Re: New Cotton Fabric May Absorb Toxins

[Guest guest]

I would bet that the cotton was nicely raised/sprayed with pesticides.

Would not doubt that there would be some ,mixture of

polyester also in it. Too much petro products in TX.

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005, Kim wrote:

> Date: Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:27:17 -0700 (PDT)

> From: Kim <kimallen@...>

> Reply-

>

> Subject: [] New Cotton Fabric May Absorb Toxins

>

> New Cotton Fabric May Absorb Toxins

> April 06, 2005 — By Betsy Blaney, Associated Press

> http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=7479

>

> LUBBOCK, Texas — Cotton, the fabric of your life, could soon have the

> potential to save it. Scientists at Texas Tech University's Institute of

> Environmental and Human Health on Monday unveiled a new composite cotton

> fabric they say will protect against biological and chemical agents.

>

> The fabric, developed with the U.S. Department of Defense in mind, also

> brings a fresh market to cotton farmers in West Texas, the nation's

> largest producing region.

>

> " We are the first to bring cotton into the national defense arena, " said

> Seshadri Ramkumar, the researcher at the institute who developed the

> fabric. " This is a big thing. "

>

> The nonwoven fabric is " exactly " the type the defense department placed

> in its decontamination and science technology strategy, he said. A thin

> piece of carbon is encased on either side by the nonwoven cotton.

>

> The fabric can be used as a wipe to remove dangerous contaminants from a

> variety of surfaces, including human skin and intricate equipment on

> fighter planes. The fabric is lightweight, soft, flexible and able to be

> draped over unusually shaped objects.

>

> The material neutralizes and absorbs toxic chemicals used in chemical

> warfare and pesticides.

>

> Another use could be the inner lining of a protective suit.

>

> " This is a win-win day for Texas Tech, " said U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer,

> R-Lubbock, who attended a news conference announcing the technology and

> its licensing to a Texas company. " It's a win-win day for the American

> people. "

>

> Now, the military uses a cloth made from carbon, which leaves skin and

> other surfaces dirty.

>

> The fabric passed tests for bacteria, yeast, fungus and mold but has not

> been tested for anthrax and other potentially deadly biological agents.

> But enzymes specifically targeting a particular agent can be applied.

>

> " Once it has been tested for nerve agents, sure it can " save lives,

> Ramkumar said.

>

> Cotton watchers in West Texas said the fabric presents an exciting avenue

> for area producers.

>

> " It's an opportunity to add value to our locally grown fiber and add a

> new income source to our area economy, " said Haldenby, a spokesman

> for the Plains Cotton Growers, which serves a 41-county region.

>

> In recent days, the university licensed a Waco-based company, Hobbs

> Bonded Fibers, to market the fabric.

>

> Carey Hobbs, the company's chief executive officer, said negotiations

> with government officials could begin within a couple of months.

>

> " This is something that could be very meaningful and contribute to the

> country's mission right now, " Hobbs said. " This is an opportunity you

> look for your whole business life. "

>

> Source: Associated Press

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I wonder why so much mold investigations, environmental clinics etc

are in Texas?? There are similar humid areas elsewhere in the U.S.,

aren't there?

>

>

> I would bet that the cotton was nicely raised/sprayed with

pesticides.

>

> Would not doubt that there would be some ,mixture of

> polyester also in it. Too much petro products in TX.

>

[Guest guest]

From: " barb1283 " <barb1283@...>

>I wonder why so much mold investigations, environmental clinics etc

> are in Texas?? There are similar humid areas elsewhere in the U.S.,

> aren't there?

Barb, I'm in Texas. I can't speak for the rest of the states only mine.

Just about every home I've been in I can detect a moldy/mildew odor; schools

and retail buildings are no different. Talking with the realtor listing the

mold contaminated home next to me; she said every home she is selling has

some mold in it.

Yesterday I stopped at an estate sale; the house was huge, a mansion. The

entry as large as my combined living/dining room. The entire house had pure

marble floors. Just gorgeous beyond words. However, as soon as I walked in

I detected mold, not faint but heavy mold odor. The home wasn't more than

15 years old; owners died. I quickly left for my health.

It's costly to make repairs in homes and not many homeowners inspect their

roof periodically. While the roofers where working on mine I went up on

the roof. The roofers pointed out many homes in my neighborhood that had

obvious leaks either through cracked/broken siding, chimney, air hawks

(vents on roof), ventilation pipes coming loose from improper nails used,

flashing coming up from improper nails used, etc. And black areas (mold)

could be seen growing. They pointed out to me with the leaks water is

getting into their attics and slowly rest of house....mold growth. One

thing the roofers taught me was that most roofing companies use improper

nails and after a few years and our intense heat the nails will begin to pop

up especially around flashing, vent pipes, ventilation we have to have on

roofs (lol I have 20 airhawks, 2 turbines, 1 electric power vent, and

ridgevents... see for pictures ....

http://www.roofcrafters.com/ventilation.htm ). The roofers noticed the

roof we had installed 4 years ago also had the nails popping up, so they

suggested we purchase and redo all our ventilation on the roof, they changed

out the nails along the flashing and we also had to purchase a new skylight

which was damaged (cracked) during the storm. Just fixing the roof and

changing out the nails cost 1/2 of a new roof. Hopefully we are water tight

now. Attic was inspected and we found no mold.

Seriously Barb, the problem is keeping up with minor repairs, climbing the

roof for periodic inspections, inspecting the attic, the rest of the house

as often as possible and doing maintenance preventative measures such as

caulking the outside everywhere needed, caulking inside, etc. How many

homeowners do this (lol, we do). We did speak with a couple of neighbors

after the roofers saw serious water leaks on their roofs to warn them; they

said they didn't have the money.

In Texas 4 years ago we had a very severe storm, which caused

millions of damage in the Houston area. That's when our homeowner's

insurance policies changed drastically for the worse. Many pulled out of

Texas, some refused to write new policies, premiums increased (ours tripled)

while coverage decreased. The first year water damage was limited to

$10,000. Anyone filing a water claim after couldn't change

insurance companies (no other company would underwrite them); homeowners

wanted to sell their homes could; however prospective homeowners couldn't

get insurance policy on a home with the water damage during . Only

this year I could change insurance companies, found AAA which gave me better

much better coverage than what I had. I called just about every insurance

company writing policies in Texas, compared coverage and rates. Very few (a

handful) had any mold coverage and unfortunately that meant increased

premiums which I and most homeowners cannot afford. Mine will cover mold

damage if the mold is detected within 30 days of a covered incident.

What are people to do? Walk away from their moldy homes and live on the

streets? No they can't. Insurance 4 years ago only paid for " plumbing

related " mold damage so those whose homes were flooded or roof leaked

.....they had no insurance recourse, couldn't pay for complete and proper

mold remedial and mold continues to grow in their homes. We had severe

damage 4 years ago, had to change out our air ducts, all the a/c and heating

equipment in the attic, carpets, etc and none was covered by insurance. I

had rising water and my special flood insurance policy didn't cover it. We

ripped out our own carpet and padding to prevent further damage and lived on

concrete floors until we could afford to replace with ceramic tile. It's a

matter of how capable and educated homeowners are during emergencies and if

they are willing to live on bare floors or whatever is necessary to protect

their home from further contamination.

I've talked to many homeowners. They have mold growing on their carpets,

baseboards, etc. I tell them to pull the carpet and I hear we can't afford

to replace it and they are unwilling to live on concrete floors. These are

only a few examples. Retail stores (the small ones) that were flooded did

minimal repair and the mold grows. The elderly, living on fixed income,

cannot afford mold remediation nor moving so they suffer.

these are just a few examples; I cannot answer for all but give you just an

idea why we have so much mold growing in our buildings (Houston area) and

why they are not repaired.

Rosie

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[Guest guest]

Rosie,

Did you add the turbines and other ventilation to your roof? Two

turbines seems like a lot. Your house must be large. I was

thinking of adding a turbine to my roof to increase ventilation but

hesitate since it is another hole in roof. Air tests in my attic

show 5X the mold in attic as in outside and that was in winter when

humidity was low. I wonder what it is like up there now. I guess

I'll do a test.

Yes, I am putting a walkway (of plywood)up there so I can inspect.

How can you know otherwise? So far just can't find any plywood that

isn't moldy to begin with!!!

Rosie, you get ON TOP OF ROOF???!!! Be careful. I fell off a

ladder painting foundation of my house and have a left arm that is

limited in movement now due to rotator cuff injury - a year and a

half still hurting me.

Where did you get roofers that you trusted?

Barb B

we have to have on

> roofs (lol I have 20 airhawks, 2 turbines, 1 electric power vent,

and

> ridgevents... see for pictures ....

> http://www.roofcrafters.com/ventilation.htm ). The roofers

noticed the

> roof we had installed 4 years ago also had the nails popping up,

so they

> suggested we purchase and redo all our ventilation on the roof,

they changed

> out the nails along the flashing and we also had to purchase a new

skylight

> which was damaged (cracked) during the storm. Just fixing the

roof and

> changing out the nails cost 1/2 of a new roof. Hopefully we are

water tight

> now. Attic was inspected and we found no mold.

[Guest guest]

This story of mold on ceiling reminds me that a condo above my

mothers sprung a leak from refrigerator ice maker when owner wasn't

home. My mother lived beneath her and this water came pouring down

through any opening it could find, chandelier opening, corner where

dry wall and ceiling met. It was a mess. No drip, drip, drip. It

poured down.

After that my mom felt sick for long time. We never connected it to

water that came from above. She had eczema on her head was

scratching and irritated. Her doctor kept telling her nothing was

wrong with her, couldn't find anything. Finally she all of sudden

diagnosed her with lukemia, two weeks before she died of it. Now I

wonder if the lukemia was connected to the water issue. This was a

couple of years after 'flood'. I feel sure the scalp eczema was

connected to water in condo but no way to know about her death.

Perhaps whole thing just weakened her immune system. I know I'm

motivated to keep the air clean but the house is really fighting

me.

>

> Seriously Barb, the problem is keeping up with minor repairs,

climbing the

> roof for periodic inspections, inspecting the attic, the rest of

the house

> as often as possible and doing maintenance preventative measures

such as

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rosie,

You are brave going up on roof. I'm pretty bold but not that bold.

Be careful. I think I would scrimp on everything else in order to

save and spend it for someone else to go up. I've lived here since

1990 and trying to get up into attic for first time. I've stuck my

head up there only.

I'm very much a do-it-yourselfer to save money though and have paid

people by the hour to do all sorts of things under my direction.

However after falling off ladder a year ago and injuring my shoulder

I'm a little less into doing it myself and eyeing a condo that has

been recommended with monthly fee of only 150.00 a month - they

shovel snow, cut lawn and maintain for that. I do love my house

though.

Anyway, you mix vinegar with hydrogen peroxide???? Did you mean one

or the other or you do mix them?

Thanks and good luck on your projects. Just watch your STEP!!!!!!

Barb B

> Hi Barb B again:

>>

> You and I should be neighbors; we'd have fun working on our homes

and

> inspecting them and learning from each other. Are you chemical

sensitive as

> well having to use only non-toxic products in and around your home?

>

> Rosie