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Water, Mold and Misery

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Water, Mold and Misery

by InternetNewsBureau.com

http://www.imakenews.com/pureaircontrols/e_article000302325.cfm?

x=b3wF5v0,bvtv58G

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pure Air Control Services Steps In to Provide National Professional

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Services

TAMPA, FL - September 10, 2004 (INB) -- When Hurricane Charley was

approaching Florida's west coast, residents were fleeing from the

Category 4, 8-10 ft. storm surge, high winds and impending

catastrophic destruction. A few weeks later, Hurricane Frances hit

the east coast. Their paths have created a seemingly innocuous " X "

factor in the middle of the state of Florida. Unfortunately, this " X "

factor in Florida and in the very path of their destruction is a

potential mark of chronic catastrophic proportions called " Mold " .

The state of Florida Agency For Health Care Administration (AHCA)

issued a declaration after Hurricane Charley to all healthcare

facilities in the state of Florida stating that AHCA has " serious

concern that the indoor air quality has been compromised " after water

damage and/or power outage and that each healthcare facility

shall " follow basic steps to insure the indoor air quality of the

facility has not adversely effected the environment of care " in order

to maintain state licensure.

" In the wake of these storms is a second wave of destruction, " said

Alan Wozniak, President/CEO of Pure Air Control Services, a national

provider of professional indoor environmental quality (IEQ)

services. " This second wave can take as long as 24 hours to 6 months

to arrive, but when it hits there can be serious health implications.

The second wave is microbial deposition and amplification in the form

of mold and bacteria propagules that in some cases can be worse than

the initial storm. In the rush to reconstruct, water damage is often

ineffectively isolated, evaluated and removed. "

In a recent publication by the Federal Emergency Management

Administration (FEMA) indicated " Mold growth is likely to occur in

homes after flooding. It's very important to clean and thoroughly dry

any areas of the home that have gotten wet from floodwaters. Failure

to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity

can present serious long-term health risks, according to the Office

of Indoor Air Quality at the Environmental Protection Agency. "

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Coordinating Officer Ron

Sherman emphasized that " If your home was flooded it could be

harboring mold. Disaster recovery and health officials warn that

victims of flooding should clean flood-damaged homes thoroughly now

to avoid possible health problems from mold and mildew in the warmer

months ahead. Care must be taken to clean and completely dry any

areas of the home that have gotten wet from floodwaters to prevent

structural damage and adverse health effects from mold. ...People are

anxious to get on with their lives after a flood, but if you had

flood waters in your home, take the time to clean thoroughly so

problems don't arise later that affect your home or your health. "

Molds are part of a group of micro-organisms called fungi that also

includes mushrooms and yeasts. Molds are familiar to most people as

food spoilers on items such as bread or fruit. Molds are nature's

decomposers in the food chain. Mold requires the following conditions

to grow:

* mold spores (which are always present indoors and outdoors);

* the right temperature range, from 2 to 40 °C;

* a food supply, which means anything organic such as books, carpets,

clothing, wood, drywall, etc.;

* a source of moisture.

The last condition, moisture, is the only practical factor to control

in most houses.

If allowed to grow inside your house, mold can be a problem because:

* it can damage your possessions

* it can cause health problems, for example:

" ... mold ... can cause ... allergic reactions such as asthma or

allergic rhinitis, non-allergic reactions such as headaches, and

other symptoms [including lung and breathing infections " (Health

Canada, 2003).

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)

stated that " if you suspect you have a mold infestation, consult a

professional immediately. Serious financial and legal consequences

may result from not properly addressing known problems. "

A proactive Mold/IEQ Home or Building Health checkup can easily avert

a second phase IEQ disaster.

" As a leader in indoor environmental services, Pure Air Control

Services is ready to assist school boards, healthcare, governments,

facilities, and homeowners with any potential recovery efforts from

Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances storm damage to your home or

facility, " stated Alan Wozniak.

About Pure Air Control Services and its family of IEQ Companies: Pure

Air Control Services is a global leader in building diagnostics,

environmental laboratory and remediation of indoor contamination. For

nearly 20 years, Pure Air Control Services has provided recovery

efforts from the consequence of major storms. Just as with current

and past needs of our clients, our prompt service and expertise will

prove to be major contributions for any recovery need you may have in

the future.

For additional information, please contact us toll free at 1-800-422-

7873 ext 804 or visit us online at http://www.pureaircontrols.com. A

pre-hurricane contact with Pure Air Control Services will assure the

quickest response in the event you need these services.

* Mold/IEQ Investigation Services - Environmental Scientists with

backgrounds in microbiology, industrial hygiene, mechanical, building

sciences, allergy/immunology http://www.pureaircontrols.com

* Environmental Diagnostics Lab (EDLab) - Microbial Laboratory

Services (AIHA Accredited Laboratory #102795) http://www.edlab.org

* Building Health Check (BHC) - Economical Building Evaluations that

include Healthy Home and Healthy Building Checkups.

http://www.buildinghealthcheck.com

* Professional Indoor Environmental Quality (PIEQ) program - IEQ

testing equipment and training for the facility manager

* Building Remediation Sciences - Ductwork Cleaning (NADCA Certified)

* Mold Remediation - NY City Department of Health Office of the

Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology guidelines on Mold

Assessment and Remediation

Contact information:

Ed Ziegler

Pure Air Control Services

www.pureaircontrols.com

www.edlab.org

800-422-7873 ext 804

eziegler@...

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