SV: Re: does mold die?

[Guest guest]

I am a mycologist from Norway that ivolved in this buisiness as a building investigator.

In reply to this I would like to say four things that hasn`t been mentioned yet.

These factors should also be considered:

1) What is the risk of exposure to the mould growth mentioned ? (air movements / preassure differences between attic and occupied area). Remember that any (helth)effect of a substance normally also consists of a dose/response (consentration of the substance and the time you are exposed) not only the toxicity. This risk assessment may be applied both to the spores and to the MVOC s from the mold. Normally (at least here in Norway) the airmovements goes from the occupied room and upwards to the attic (of course air con / ventilation can change this). At least this makes the risk a lot smaller.

2) What is the size of the infested area ? 10 cm by 10 cm is a lot different from 10 by 10 m (this also has to do with the exposure of course)

3) Why the focus on Stachybotrys sp. vs no Stachybotrys sp. ? If the conditions are right you will have a lot of different moulds growing in the same place, and a sample is unlikely to "get them all". Mould growth is not acceptable and thats tit. (In Scandinavia we have been "spared" from the Cleveland insident so that may be the reason.

4) What is the cause of the moisture that lead to the damages ? This must be adressed to be able to makethe repairs.

Good luck with the situation

Ole Carlson

Mycoteam as , Norway

( www.mycoteam.no )

-----Opprinnelig melding-----Fra: Carl E. Grimes [mailto:grimes@...]Sendt: 4. april 2003 10:03Til: stacybpt; Emne: Re: [] Re: does mold die?, A negative result does not necessarily mean the mold is not there. It may mean it didn't happen to fall from the air onto the plate while the lid was off, survive shipment and still grow. Stachybotrys - as well as most other molds - can be very difficult to collect on settling plates. Also, Stachybotrys is a finicky eater and does not thrive on the food that comes on these plates, which are intended more for general fungi. In other words, if a type (genus) of mold is on the plate it was present. But if it did not grow on the plate then you have no idea. That is called a negative result that may be false. (false negative). But you don't know.Carl Grimes Healthy Habitats LLC ----------> Thanks for the information. We did a cheap home depot test and sent it> in. The mold sample cultred found Aspergillus, Chaetomium, and> Cladosporium. From what I understand these are not the deadly "black> mold" type, but the descriptions don't sound to healthy either. There> are only a few spots of mold visible in the attic and everything seems> dry even after major rain. I get major allergies during the spring and> summer. Since moving in my allergies have been only when it's cold and> I am inside. Being inside has always been my cure for the outdoor> allergies but now it is the opposite. It's difficult to know what to> do next. The inspecter found other minor problems with the house and> the landlord has already made arrangements to have these things taken> care of. I think I need to do a little more research. Thanks, > > >

[Guest guest]

,

Since you say that you are a Mycologist and are a buiding inspector, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions. But first, would you qualify yourself by providing a brief description of you background in this area; such as what degrees & experience you have obtained.

These are some questions about Stachybotrys molds that I would like you to answer for me:

1) After Stachybotrys molds dry, how long will the spores be viable?

2) What temperature do the spores have to be heated to in degrees F to kill the spores?

3) That temperature in degrees F does it take to destroy(breakdown) Tricothecene?

4) What is the half-life of Tricothecene in the average 160lb. male human?

5) With a major outbreak of "Stachy", at what stage is the Trocothecene released from the molds, or spores, the most?

6) How do you remove Tricothecene that has been absorbed into wood or fabrics?

7) After a "mat" of Stachybotrys mold has dried, how do you get the millions of

spores, in every crack, out of your house?

These are basic questions that would really help the majority of victims. I would really appreciate if you would take the time to answer them.