Tag Archives: Toxic Mold

What Molds Are Considered Toxic?

Posted on by
Poor Air Quality Due to Mold Could Be Affecting Your Health

Poor Air Quality Due to Mold Could Be Affecting Your Health

“Toxic” is a term commonly applied to a number of diverse things ranging from chemicals to relationships. So what does the word mean when it’s used in reference to mold? Please allow our NYC mold removal experts to separate facts from fiction.

Is Toxic Mold Really Toxic?

In a word, no. Toxicity actually lies in chemicals called mycotoxins that are produced and released by mold. Different mold species may produce one or more varieties of mycotoxins, but the chemicals have no intrinsic value to mold’s reproductive process so scientists are still unclear as to their purpose.

Are “Toxic Mold” and “Black Mold” the Same?

Black mold does produce mycotoxins, but the term is a shorthand name for a specific type of mold called Stachybotrys chartarum. Aspergillus and other forms of toxic mold can appear in colors such as gray, gold and yellow- or blue-green.

Is Toxic Mold a Health Hazard?

“Toxic” is sometimes interpreted as “fatal,” and while exposure to mycotoxins almost never rises to a deadly level, it can adversely affect health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists upper-respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and coughing as possible results from mycotoxin exposure, even in people who have not previously suffered from allergies.

People with asthma, compromised immune systems and similar pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable to mycotoxins, as are young children and the elderly.

Stern Mold: The Top NYC Mold Removal Professionals

Toxic or not, indoor mold infestations should be treated immediately. Contact Stern Mold for more information.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

Don’t Be Fooled, Bathroom Mold Can Be Dangerous

Posted on by
Don't Be Fooled, Bathroom Mold Can Be Dangerous

Don’t Be Fooled, Bathroom Mold Can Be Dangerous

The bathroom is one of the most logical places for mold to grow. But people often ignore it for a long period of time. As your Manhattan mold removal specialists, we see lots of cases like these. The fact is that some types of mold can be dangerous, and some aren’t. But how do you know the difference?

Identifying Mold That May be Safe

When you’re cleaning your bathroom, you may come across mold that could be safe. There are several types that will easily wipe away, and then it doesn’t grow back. If that is what you find, there may be nothing to worry about. Still, you might want to consider having a professional check the area to make sure you don’t have any leaky pipes that could turn it into a more serious problem.

Toxic Mold

There may be places in your bathroom that have mold, and you’re not even aware of them. Mold in these places can often go undetected because they’re not always visual to the naked eye. Also, if you try to clean mold and it grows back or starts to spread, that’s a sign of a more serious problem. It’s well worth having Manhattan mold removal experts check it out and give you their expert opinion.

Manhattan Mold Removal at Your Service

You need to be certain that any mold in your home is not a hazard to your health. That’s why we’re here to help.

At Stern Mold, we offer free inspections, so contact us today!

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, Mold Tips, Mold Treatment, News

Mold Sensitization Creates Additional Health Problems

Posted on by
Don't Put Yourself at Risk, Get the Solutions You Deserve!

Mold Sensitization

Exposure to toxic mold can cause serious health problems, but did you know it can also create a domino effect that makes you sensitive to some of the foods in your diet? Major allergic symptoms can reoccur after only a brief exposure to one of these substances.

When Food Becomes “Toxic”

Some foods have the potential to become mycotoxic due to possible mold contamination. In their book MOLD: The War Within, Kurt and Lee Ann Billings shared a list of food products that should be avoided if you have mold sensitivities.

Here are a few of the items that were included:

• Alcohol itself is a mycotoxin that comes from brewer’s yeast, and alcoholic beverages may contain other mycotoxins from fruits and grains.

• A 1993 study of peanuts found an astounding 24 types of fungi on the outside of the peanuts post-sterilization. Aflatoxin, a substance often found on peanuts, is a known cause of cancer.

• Mold is a component of many varieties of cheese. Some types, such as Gouda, incorporate yogurt-type cultures rather than fungus, making them a better option.

With some products, such as soy sauce, mold is involved in the production but isn’t listed in the ingredients, so you should become educated beyond food labels.

Reduce the Risk of Allergic Reactions with NYC Mold Treatment

Take control of your environment and make it as mold-free as possible. Stern Mold uses a proprietary NYC mold treatment system called MoldExterm that removes all traces of infestation and finishes with a polymer sealer to prevent future reoccurrence.

Contact us today to schedule a free mold inspection by our friendly and professionally-trained technicians.

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

Mold and Your Health Connection: Toxic Mold and Depression

Posted on by
Have You Been Experiencing Upper Respiratory Symptoms?

Mold and Depression

It seems that hardly a week can go by without a story concerning toxic mold discovered in homes or schools and other public buildings. While you may be aware of mold as an allergic health threat, did you know that a link has been discovered between toxic mold and depression?

Tracking the Connection Between Toxic Mold and Depression

Over a period of time, a number of studies conducted in the United Kingdom demonstrated an association between mold and depression. A research team headed up by Edmond Shenassa, an epidemiologist from Brown University, decided to challenge this conclusion by conducting their own test.

To their surprise, the team discovered that the results of their study, which were published in 2007 in The American Journal of Public Health, actually supported the earlier findings. Participants included more than 6,000 European adults, and research revealed evidence of a clear link between interior mold and residents exhibiting symptoms of depression.

“Good” and “Bad” Mold

Mold and mold spores are present everywhere, and they play an important role in nature by aiding in decomposition of organic matter such as dead leaves and tree trunks. Problems arise from indoor development of mold containing mycotoxins, which are known to cause allergies and illness in humans and animals.

Contact Stern Mold for Effective and Eco-Friendly NYC Mold Treatment

Don’t wait until you and your family begin showing symptoms of mold exposure. Our professionally-trained technicians use our proprietary MoldExterm system to provide non-invasive NYC mold treatment that includes a polymer sealer to guard against future infestations. Visit our website to learn more and schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Information, News