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Is Mold Causing Your Sinus Infection?

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Let Us Rid Your Home or Office of Mold!

Let Us Rid Your Home or Office of Mold!

Do you have sinus problems that you’ve come to accept as a chronic condition? Mold allergies can masquerade as a sinus infection or other upper-respiratory ailment, leading people to treat the symptoms rather than the source.

Mold and Your Health: The Hidden Connection

Many people believe that interior mold is merely a cosmetic issue, but according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all types of mold present a potential health risk. Variables such as age, overall health, and length of exposure determine the severity of your reaction.

Mold doesn’t have to be visually evident to pose a danger. Microscopic mold spores are constantly floating in the air, both indoors and outdoors. Studies have found that something as benign as a Christmas tree can trigger a mold problem.

Healthcare Doesn’t Always Have the Answer

Symptoms of mold exposure can fool even experienced healthcare professionals. In the 1990s, the results of a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic strongly suggested that the majority of chronic sinusitis cases are caused by exposure to mold and fungi.

Unfortunately, most doctors continue to treat sinus infections with antibiotics. While these drugs are effective against bacteria, they’re useless in fighting mold. Be proactive with your healthcare and don’t be afraid to raise the possibility of mold with your physician.

Get Peace of Mind with Mold Treatment by Stern Mold

Our professionally trained technicians have been successfully removing mold in NYC and northern NJ for more than 20 years. Visit our website to learn more about mold and your health and find out how our eco-friendly MoldExterm process is a safe, cost-effective solution for both homes and businesses.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment

Mold – OSHA’s Recognition of the Hazard

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Feeling Under the Weather? Mold May be the Cause.

Feeling Under the Weather? Mold May be the Cause.

It’s possible that you’ve dealt with mold in your home, so you know what a hazard it can be. However, when there’s mold in the workplace, there seems to be an entirely different set of problems. Historically, some employers have not been very quick in dealing with mold problems, which can cause serious health issues for workers. The good news is that this is changing because of the fact that OSHA is recognizing what a serious hazard mold really is.

Why is Mold So Dangerous?

Warm and moist conditions provide the perfect atmosphere for mold growth. The result is a potentially serious health hazard that requires immediate attention. Mold can result in:

• Nasal stuffiness

• Irritations to the eyes

• Allergic reactions

• Wheezing

• The onset of asthma attacks

OSHA recently released a document detailing the hazards and dangers of mold, so if it’s affecting your workplace then something needs to be done quickly.

Treating Mold Problems the Right Way

Preventative measures can and should be taken to keep mold problems at bay. However, this isn’t always the case. Oftentimes, once mold is discovered, the problem is already out of hand, and it simply cannot be dealt with properly without professional intervention.

There’s a common misconception that in order to properly treat mold, the walls need to be ripped out and new walls put in. This isn’t necessary in most cases. By using the right type of treatment, mold can be eradicated and prevented from reoccurring.

Have you discovered mold in the workplace? If so, Stern Mold can help. Contact us today and we’ll remedy your problem in as little as one day.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment

How to Get Mold Out of Your Kids’ Stuffed Animals

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Mold Isn't Just In Old Buildings, Find Out if You're Safe Before It's Too Late.

Kill Mold Spores

While mold can be bad for anyone’s health, it’s particularly dangerous for young children. Stuffed toys made with organic materials such as cotton and wool can form a breeding ground for mold, especially if your child chews on them.

Don’t take chances with your child’s health. Use these mold tips to sanitize any stuffed toys that may be harboring fungal growth.

Removing Mold from Stuffed Animals

1. Wash the stuffed animal in the machine or by hand, using the hottest water possible along with a detergent containing color-safe bleach. The combination of heat and bleach helps to kill mold spores.

2. Vinegar is another substance that kills mold spores and also removes the musty odor. Try:

• Adding one-half to one cup of vinegar to the wash cycle.

• If you prefer, pour one cup of vinegar directly into the wash water before adding the stuffed animal. The water will dilute the vinegar, allowing it to lighten the fabric evenly instead of leaving bleached areas.

3. Moisture is the key ingredient for mold growth, so wring out the stuffed animal thoroughly and use a towel to blot.

4. Hang the stuffed animal outdoors in the sunlight, which will serve to destroy any remaining mold. If there are still signs of mold after a full day in the sun, spray the animal with a mix of one part water to one part vinegar and hang it out for a second day.

Stern Mold: Serving NYC and Northern NJ

We have been providing effective mold removal service for more than 20 years. Visit our website for more helpful mold tips and schedule a free mold inspection.

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Remediation, Mold Treatment, News

How is Mold Different Than Fungus?

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Not The Fungus You Want

The Difference

When it comes to mold and fungus, it’s common to hear these terms used interchangeably. Although mold and fungus do have similarities, they’re not quite the same. It’s important to understand the differences between these two, so you can make sure your property is effectively treated for a mold or fungus problem.

Classification and Appearance

Mold is classified as a fungus, and fungus belongs to a separate classification group that does not include bacteria, animals or plants. Fungus comes in a wide range of colors and appearances, and the same applies to mold. Mold spores are too small to see on their own, but they take on a visible appearance when they grow in clumps or groups. These spores can end up having a black, slimy appearance or a fuzzy orange or brown appearance. Mold can also be white, yellow or several other colors.

Types of Mold and Fungus

More than 200,000 species of fungus exist, including mold and lichen. Fungus can change appearance and even develop features associated with different types when it is exposed to certain moisture levels and weather conditions. There are more than 100,000 species of mold in our environment. Some of these can cause allergic reactions, while others can make people with weakened immune systems ill. Certain types of mold can cause serious illness.

Whether you have mold or another type of fungus, it’s crucial to have it take care of as soon as possible to reduce health risks.

If you think you have mold, contact Stern Mold to schedule a free inspection. We can determine if you have a mold problem and take steps to get rid of it.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, News

Mold Outbreak Death Lawsuit in Pennsylvania Settled for Over $1 Million

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Mold Isn't Just In Old Buildings, Find Out if You're Safe Before It's Too Late.

Mold Isn’t Just In Old Buildings, Find Out if You’re Safe Before It’s Too Late.

Do you believe that interior mold and fungus is found only in old, dirty buildings? The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) recently settled the second lawsuit to arise as the result of a mold outbreak dating back to 2014.

A Disturbing Pattern

Shelby Slagle, a 27-year-old woman from Groveport, OH, had a heart transplant at UPMC, but died in June 2015. This past September, the hospital paid $1.35 million to settle a lawsuit filed by Slagle’s widower.

This judgment came shortly after another lawsuit that settled for the same amount in May 2016. The family of 47-year-old Tracy Fischer of Erie, PA, filed suit following Fischer’s death in October 2014 after developing a fungal infection.

During the period between 2014 and July 2016, three other UPMC transplant patients died as a result of mold infections. All five spent time in a “negative pressure”‘ room, prompting a federal investigation of these cases.

Could These Deaths Have Been Prevented?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), negative pressure rooms are intended to house patients who have a pre-existing infection. The ventilation system is designed to pull outside air into the room, reducing the possibility of infections spreading throughout the hospital but increasing the chance of infections in transplant patients who are taking drugs to suppress their immune systems.

Protect Your Family with Expert Mold Treatment from Stern Mold

When it comes to mold treatment, there is no wait-and-see period. Visit our website to learn more about our proprietary MoldExterm process that safely removes mold and leaves a barrier preventing future infestations.

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Tips, News
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