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Cellulose or Cellulove? What Mold Really Loves

Posted on March 4, 2020 by back_up

What You Need to Know About Mold in Your Building

Mold is a common sight on rotting tree trunks, so how does it show up in your bathroom? Our Manhattan mold removal experts explain the conditions leading to mold growth and how you can prevent it.

How Does Mold Develop?

Microscopic mold spores surround us constantly, indoors and outdoors. For the most part, these airborne particles are harmless. Problems arise when spores begin to reproduce and colonize surfaces inside a home or building.

Mold spores settle harmlessly unless they come in contact with moisture, which is the key to growth. Drywall, cardboard, wood and other cellulose materials are preferred surfaces for mold, although it can also grow in upholstery, carpeting and fabrics.

Types of Mold

Penicillium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus are the most common forms of mold overall, while Alternia is the most common indoor mold. Extended exposure to all four types can cause allergic symptoms, even in people who haven’t previously been subject to allergies.

Stachybotrys chartarum is often referred to as black mold or toxic mold. This type of mold emits mycotoxins that can trigger a range of health problems, from headaches and nosebleeds to muscle aches and memory loss.

Experts recommend maintaining indoor humidity levels below 60 percent to discourage mold growth. During cold weather months, it’s important to keep the house warm to prevent condensation, which can lead to mold.

Trust Stern Mold for Effective Manhattan Mold Removal

Our two-step MoldExterm program thoroughly removes existing growth and prevents future infestations. Contact us for a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Information, News

Five Fast Facts About Mold: Identification, Risks, and Remediation

Posted on February 17, 2020 by back_up

Here are Five Facts to Help Equip You to Deal with Mold

Mold and its effects have been topics in a wide range of articles and reports. How do you wade through all that information to find the important details? Our NYC mold removal experts share five facts you should know about mold identification, health risks and remediation.

Five Fast Facts About Mold

1. Mold comes in a variety of colors, including gray, black, green and yellow. It may appear furry, slimy or powdery and frequently has a musty smell.

2. Water is key to mold growth, so infestations are likely to be found in damp, humid places. Mold tends to develop on the surface of materials such as paper, fabric, sheetrock and wood.

3. Exposure to mold can trigger sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing and other upper respiratory symptoms, even in people who have not previously suffered from allergies. Individuals with pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

4. While mold-to-skin contact can cause irritation, most problems arise from inhaling airborne mold spores.

5. Be proactive about mold prevention by repairing leaky pipes, drying flooded areas and reducing humidity levels. Small patches of mold can be cleaned with commercial products, but seek professional help when extensive NYC mold removal is required.

Experienced NYC Mold Removal by Stern Mold

Our technicians are trained in the use of our proprietary two-step MoldExterm program, which safely eliminates mold and prevents its return. MoldExterm remediation is non-invasive and usually completed within one day. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Information, News

Think Twice Before Going To These Hospitals Being Treated For Mold This Year

Posted on February 12, 2020 by back_up

Mold Can Appear In Health Institutions

Mold is an equal-opportunity invader with no respect for the type of building or people using it. Problems at these five hospitals illustrate why Manhattan mold removal is necessary for any affected building, residential or commercial.

5 Hospitals with Mold-Related Issues

1. In December 2018, 53 employees working on the maternity floor at Staten Island University Hospital became sickened by a moldy odor. Environmental testing revealed moderate levels of mold in the air that was traced back to mold behind a sink wall.

2. A faulty ice machine that failed to drain properly led to mold in a nutrition room at Petaluma Valley Hospital in California. For safety purposes, the hospital temporarily shut down its labor and delivery unit for several months.

3. When mold was found in a surgical instrument sterilization room last fall, Los Angeles County’s USC Medical Center had to take the drastic step of suspending elective surgeries and other procedures for a two-week period.

4. Seattle Children’s Hospital has been battling a mold problem in its ventilation system dating back to 2001. With 14 infections and six deaths believed to be caused by Aspergillus mold, the situation has triggered numerous lawsuits.

5. Air testing at Children’s Medical Center Dallas in December 2019 revealed abnormally high levels of Aspergillus and Penicillium molds. The hospital ultimately relocated surgeries and moved 28 cardiac intensive care patients.

Stern Mold: Experts in Manhattan Mold Removal

Our MoldExterm program is safe and effective for any type of building. Contact us for more information.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, News

Asbestos, Mold, and Fumes Create A Hazardous Work Environment for Fire Fighters

Posted on February 10, 2020 by back_up

Asbestos, Mold, and Fumes Create A Hazardous Work Environment for Fire Fighters

Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect the public in dangerous situations. But how do firefighters deal with mold and other hazardous conditions in their own stations? Here’s a look at the importance of NYC mold removal in the workplace.

When a Fire Station Is “Sick”

Gary Michael Horsley Jr. is a firefighter in Birmingham, AL. In December 2019, Horsley filed a federal complaint stating that asbestos, mold and toxic fumes in the city’s Fire Station 27 created a health risk for firefighters and visitors.

Built in 1956, the station underwent an assessment by an environmental services company in June 2019. At the time, Fire Station 27 was temporarily closed and firefighters were relocated.

While asbestos was found in some of the building materials, testing indicated the indoor air quality “was not significantly affected” by its presence. Based on the final report, crews replaced damaged floor and ceiling tiles in the station and the city announced plans to schedule future cleanings.

Did the City Do Enough?

Despite the city’s actions, Horsley’s lawsuit says concerns haven’t been adequately addressed and Fire Station 27 remains “a hazard to the health” of firefighters and visitors. The building was declared safe late last year, but so far Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin hasn’t officially responded to the complaint.

Residential and Commercial NYC Mold Removal from Stern Mold

Our MoldExterm program provides safe and effective NYC mold removal in homes and commercial buildings. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Treatment, News

New York City Housing Authority To Spend $50 Million In The Fight Against Mold

Posted on February 5, 2020 by back_up

New York City Housing Authority To Spend $50 Million In The Fight Against Mold

How much is good health worth? The New York City Housing Authority is spending $50 million on a Manhattan mold removal project to correct a problem that has long plagued city-run apartment complexes.

Cleaning “Sick” Buildings

NYCHA residents have struggled with mold-related issues for at least 10 years. Lack of maintenance of air vents in the apartment buildings has been a significant cause. Incredibly, over a 60-year period, most of the vents have gone without cleaning except for occasional complaint-driven occurrences.

In 2013, after a community group sued the city on behalf of asthma sufferers living in the apartment buildings, a federal judge was appointed to oversee mold cleanup efforts. The current project includes scrubbing ventilation ducts and replacing faulty belt-driven roof fans with belt-free direct-drive fans.

What’s Next?

Keeping ventilation systems clean is only one step in controlling mold growth. Dampness from flooding and leaky pipes creates ideal conditions for mold spores to multiply. Unfortunately, this type of damage often happens in out-of-the-way areas where mold can grow unseen.

Repairing water damage is also on the horizon for the cleanup initiative. The NYCHA has earmarked $156 million in their budget for pipe work over the next five years.

Stern Mold: Your First Choice for Effective Manhattan Mold Removal

When it comes to Manhattan mold removal, out of sight doesn’t mean out of mind. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your home is free of mold infestations. Contact us for a free mold inspection by our professionally trained technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, MoldExterm, News

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