Tag Archives: Chronic Mold Exposure

Still Living In The Shadow of Hurricane Sandy? Mold Remains a Huge Problem in New York City

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Is Dampness and Mold A Reoccurring Problem for You?

Is Dampness and Mold A Reoccurring Problem for You?

Mold spores are always around, but they’re largely harmless until indoor conditions become excessively damp. Years after Hurricane Sandy, how are NYC public housing residents faring with Manhattan mold removal?

In the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

In 2012, Red Hook Housing in Brooklyn was one of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Four years post-storm, a survey of residents in 280 units found that 94 percent had experienced problems with mold, while 40 percent were still struggling with mold.

Unfortunately, mold has been a chronic problem in NYCHA properties. Prior to Hurricane Sandy, roughly 34 percent of Red Hook residents had complaints about mold. This situation is made even more urgent by the fact that nearly one-quarter of Red Hook public housing residents are asthmatic, a rate three times greater than the rest of the zip code.

Tenants Demand Action

Frustrated by lack of response from NYCHA, a tenant’s advocacy group filed a class action lawsuit against the organization in 2013. Terms of the settlement included timelines for addressing and completing repairs along with a 60-day window to follow up on results.

Both parties were back in court two years later over noncompliance with terms of the original suit. The court appointed an official overseer, but organizers for the tenant’s group are seeking a more proactive approach.

Manhattan Mold Removal for All Situations, Big or Small

Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection by our friendly and experienced technicians.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment, News

How Airborne Mold Spores Enter Your Body and Impact Your Health

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Here are the Tell-Tale Symptoms of Chronic Mold Exposure, be on the Lookout!

Here are the Tell-Tale Symptoms of Chronic Mold Exposure, be on the Lookout!

When it comes to mold removal in New York City, you don’t want to put it off for another day. Toxic mold is detrimental to your health and needs to be eliminated as soon as possible.

How Mold Enters the Body

Mold spores enter the body through breathing, ingestion, and through skin absorption. When spores and secondary metabolites (mycotoxins) are present, inhaling the mold gets spores into the lungs, sinuses, and respiratory system.

Ingestion can occur if mold residue filters down onto food being prepared on the counter of a basket of fresh fruit on the table. If the spores are airborne, they can enter the mouth.

If you have an open wound on your skin, mold can enter, and even if mold comes in contact with the skin, it can be absorbed.

Symptoms of Mold

One of the most prevalent symptoms is sinus problems that are often confused with an allergy attack. You may experience sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and an irritated or burning feeling in the throat.

The longer you allow your immune system to work at deflecting the symptoms, the more over-worked it becomes. This can lead to more serious fungal infections and respiratory issues such as an infection of the blood.

Mold removal in New York City is important and our trained staff at Stern Mold have the experience to get your property mold-free. Call today to schedule a free inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

Mold Adversely Affects Infants and Children – What Parents Should Know

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Mold Adversely Affects Infants and Children - What Parents Should Know

Mold Adversely Affects Infants and Children – What Parents Should Know

Many homes – over 50 percent – have been affected by water damage. Whether from a leaking roof, burst pipes, or a broken water heater, water has seeped in and left behind toxic mold, which can leave children not feeling well.

Toxic Mold Health Issues

Mold is a leading threat to children’s health around the world and presents itself in many ways. Just a few of the symptoms related to mold include:

– Flu-like symptoms

– Sore Throats

– Ear aches

– Coughing

– Painful joints

– Immune disorders

– Sinus infections

Steps to Take

One of the first steps to take is getting up-to-date on mold and the effects it may be having on your family. This is especially helpful if family members are sick and the doctor can’t seem to cure the problem.

Mold is often in hidden places like the basement, attic, crawl spaces, and behind drywall. Whether mold spores are present or not, schedule an inspection by a professional specializing in mold removal in New Jersey.

Once the home is inspected and a plan of action in place, you’ll be taking a positive step to help put family members on the road to recovery.

When you’re faced with a mold issue in your home, contact Stern for professional mold removal in New Jersey. Our experienced staff will provide a free inspection of your home and address your concerns quickly so everyone can breathe easier and enjoy better health.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News, NJ Mold Removal, NYC Mold Removal

NYC Mold Removal – Is Mold Abatement Mold Removal?

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What IS the Difference Between Mold Abatement and Mold Removal? Read On.

What IS the Difference Between Mold Abatement and Mold Removal? Read On.

If you’ve been researching ways to get rid of mold, you’ve probably come across several industry terms such as mold abatement and mold remediation. In practice, your NYC mold removal service should use a variety of tactics to kill mold, remove it from the property, and encapsulate it to prevent regrowth.

The Difference Between Mold Abatement and Mold Removal

People use the various terms for mold treatment interchangeably at times. Here’s how our NYC mold removal experts would define each one:

– Mold abatement refers to any complete solution that removes mold and/or prevents it from growing on surfaces and affecting air quality.

– Mold removal is the component of treatment that involves killing mold with antimicrobial solutions and safely removing it from the area without disturbing spores.

In other words, a complete and effective mold treatment involves more than just mold removal. Mold abatement might include encapsulating surfaces so dormant mold spores cannot grow back months or years later, as well as dehumidifiers to prevent a mold infestation from coming back.

You may also hear the phrase mold remediation, which is the old term for practices that were borrowed from lead and asbestos removal. Traditional mold remediation involves drastic measures of mold removal, such as tearing out drywall.

NYC Mold Removal for a More Permanent Solution

Do you want more than a band-aid solution for mold? Make sure to choose a mold removal company with a multi-pronged approach. Stern Mold uses advanced mold abatement methods including a polymer sealant to block mold growth instead of ripping out walls.

Contact us for a free inspection and get non-invasive, more affordable NYC mold removal with a guarantee.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News

What Symptoms Would I Experience from Chronic Mold Exposure?

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Here are the Tell-Tale Symptoms of Chronic Mold Exposure, be on the Lookout!

Here are the Tell-Tale Symptoms of Chronic Mold Exposure, be on the Lookout!

Mold-related illness is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms can be similar to those for other conditions. People may dismiss their running nose, irritated eyes, and fatigue as seasonal allergies or a cold, but chronic mold exposure can lead to serious health problems. Proper treatment for any mold illness requires eliminating the underlying mold problem. Know the facts about mold and your health to protect your family and employees.

Symptoms may vary based on the type of mold

There are many different types of mold. While black mold is the one commonly associated with illness, there are other types of mold that are potentially harmful. Mold breaks down biological materials like wood and paper. As this happens, the mold produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When you smell a musty odor in a building, you are smelling the VOCs. Some VOCs can be dangerous to building occupants.

Common symptoms of mold exposure

Since mold spores are tiny and travel undetected through the air, they are easily inhaled and can lead to ongoing sinus problems and respiratory issues. Also, contact with mold can cause a skin irritation called Sporotrichosis. Mold illness may manifest in different ways because the mycotoxins can cause an over-response by your body’s immune system. An overactive immune response results in many different symptoms.

Be proactive about mold and your health

If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms from mold exposure, contact a physician with knowledge and experience in mold illness. To quickly and effectively eliminate mold from your home or business, contact the experts at Stern Mold. The MoldExterm method is less costly than traditional remediation methods and includes a comprehensive guarantee.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, News