have written a letter they plan to send to the state's Congressional delegation seeking help.

"Throughout the past two months the employees of the Rapid City Social Security office have voiced major concerns regarding the air quality in our building due to the chronic symptoms that arise when entering the building and dissipate upon leaving work," the letter says.

The employees say they are concerned for their own health and for the health of the approximately 130 clients who come into their office daily.

The study does not reach a conclusion about the cause of the workers' symptoms, however, saying "minimal air movement" between the basement and the Social Security Administration office via stairwells and an elevator shaft "indicated that the basement was not the most probable source of the symptoms," the report said. "The presence of the mold cannot be eliminated as a source of the complaints based on these observations, however."

Nine of 20 Social Security employees discussed health symptoms with the Federal Occupational Health office during the office's July 15 inspection, according to the report dated Aug. 3. Of those, six reported itchy, watery or dry eyes, seven reported sneezing and six reported nasal or sinus congestion. In their letter to the elected officials, the employees say the symptoms are so severe some have had to use personal sick leave.

The letter continues: "It is extremely disheartening that this letter and these steps have to be taken. However, the concerns of the employees are obviously not reciprocated by SSA management, as they persistently do nothing, providing no plans or updates, and continue to knowingly and negligently endanger the health of all employees and public clients."

For more on this story, click here.

Chemical-Free Laundry Option

We've started using a non-toxic laundry detergent that is 100% chemical-free. We've done fine with the fragrance-free/non-toxic options like 7th Generation, so I didn't feel pressed to try anything different. But when I read about a nut that transforms into laundry detergent, I just had to try it!

Soap nuts have been around for centuries. According to the website Green Virgin Products, "Soap Nuts are the fruit of the Chinese Soap Berry Tree. These amazing berries are harvested and then dried in the sun. No chemicals of any kind are added to our soap nuts. Laundry detergent with heavy chemicals is replaced with something all natural and totally organic. The soap nut contains a natural soap called saponin. Saponin has cleaning abilities equal to toxic chemical detergents. Soap Nuts are extremely hypo-allergenic and can be used by people who are allergic to all other detergents. They are completely green and don't pollute our planet. Soap Nuts go by many names, such as soap berries, wash berries, wash nuts, Ritha, Reetha, Aritha, Dodan, Doadni, Doda, Kanma, Thali."

Here is a picture of the nuts stirred in some water. They really do lather!

A small muslin drawstring bag comes with the nuts. You simply put 5 or so nuts in the bag and put in the washing machine. Remove the bag before switching to the dryer. I have to say our laundry is as clean as ever! I still add white vinegar and baking soda for added anti-fungal properties, but evidently the soap nuts have anti-fungal properties of their own.

Each set of 5 nuts can last through 6 or so cycles, so the soap nuts are economical, too!

Katrina Health Concerns

Mold has played a significant role in the rise of respiratory illness in the city of New Orleans in the five years since the Katrina tragedy. According to Fox News and Robert Chugden, medical director for emergency services at West Jefferson Medical Center:

Chugden. . . saw an initial increase in respiratory illnesses, which he attributed to significantly higher mold and mold spore counts in the flooded areas. An ongoing study of children with asthma in post-Katrina New Orleans has found that nearly 80 percent — three times the national rate — were sensitive to mold. The next highest rate was 50 percent, found in seven other cities where similar studies have been conducted.

“The mold spore count went up quite high in New Orleans and was able to sensitize kids who would not have been sensitized under normal conditions,” said Dr. Floyd Malveaux, executive director of Merck Childhood Asthma Network (MCAN) and former dean of the College of Medicine at Howard University.

MCAN partnered with the National Institutes of Health to launch a program addressing childhood asthma in post-Katrina New Orleans, which began in 2007 and concluded last September. The program involved 184 children recruited from schools in New Orleans, pairing them with case managers to help them manage their asthma, who would also make home visits to identify risk factors and environmental triggers – such as mold – which can exacerbate a child’s asthma.

Children who participated reported fewer days of symptoms and emergency room visits to manage their chronic condition.

On Thursday, MCAN pledged $2 million to Xavier University in New Orleans to resume a second phase of the case management and environmental mitigation program over four years.

“We have heard a lot about how Katrina changed the city of New Orleans, but very little about how the city’s post-Katrina environment changed health outcomes,” Malveaux said. “There is an undeniable connection between the environment and the health of children with asthma.”

Further health implications involve the elevated levels of poisonous chemicals:

A recent study published in a special issue of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry found elevated concentrations of lead, arsenic and other toxic chemicals were present throughout New Orleans, particularly in the poorer areas of the city. It suggested that widespread cleanup efforts and demolition had stirred up airborne toxins known to cause adverse health effects.

A team of researchers led by Dr. George Cobb from Texas Tech University sampled 128 sites throughout New Orleans and combined their findings with data gathered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"Our evaluation of contaminants in New Orleans was critical in determining whether storm surges and resultant flooding altered chemical concentrations or distribution," concluded Cobb. "Our results show how long-term human health consequences in New Orleans are difficult to attribute to chemical deposition or redistribution by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, yet reveal how chemical contamination is a historical problem for old cites in the U.S. Our results and the data from coastal ecosystems reveal the value of long-term monitoring programs to establish baseline concentrations and distributions of contaminants in the environment."

The levels of lead found in the samples taken by Cobb and his team exceeded the threshold for safety in the United States. Lead exposure has been linked to brain and nervous system damage, developmental delays and hearing impairment in children. In adults, it has been linked to reproductive issues, miscarriage and birth defects, nerve damage, cognitive impairment, high blood pressure, joint pain and digestive issues.

The results of the study also suggested that floodwaters carried toxic sediment containing arsenic to other areas of the city where they were deposited in the soil.

More research is needed as to the long-term effects of the hurricane on the people of New Orleans.

To read the entire article, click here.