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Family Won a Settlement for Mold, Could This Be You?

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Seeking effective mold treatment for an infestation in your home goes far beyond preserving the condition of your property. A family in Southern California received a record $22.6 million settlement in response to claims that toxic mold caused brain damage in their newborn son.

Kellen Gorman was born during the time his family lived in their custom-built home in Manhattan Beach. His functioning was well below the standard for his age group, resulting in a need for round-the-clock care.

The Gormans claimed that Crenshaw Lumber Co., the principal defendant in the suit, improperly stored framing studs used in their home, leading to the development of mold. The suit named 16 other defendants, including a sheet metal company.

Crenshaw had several expert witnesses lined up to testify, but most of them were excluded by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Victoria G. Chaney after a defense attorney allegedly missed a deadline for designating witnesses and altered the paperwork in an attempted cover-up. The final settlement was reached the day after the judge’s decision, with Crenshaw paying more than half.

According to Raymond P. Boucher, president of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles, the total represents the largest amount ever recorded for a mold case involving a single-family home. Terms of the settlement did not include admissions of guilt from Crenshaw or any of the other defendants.

If you suspect the presence of mold in your home, don’t take any chances. Our eco-friendly mold treatment system effectively removes the infestation while preventing future recurrences. Contact Stern Mold today for your free home inspection and price quote.

 

Posted in Mold Identification, Mold Treatment, News

Is Your House Sick? Find Out Before You Get Sick Too!

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Natural disasters like the hurricanes and floods that have plagued the U.S. in recent years have left hundreds of thousands with homes that are uninhabitable and sometimes unfixable due to mold and fungus infestation. But you don’t have to suffer water damage of this magnitude for mold issues to develop.

Mold can grow anywhere moisture is present. Though you may never see or otherwise become aware of the presence of mold, it can nonetheless have a serious effect on your health.

An invisible menace
Outdoors, mold and fungus play an important role in the decomposition of organic matter. Indoors however, mold that has grown and reproduced behind walls, ceilings, floors, insulation, under carpets, and even in furniture and around appliances in overly moist environments can release invisible spores into the air, worsening the problem and affecting your health.

A formidable adversary
Mold spores can survive extreme variations in temperature and humidity, remaining dormant to survive dryness and cold until moisture and oxygen provide the fuel they need to grow and spread. Even the driest buildings house mold spores. In homes with indoor moisture problems, thousands of spores may contaminate each cubic foot of air.

Be wary of symptoms
Mold-related illness resemble allergies and present with:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Red, itchy eyes
  • Throat irritation
  • Cough
  • Asthma
  • Skin rash

The best offense…
Is a good defense. Though some molds found in homes can produce mycotoxins, most do not. In either case, however, your health may fall victim. Worried your home may be making you sick? Find out now. Identify molds and prevent their spread. Schedule your free mold and fungus inspection with Stern Mold today.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

Judge Steps in to Force Mold Repairs in NY Public Housing

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When federal Judge William H. Pauley found out New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) officials were not giving proper attention to mold treatment in public housing, he appointed a monitor to oversee the work and ensure the root cause of the mold is addressed. Judge Pauley said officials were jeopardizing the health and public welfare of NYCHA residents.

Mold is a widespread problem

Over 300 housing projects are known to have mold issues, many due to damage from Hurricane Sandy. Residents complained about the shoddy workmanship being done. They said workers were just scraping off visible mold and painting over the affected area. Judge Pauley’s decree should ensure the housing units receive proper mold treatment going forward.

NYCHA sued over mold

The National Center for Law and Economic Justice along with environment group The Natural Resources Defense Council filed a class-action suit against the city back in 2013.

Many occupants of NYCHA were experiencing health issues like asthma due to breathing mold spores. The Housing Authority quickly settled the suit and said it would complete needed repairs within 15 days of any work order.

Judge Pauley issued his ruling because officials were extending repair timelines and not providing proper mold treatment. Mold also came back in about 41 percent of the areas treated by the Housing Authority because workers were not eliminating the moisture source that was feeding mold colonies.

Landlords must take mold seriously

Mold can lead to serious health problems for some people. To protect your tenants’ health and yourself from lawsuits, choose Stern Mold for your mold treatment. We use the cost-effective MoldExterm method for thorough treatment with minimal downtime for you.

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

Could Mold be Causing Your Depression?

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Depression Linked to Mold

Depression Linked to Mold

Indoor mold infestations have long been linked to allergies and upper respiratory ailments such as wheezing, runny nose and chronic sinus infections. As if that wasn’t enough, researchers have discovered another reason to seek effective mold treatment. Their studies show a strong connection between mold and depression.

Studying the correlation between mold and depression

Ironically, Brown University epidemiologist Edmond Shenassa and his team originally set out to debunk reports from the United Kingdom indicating the likelihood of a link. What they found, according to Shenassa, was “a solid association” between depression and the presence of mold.

The basis of the study was a statistical analysis of data from a survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO). Interviewers questioned nearly 6,000 adults across eight European cities on a variety of topics regarding housing and health, including symptoms of depression. During the visit, interviewers also made a visual check for signs of mold.

Physical and mental effects of mold

Shenassa is quick to point out that the study is not conclusive proof, but demonstrates a strong enough connection that he and his team are conducting follow-up research. He adds that depression appears to be driven by mold-related physical problems along with a perceived lack of control over living conditions.

Don’t put yourself and your family at risk for the negative health effects of mold. Our non-toxic MoldExterm system provides safe and effective mold treatment with little or no disruption of your daily activities. Visit our website to learn more about why Stern Mold is the answer to your mold problems.

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

Flooded? Tips on Staying Safe When Returning Home to Check for Mold

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Flooding is the most common natural disaster throughout the world. According to the National Weather Service, flash floods and river floods caused more than $2.5 billion in property damages across the U.S. in 2014. Thirty-eight people were killed and numerous families were displaced from their homes temporarily.

When people did return to their residences, they found insects, rodents, and nasty mud inside. Water contains contaminants that encourage mold and fungus growth. The risk of mold inside your home is increased after a flood. Here are some tips from the Red Cross for staying safe when you return home after a flood.

Basic safety procedures

Be sure officials have declared the area safe. It is best to leave children and pets with someone else when you make your initial visit. You should bring proper ID to verify your address. The utilities may be down. Bring some bottled water, non-perishable food, and hand cleaning gel.

Document damages

Inspect the exterior of your home. Look for damage to power lines. If there is significant roof damage or cracks in the walls or foundation, it may not be safe to enter the building. If you smell natural gas, contact the fire department and leave the area immediately.

Have a camera to document everything. As you enter, open doors and windows to allow the house to air out. Snakes and other animals may be inside your home. Use a stick to poke through any piles of debris.

Clean up

Food items will begin to spoil quickly. Remove unsafe food any damp upholstered furniture. Call the experts at Stern Mold for a free inspection and treatment of mold and fungus.

 

 

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Tips, News
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