Category Archives: Mold Treatment

Could Mold be Causing Your Depression?

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.

Gleason Family Loses Home and Health Due to Mold

What are the top priorities for most people? The health of their loved ones and keeping a roof over their heads. Dave Gleason saw both of those things come under attack by an aggressive and toxic mold. Complete destruction of the house Mr. Gleason built for his family at 535 Gleason Drive in Moosic is the only option for the structure. He and his family are struggling to recover physically and financially. What compounds this already devastating situation further is that Mr. Gleason’s homeowners insurance does not cover toxic mold treatment.

Mr. Gleason said, “We’ve lost everything. We’re basically starting over. And since we’ve been researching it, we’ve found we’re not alone.”

Physical effects are difficult to diagnose

Dave Gleason experienced flu-like symptoms, chronic fatigue, asthma, kidney problems, and short-term memory loss. Leslie Gleason, his wife, frequently has a bloody nose and skin rashes. The same problems as his oldest daughter Laura. His youngest daughter Lacie has difficulty concentrating and ongoing flu-like symptoms. His son Derek struggles with the same respiratory problems as Mr. Gleason.

While most molds and the accompanying spores do not cause health problems for otherwise healthy people, any mold exposure is problematic for people suffering from allergies, asthma, or a weakened immune system. Mold like that found in the Gleason home causes serious health problems including neurological damage and a complete loss of short-term memory.

Don’t take chances with your family’s health and risk losing the home you have worked so hard to provide. Call the experts at Stern Mold for more information about the cost-effective MoldExterm process of mold treatment before it spreads to more areas of your home.

Could Mold Have Caused the Death of Brittany Murphy?

Could Mold Have Caused This Death?

Could Mold Have Caused This Death?

The sudden December 2009 death of Brittany Murphy, a vivacious, seemingly healthy 32-year-old actress, shocked and saddened Hollywood. When her 39-year-old husband Simon Monjack died the following May, the mystery deepened. A lawsuit filed by Murphy’s mother blamed toxic mold and lack of mold treatment as the likely culprit behind the deaths of her daughter and son-in-law.

In June 2003, Brittany and mother Sharon Murphy purchased the five-bedroom home of singer Britney Spears for $3.85 million. The two women lived there until they were joined by Monjack, who moved in after his 2007 marriage to Brittany. A 2006 lawsuit against the home’s builders alleged a number of construction defects, including the presence of toxic mold. Shortly before Monjack’s death, the parties reached an out-of-court settlement for $600,000.

Curiously, autopsy reports named pneumonia as a primary cause in the deaths of both Brittany and her husband. Pneumonia and other upper respiratory ailments are well-known reactions to the presence of toxic mold. In December 2011, Brittany’s mother filed a lawsuit against the law firm that provided representation in the earlier suit. Sharon Murphy claimed the attorneys failed to inform her that acceptance of the settlement voided the possibility of a wrongful death suit.

Ed Winter, assistant chief coroner of Los Angeles County, denied finding evidence of mold in either autopsy. While the second lawsuit was dropped in 2013, Sharon still believes that toxic mold was the probable cause of death.

Prompt mold treatment protects your family from physical ailments and other negative effects. Visit our website to learn more about Stern Mold and our safe, thorough and cost-effective MoldExterm process.

 

The Mold Issue in College Dorms

College is a time for young people to experience independence and begin adapting to life on their own. Along with the perks of being surrounded by fun-loving people their own age and having an unlimited supply of pizza readily available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, that college dorm can house some some health hazards. Recent studies indicate that mold is literally a growing problem in college dorms. The problem requires many schools to relocate students while mold treatment takes place and can cause a wide range of health problems for students.

Why is mold a problem for college dorms?

With class schedules and social activities, college students stay busy. They do not always devote adequate time to housekeeping tasks like cleaning up spills and cleaning the bathroom. Another thing about these bathrooms, they are often in older buildings that do not have sufficient ventilation. Several students using the same facilities for hot showers increases the humidity present around the clock.

What should students do if they find mold?

They should notify the environmental services for the college immediately. Depending on the severity of the mold problem, they may need to request a move to another dorm temporarily. Proper identification and mold treatment should be left to professionals. According to the EPA, mold spores in the air can cause skin irritation, headaches, itchy eyes, sore throat, and breathing difficulty for many people. Students should see a doctor right away for any mold-related health problems.

Stern Mold has been serving New York City, New Jersey, and Long Island since 1995. We use the most advanced methods like MoldExterm. Contact us for a free inspection.

Not All Mold is Bad Mold

Mold is a scary word for home owners; for good reason. It causes eye irritation, difficulty breathing, and skin irritation for many people. The CDC reports that exposure to mold spores can cause respiratory illness for otherwise healthy children. Mold can be extremely hazardous for individuals with a compromised immune system, seniors and infants. Proper mold treatment mitigates these risks by eliminating the mold and creating an environment that is not conducive to future mold growth. In addition to this dangerous and problematic mold, there are some molds that are helpful to mankind.

The good molds?

Let’s be clear about one thing: Any mold growing on the interior walls of your home is bad mold. Analysis by a knowledgeable professional can determine if it is a toxic mold, and thorough mold treatment is needed to protect your family. But, mold is used in positive ways in controlled environments. Penicillin comes from the Penicillium fungi and is used to treat many infections. Mold has been used in wine making to improve texture. And cheese-makers use specially cultured molds to produce many high-quality cheeses.

Rather than say there are some good molds and some bad molds, it is more accurate to say that some molds are utilized in controlled environments for useful purposes. The mold that occurs due to moisture problems never has a positive use.

You should call the experts at Stern Mold for thorough mold eradication and to ensure it does not come back. We have been serving the mold treatment needs of New York City, New Jersey, and Long Island for more than twenty years. Call us today for a free mold inspection.

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