From the Seattle Times:
The purpose of the bathroom fan is to ventilate the moisture normally generated by bathing or showering. When moisture is directed to a cool, closed attic, it will condensate back to a liquid and soak the wood framing and insulating materials. Mold and decay is a major concern in damp attics.
Normally, the bathroom vent fan is located near an outside wall of the home where the bottom of the roof system is closer to the attic floor. The fan will direct all the moisture to one spot on the roof's sheathing where a dark stain of decay or mold is often found. When an attic has loose-fill insulation, the airflow from the fan will create a void in the insulation, leaving a bare spot on the attic side of the bathroom ceiling. The non-insulated spot is now cooler than the remainder of the ceiling, and condensation naturally forms in the cooler areas. An unvented fan can cause as much damage as an unattended roof leak.
The kitchen fan is intended to remove odors and moisture from the kitchen, and it also needs to be vented to the exterior of the home. In modern homes, the kitchen vent fan is located in a hood above the gas or electric range. Over the years, grease and oils will accumulate inside the fan hood, which becomes a major fire hazard. If the fan is vented to the attic, a cooking fire can soon spread to the entire attic through the vent for the hood.
A range fan must vent through approved metal pipe all the way to the exterior of the home. Whether vertical through the roof or horizontal through a wall or foundation, the range fan must vent to the outside.
- Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. View more of his articles at the Seattle Times.
If your home is not vented and you would like to know how the lack of proper ventilation has effected your home's air quality... Turtle Clan Environment Testing follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for testing indoor environments with mold contamination.
Their Level I Environment Site Investigation provides standardized procedures to be used in the evaluation and characterization of suspected mold colonization.
These activities include:
-Non-invasive preliminary site investigation
-Temperature and humidity analysis
-Identify visible and accessible conditions
-Recommendations for further evaluation/action
Level II Environment Site Analysis involves Level I investigation plus a visual, non-invasive inspection of the residential structure with sample collection and data interpretation to rule out sources of moisture and/or mold contamination.
These activities include:
-Sampling suspected areas of mold colonization
-Interpretation of the laboratory analysis
-Present reports supported by analytical data
-Mold assessment for real estate transactions and insurance investigations
This tells you how much mold have and what kind it is. We take samples either by swabs, tape, or bulk to identify surface mold and air samples. How much is in the air? Are you breathing it? Since mold is naturally occurring everywhere in nature, all homes and businesses have some mold. An outside air sample is used as a base for comparison.
For comprehensive, cost-effective answers contact us today at 914-361-9703 or turtleclanmold@aol.com.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Mold and House Damage
Mold damages your home as it grows. When mold starts to reproduce inside a home, it can eat away at the structure.
Clean it up as soon as possible.
In small areas you can do it yourself:
1. Wear goggles, gloves, and breathing protection while working in the area. For large consolidated areas of mold growth, you should wear an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved particle mask.
2. Seal off area from the rest of your home. Cover heat registers or ventilation ducts/grills. Open a window before you start to clean up.
3. Remove all your furnishings to a mold-free area. Clean the surrounding moldy area then follow cleaning directions below for the items you removed and the new space.
4. Bag all moldy materials and tie off the top of the bag. Bring them outdoors and place in your garbage container right away.
5. Wash surfaces.
5a. First, wash with a mild detergent solution, such as laundry detergent and warm water. Allow to dry.
5b. Then wipe with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water. Wait 20 minutes and repeat. Wait another 20 minutes.
5c. Last, apply a borate-based detergent solution and don't rinse. This will help prevent mold from growing again. A borate-based laundry or dish washer detergent has "borate" listed on the ingredients label.
5d. Give the entire area a good cleaning, vacuum floors, and wash any exposed bedding or clothing.
If you have a lot of mold damage (more then ten square feet) consider hiring an independent, 3rd Party, Certified Residential Mold Inspector to conduct a thorough site assessment. Turtle Clan will take the necessary and appropriate actions to assure proper IESO, IAQA, ACGIH, IICRC, ISO, NADCA, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA, AIHA and all State and local governmental protocol is followed in all investigations.
Phone: 914-361-9703
E-mail: info@turtleclan.com
Clean it up as soon as possible.
In small areas you can do it yourself:
1. Wear goggles, gloves, and breathing protection while working in the area. For large consolidated areas of mold growth, you should wear an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) approved particle mask.
2. Seal off area from the rest of your home. Cover heat registers or ventilation ducts/grills. Open a window before you start to clean up.
3. Remove all your furnishings to a mold-free area. Clean the surrounding moldy area then follow cleaning directions below for the items you removed and the new space.
4. Bag all moldy materials and tie off the top of the bag. Bring them outdoors and place in your garbage container right away.
5. Wash surfaces.
5a. First, wash with a mild detergent solution, such as laundry detergent and warm water. Allow to dry.
5b. Then wipe with a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one gallon of water. Wait 20 minutes and repeat. Wait another 20 minutes.
5c. Last, apply a borate-based detergent solution and don't rinse. This will help prevent mold from growing again. A borate-based laundry or dish washer detergent has "borate" listed on the ingredients label.
5d. Give the entire area a good cleaning, vacuum floors, and wash any exposed bedding or clothing.
If you have a lot of mold damage (more then ten square feet) consider hiring an independent, 3rd Party, Certified Residential Mold Inspector to conduct a thorough site assessment. Turtle Clan will take the necessary and appropriate actions to assure proper IESO, IAQA, ACGIH, IICRC, ISO, NADCA, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA, AIHA and all State and local governmental protocol is followed in all investigations.
Phone: 914-361-9703
E-mail: info@turtleclan.com
Monday, December 14, 2009
To prevent Mold growth in the Winter months keep your humidity in check
With Winter officially here in the Northeast, we're all cranking the heat to stay warm. The problem is indoor heat sources- oil burners, electric heaters, wood stoves - dry out the air we breathe, so we end up with dry skin, chapped lips, a sore throat, and/or a dry cough.
Many turn to humidifiers, which add moisture back into the air, but in the process of adding humidity are opening the door to a condition much worse than dry skin... allergens.
You don't want the humidity to go above 50 percent, since that will encourage the growth of mold spores, bacteria, and dust mites.
When running a humidifier, be sure to use a hygrometer. This simple device measures how much humidity is in the air. A humidity of 35 to 45 percent is optimal.
"If there were just two simple things I could do to really fix a building, it would be to change the relative humidity and any water incursion" said Matthew Snow, CIEC, CMRS, CRMI, RMS, CBST Building Scientist and Executive Vice President of Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc.
Dr. Snow added: "Controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is very important. Lowering the humidity in the home also helps prevent condensation problems. Proper exterior wall insulation helps prevent condensation inside the home during cold weather that could cause mold growth."
Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for the assessment of indoor environments for mold contamination. It is important to use a firm that is certified in and follow these protocols to insure project is completed successfully.
Visit the Turtle Clan website for information on testing and removal of toxic mold from your home or business.
If you have air pollution concerns, Turtle Clan has customized air pollution purifiers and filters that have proven again and again to be the most effective on the market.
Many turn to humidifiers, which add moisture back into the air, but in the process of adding humidity are opening the door to a condition much worse than dry skin... allergens.
You don't want the humidity to go above 50 percent, since that will encourage the growth of mold spores, bacteria, and dust mites.
When running a humidifier, be sure to use a hygrometer. This simple device measures how much humidity is in the air. A humidity of 35 to 45 percent is optimal.
"If there were just two simple things I could do to really fix a building, it would be to change the relative humidity and any water incursion" said Matthew Snow, CIEC, CMRS, CRMI, RMS, CBST Building Scientist and Executive Vice President of Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc.
Dr. Snow added: "Controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is very important. Lowering the humidity in the home also helps prevent condensation problems. Proper exterior wall insulation helps prevent condensation inside the home during cold weather that could cause mold growth."
Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for the assessment of indoor environments for mold contamination. It is important to use a firm that is certified in and follow these protocols to insure project is completed successfully.
Visit the Turtle Clan website for information on testing and removal of toxic mold from your home or business.
If you have air pollution concerns, Turtle Clan has customized air pollution purifiers and filters that have proven again and again to be the most effective on the market.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Mold for the Holidays
Holiday Allergies - Health News from WSOC TV
As the winter holiday season approaches, people tend to spend more time indoors. Often, the sniffles, sneezing and tearing eyes are attributed to colds and respiratory infections. Clifford Bassett, M.D., Allergist with NYU School of Medicine in New York City, says, in some cases, allergies may be the real cause of the symptoms.
An allergy is an inappropriate reaction to a normally harmless substance (called an allergen).
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates as many as 40 to 50 million Americans have allergies. Some of the most common causes of indoor allergies are dust, mold, animal dander and cockroach droppings.
The level of indoor allergens may increase as displays of holiday decorations go up. A live tree or greens may contain mold, pollen or chemical residues from the grower. Some people are allergic to the tree sap. Artificial trees and greens aren’t necessarily better because they often are laden with dust particles. No matter whether you have a live or artificial tree, the ornaments, themselves, can also be dust collectors.
Live trees can harbor mold that releases spores into the air. If you are able, wash the tree and let it dry before bringing it indoors. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America also recommends using a very mild bleach solution (one part bleach to 20 parts warm water) to rinse the trunk and kill off any mold growth. Mold thrives in dampness. If humidity levels are high inside the home, consider using a dehumidifier to keep mold growth down.
Read full article
Concerns relating to the presence of mold in the home or dwelling requires an independent, 3rd Party, Certified Residential Mold Inspector to conduct a thorough site assessment. Turtle Clan will take the necessary and appropriate actions to assure proper IESO, IAQA, ACGIH, IICRC, ISO, NADCA, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA, AIHA and all State and local governmental protocol is followed in all investigations.
As the winter holiday season approaches, people tend to spend more time indoors. Often, the sniffles, sneezing and tearing eyes are attributed to colds and respiratory infections. Clifford Bassett, M.D., Allergist with NYU School of Medicine in New York City, says, in some cases, allergies may be the real cause of the symptoms.
An allergy is an inappropriate reaction to a normally harmless substance (called an allergen).
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates as many as 40 to 50 million Americans have allergies. Some of the most common causes of indoor allergies are dust, mold, animal dander and cockroach droppings.
The level of indoor allergens may increase as displays of holiday decorations go up. A live tree or greens may contain mold, pollen or chemical residues from the grower. Some people are allergic to the tree sap. Artificial trees and greens aren’t necessarily better because they often are laden with dust particles. No matter whether you have a live or artificial tree, the ornaments, themselves, can also be dust collectors.
Live trees can harbor mold that releases spores into the air. If you are able, wash the tree and let it dry before bringing it indoors. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America also recommends using a very mild bleach solution (one part bleach to 20 parts warm water) to rinse the trunk and kill off any mold growth. Mold thrives in dampness. If humidity levels are high inside the home, consider using a dehumidifier to keep mold growth down.
Read full article
Concerns relating to the presence of mold in the home or dwelling requires an independent, 3rd Party, Certified Residential Mold Inspector to conduct a thorough site assessment. Turtle Clan will take the necessary and appropriate actions to assure proper IESO, IAQA, ACGIH, IICRC, ISO, NADCA, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA, AIHA and all State and local governmental protocol is followed in all investigations.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Are We Eating Mold?
Mycotoxins in Food Are an Underrated Worldwide Health Problem
In a recent article entitled "Mycotoxins and human disease: a largely ignored global health issue", authors Christopher Wild and Yun Yun Gong go on to explain how Mycotoxins are a diverse group of toxic chemicals produced by molds (fungi) and how almost any foodstuff can become contaminated with molds and mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins from many different kinds of mold can have adverse health effects. Aflatoxins are very toxic mycotoxins produced by some Aspergillus species.
Corn and peanuts are the crops most often affected by Aflatoxins.
Eating Aflatoxin contaminated food can increase risk of lung and liver cancer.
Aflatoxins can also suppress the immune system and increase risk of infections.
Aflatoxins can also cross the placental barrier and enter the blood stream of unborn children.
Some Aspergillus also produces a Mycotoxin called Sterigmatocystin that can suppress the immune system and may increase cancer risk.
Fumonisins are a family of mycotoxins produced by certain Fusarium species. Fusarium commonly grows on cereals like corn and also on many fruits and vegetables.
Fumonisins increase the risk of several forms of cancer and also increase the risk of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) when unborn children are exposed.
To reduce your exposure to molds and mycotoxins in food,REFUSE to buy or throw out any food with visible mold growth. Store fruits and vegetables carefully in the refrigerator. Limit consumption of peanuts, corn products and grains...as these crops are often contaminated with mycotoxins.
Do you see mold on your walls or ceilings?
Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for the assessment of indoor environments for mold contamination.
First we find the cause.
Next we test to see how much mold do you have and what kind it is.
Turtle Clan provides 3rd party testing services. While we provide remediation and abatement services for large scale nuclear and toxic as well, we assure you we do NOT test our own work. That would be a huge conflict of interest, so make sure when interviewing companies, you ask them about their policy with regards to this. You can be assured that our goal is to provide you with sound, unbiased test results ONLY. Your health and safety is our main concern.
In a recent article entitled "Mycotoxins and human disease: a largely ignored global health issue", authors Christopher Wild and Yun Yun Gong go on to explain how Mycotoxins are a diverse group of toxic chemicals produced by molds (fungi) and how almost any foodstuff can become contaminated with molds and mycotoxins.
Mycotoxins from many different kinds of mold can have adverse health effects. Aflatoxins are very toxic mycotoxins produced by some Aspergillus species.
Corn and peanuts are the crops most often affected by Aflatoxins.
Eating Aflatoxin contaminated food can increase risk of lung and liver cancer.
Aflatoxins can also suppress the immune system and increase risk of infections.
Aflatoxins can also cross the placental barrier and enter the blood stream of unborn children.
Some Aspergillus also produces a Mycotoxin called Sterigmatocystin that can suppress the immune system and may increase cancer risk.
Fumonisins are a family of mycotoxins produced by certain Fusarium species. Fusarium commonly grows on cereals like corn and also on many fruits and vegetables.
Fumonisins increase the risk of several forms of cancer and also increase the risk of neural tube defects (such as spina bifida) when unborn children are exposed.
To reduce your exposure to molds and mycotoxins in food,REFUSE to buy or throw out any food with visible mold growth. Store fruits and vegetables carefully in the refrigerator. Limit consumption of peanuts, corn products and grains...as these crops are often contaminated with mycotoxins.
Do you see mold on your walls or ceilings?
Turtle Clan follows the IAQA, IESO, AMIAQ Council and AIHA recommendations for the assessment of indoor environments for mold contamination.
First we find the cause.
Next we test to see how much mold do you have and what kind it is.
Turtle Clan provides 3rd party testing services. While we provide remediation and abatement services for large scale nuclear and toxic as well, we assure you we do NOT test our own work. That would be a huge conflict of interest, so make sure when interviewing companies, you ask them about their policy with regards to this. You can be assured that our goal is to provide you with sound, unbiased test results ONLY. Your health and safety is our main concern.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Mold Could Cost Maine Town $20,000
Mold a problem at future library site
Growth considerably worse than noted at time of purchase
November 26, 2009
SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — A significant presence of surface mold has been found in the basement of the former St. Michael's Church on Young Street, future home of the South Berwick Library. Its removal could cost the town an estimated $20,000.
Town Manager John Schempf and several town councilors recently toured the building to look at the extent of the problem. When it was purchased in 2008, the town was aware of the existence of mold due to poor property drainage, but officials didn't anticipate the problem growing as fast as it has since the initial discovery, Schempf said.
"We knew the building had a moisture problem," Schempf said. "(The problem) has gotten much worse, much quicker than anyone expected."
On Nov. 20, Schempf led the councilors and several South Berwick residents to the basement to view the mold, which is concentrated on the walls, cabinets and ceiling tiles.
-------------------------------------
It takes only 60% relative humidity to have a very significant mold colonization inside your home within 24-48 hours.
Common sources of indoor moisture that can cause mold problems include flooding, roof and plumbing leaks, damp basement or crawl spaces, or anywhere moist air condenses on cold surfaces.
Concerns relating to the presence of mold in the home or dwelling requires an independent, 3rd Party, Certified Residential Mold Inspector to conduct a thorough site assessment. Turtle Clan will take the necessary and appropriate actions to assure proper IESO, IAQA, ACGIH, IICRC, ISO, NADCA, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA, AIHA and all State and local governmental protocol is followed in all investigations.
Growth considerably worse than noted at time of purchase
November 26, 2009
SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — A significant presence of surface mold has been found in the basement of the former St. Michael's Church on Young Street, future home of the South Berwick Library. Its removal could cost the town an estimated $20,000.
Town Manager John Schempf and several town councilors recently toured the building to look at the extent of the problem. When it was purchased in 2008, the town was aware of the existence of mold due to poor property drainage, but officials didn't anticipate the problem growing as fast as it has since the initial discovery, Schempf said.
"We knew the building had a moisture problem," Schempf said. "(The problem) has gotten much worse, much quicker than anyone expected."
On Nov. 20, Schempf led the councilors and several South Berwick residents to the basement to view the mold, which is concentrated on the walls, cabinets and ceiling tiles.
-------------------------------------
It takes only 60% relative humidity to have a very significant mold colonization inside your home within 24-48 hours.
Common sources of indoor moisture that can cause mold problems include flooding, roof and plumbing leaks, damp basement or crawl spaces, or anywhere moist air condenses on cold surfaces.
Concerns relating to the presence of mold in the home or dwelling requires an independent, 3rd Party, Certified Residential Mold Inspector to conduct a thorough site assessment. Turtle Clan will take the necessary and appropriate actions to assure proper IESO, IAQA, ACGIH, IICRC, ISO, NADCA, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA, AIHA and all State and local governmental protocol is followed in all investigations.
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