Category Archives: Mold & Your Health

Why is Breathing In Mold Spores Bad for You?

Are Mold Spores in the Air of Your Home?

Are Mold Spores in the Air of Your Home?

“Out of sight, out of mind” definitely doesn’t apply to mold spores. Our Manhattan mold removal team explains why you should be concerned about these microscopic particles floating around unseen.

Mold Spores: The Invisible Enemy

While they’re invisible to the naked eye, mold spores and construction dust are always present in the air. They may seem harmless, but the World Health Organization found enough reason to establish guidelines for indoor air quality.

Health Risks of Exposure to Mold Spores

Studies have shown a connection between exposure to dust and mold spores and ailments that affect both physical and mental health.

• Respiratory issues are the most common reaction to mold spores. People report chronic sneezing, coughing and other upper respiratory symptoms, even if they haven’t suffered from allergies in the past. More serious illnesses include aspergillosis, an infection that can cause fungus balls to develop in the lungs.

• Digestive issues are usually associated with eating moldy food, but mold spores have been known to trigger nausea, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. In some cases, the immune system response may alter metabolism, actually leading to weight gain.

Sadness and depression may not be directly caused by mold spores, but these conditions are often experienced by people dealing with a serious mold problem.

Call Stern Mold for Prompt and Effective Manhattan Mold Removal

Our MoldExterm program eliminates mold while addressing the conditions that cause mold to develop. Contact us to schedule a free inspection by our Manhattan mold removal experts.

Why Is Getting Rid of Mold Spores So Important?

Mold Spores and Your Health

Mold Spores and Your Health

You may recognize the visual signs of a mold infestation, but what about the part you can’t see? Here’s a look at why mold spores are an important factor in NYC mold removal.

How Mold Growth Develops

Mold spores are less than half the width of a human hair. As a result, even though you’re constantly surrounded by mold spores, you’re rarely aware of them.

In most cases, mold spores drift harmlessly around us. Problems arise when spores land on a surface where moisture is present. The spores begin generating hyphae, which are filaments that absorb nutrients, allowing the mold to establish a foothold.

Dangers of Mold Spores

Once a mold colony develops, the concentration of spores can lead to health problems. As the spores are ingested through breathing, over time they will lead to irritation of the respiratory system. Even people without existing allergies can experience symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes.

Since it’s not possible to completely eliminate mold spores, the answer lies in controlling conditions that favor mold growth. This means treating the source of the excess moisture, whether it’s leaky pipes or high humidity.

DIY methods of mold removal often serve only to further disperse mold spores. Professional NYC mold removal experts have the equipment and know-how to effectively eliminate all traces.

State-of-the-Art NYC Mold Removal

Our proprietary MoldExterm program is an eco-friendly, non-intrusive way to remove mold and prevent it from returning. Contact Stern Mold to learn more.

Most Frequent Causes of Mold and What to Do About It

What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

What Should You Do To Prevent Mold From Growing In Your Home

A vital element in NYC mold removal is determining the cause of the infestation. Water is essential to mold growth, so the problem almost always involves excess moisture. Here are the three most common causes of mold in NYC apartments.

1. Exterior Leaks

Plumbing in your apartment may be fine, but broken pipes or overflows in neighboring units may not be immediately evident. In the meantime, moisture seeps into your apartment, triggering mold growth. Plastic water supply lines to sinks and toilets, which are more often found in newer buildings, are the most frequent culprit.

2. Blocked PTACs

Packaged terminal air conditioners, or PTACs, are all-in-one units that control heating and cooling in many apartments and condominiums. Landlords, who are responsible for maintenance of PTACs in rental properties, often don’t know they require twice-yearly servicing.

If PTAC filters aren’t replaced often enough, dust collects in the drain of the condensate pan. As a result, overflow from the pan leaks onto the floor below, but at such a slow rate that it goes undiscovered for a long time.

3. Broken Washing Machine Hose

Stainless-steel-wrapped washing machine hoses are sturdy and relatively inexpensive. Unfortunately, in many cases rubber washing machine hoses, which have a tendency to break, are used instead.

NYC Mold Removal for Apartments and Condominiums

In multi-family residential buildings, mold infestations can have a ripple effect. Contact Stern Mold for a free mold inspection and consultation with our professional NYC mold removal technicians.

What to Do If You Alert Your Landlord To Mold, and They Do Nothing

Mold Litigation in 2020 - Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Mold Litigation in 2020 – Is Suing Worth the Trouble?

Your apartment needs Manhattan mold removal. After numerous reports to management, no action is taken. Are you forced to suffer in silence? As a paying tenant, you have available options.

Why Is Manhattan Mold Removal Necessary?

Indoor mold and mold spores can cause a number of upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and wheezing. Even people with no previous history of allergies can experience these symptoms after prolonged exposure. Anyone with an underlying respiratory ailment or weakened immune system is particularly vulnerable.

Whether or not you’re presenting with symptoms, mold is a documented health risk. Pulmonologist Sonali Bose, assistant professor at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine, ranks mold as a hygenic problem on a par with a cockroach infestation.

When Landlords Fail to Act

Mold is not always visible, causing many landlords to dismiss complaints. But property owners are bound by legal requirements to maintain apartments free of health and safety risks.

Your first course of action should be to write a letter or email to management detailing the problem, including leaky pipes or any conditions that may have caused the mold. Insist on Manhattan mold removal, not a simple paint-over.

If the landlord still doesn’t respond, you could withhold rent, but that strategy carries risks that could impact your ability to rent in the future. Save this as an absolute last resort.

Turn to Stern Mold for Effective Removal and Prevention

Our proprietary MoldExterm program is non-intrusive, cost-effective and eco-friendly. Contact us for more information.

Burger King’s Moldy Burger Highlights Mold Issues

Could Mold be at the Root of Your Strange Symptoms?

Could Mold be at the Root of Your Strange Symptoms?

A picture of a mold-ridden burger seems like an odd way to promote a restaurant. But in a move that’s somewhat counterintuitive to NYC mold removal, Burger King is using this method to sell the virtues of their iconic Whopper.

Fresh Tastes Better

In mid-February, Burger King rolled out a new 45-second commercial that opens with an appetizing picture of their signature burger. Time-lapse photography then documents the sandwich deteriorating into a lumpy, moldy mess over a period of 34 days, as Dinah Washington’s “What a Difference a Day Makes” plays in the background.

So what’s the point? Burger King is showcasing their move to eliminate artificial preservatives, colors and flavors from the Whopper. The plan is currently operational at more than 400 Burger King restaurants in the U.S., with the goal to include all locations in the country by the end of 2020.

Behind the Curve?

When it comes to removing artificial ingredients from fast food, Burger King is actually playing catch-up. Two of their main competitors, McDonald’s and Taco Bell, announced over the last two years they would be stripping artificial flavors, colors and preservatives from some or all of their menu items.

Health experts point out that not all additives are unsafe. They say features such as salt and sugar content, as well as calories, should be the main concern.

Need NYC Mold Removal? Call Stern Mold

Mold in your home is always unacceptable. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

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