Guest guest Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 THANK YOUM VERY IMPORTANT INFO. HERE " Branislav " <arealis@...> wrote: > > http://home-improvement-on-a-budget.blogspot.com/2008/06/odors-from- hidden-mold-and-your-health.html > > Odors From Hidden Mold And Your Health > > Article Presented by: > Daryl Watters > > > It is a well known fact that many man made volatile organic compounds > such as benzene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, and formaldehyde to > name a few not only have scary names, but can have scary health > effects and can contribute to indoor air quality problems such as sick > building syndrome and other IAQ problems. > > Mold odors are also made of volatile organic compounds. Volatile > organic compounds produced by mold include chemicals similar to > alcohols, aldehydes, amines, ketones and many more. > > When volatile organic compounds are produced by mold or bacteria we > stop calling them volatile organic compounds and refer to them as > microbial volatile organic compounds. (mVOCs) > > Mold odors or mVOC's are typically over looked as a source of health > complaints by many mold inspectors who look for spores as the only > source of potential health problems. Other inspectors are concerned > about the health effects of controversial toxins produced by toxic > black mold. Many untrained mold inspectors will enter your home do a > quick inspection and take one or two air samples and e mail you a lab > report a week later. Because visible mold was not obvious and the lab > report you receive states that spore levels indoors are low, these > inspectors will conclude that you do not have a mold problem, and that > your health problems are not related to mold in your home. > > They do not seem to consider the fact that mold may be hidden in your > property, and they fail to realize that hidden molds can produce other > dangerous components such as mVOCs or (mold odors) even when not > releasing spores. > > In this firms experience inspecting for mold in South Florida's Palm > Beach, Dade, and Broward Counties from 2003 to the present there is a > very strong correlation between mold odors and health complaints. For > example this inspector has investigated numerous cases where mold > odors were produced inside AC units, on inside walls and people became > ill. > > It appears unlikely that the illness is the result of spores because > mold inside AC units, and ducts, inside walls, or under thick wall > paper, often do not produces elevated spore levels. Thus the symptoms > are not likely related to exposure to non volatile allergens in the > mold spores, nor to non volatile heavy toxins in the mold spores, but > to the light weight highly volatile organic chemicals evaporating from > the spores and escaping into the air. The word volatile refers to the > fact that a compound evaporates into air easily at room temperature. > > It appears unlikely that the odor produced a psychosomatic (imagined > reaction) because people living in areas with these mold odors > sometimes do not notice the odors till the inspector removes an > electrical outlet cover plate for inner wall sampling and the client > stands a foot away from the cover plate, other times the client never > noticed the odor till the inspector tells the client to stand in a > specific spot, (directly under an AC vent). Such odors are often > obvious to this inspector because of experience with them. In most > cases the odor has been noticed by the client but was always barely > noticeable. > > Sometimes the molds are trapped and cannot release spores into the > air, in other cases the mold is growing vegetative, this means that it > sees no need to waste metabolic energy on the biologically expensive > act of spore production so it simply grows via branching out to > surrounding areas. This is very common with Cladosporium mold that are > found producing odors in moldy AC units and ducts. Though the mold and > spores may not register when an air sample is taken, odors that are > often only perceptible to a trained nose are often present in the very > room where health complaints are concentrated, this correlation is > very strong in this inspectors experience. > > In this inspectors experience health complaints related to mold odor > include headaches, allergy symptoms, and increases in the occurrence > of sinus infections, and even asthma development, the inspector has > seen this connection hundreds of times. > > After years of noticing this correlation I started to find information > on the internet to support these observations. Please note that the > legal and health implications are powerful, even in the lack of > elevated spore levels building occupants can still become ill from mold. > > Samples of mold odor can be taken for quantitative and qualitative > analysis by accredited labs using proven and advanced methods of > analysis. Samples are taken using thermal desorption tubes or summa > canisters. Prism Analytical labs AKA PATI is one of the few labs that > specializes in not just voc analysis but also microbial volatile > compound analysis. > > Do not rely on my observations, also see what academic and government > mold experts say about this often overlooked issue. > > ( Otto et al., 1989) Apparently Otto was years ahead of his time. > > Exposure to volatile organic compounds may result in irritation to the > eyes and the respiratory system. Volatile organic compounds and moldy > pungent odors can also initiate avoidance reactions from the > trigeminal nerve such as breath holding and discomfort. > > Environmental Protection Agency Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds > (mVOCs) > > some compounds produced by molds are volatile and are released > directly into the air. These are known as microbial volatile organic > compounds (mVOCs). Because these compounds often have strong and/or > unpleasant odors, they can be the source of odors associated with > molds. Exposure to mVOCs from molds has been linked to symptoms such > as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. > Research on MVOCs is still in the early phase. > > Damp Indoor Spaces and Health (2004) Board on Health Promotion and > Disease Prevention (HPDP )Institute of Medicine (IOM ) > > The committee found sufficient evidence of an association between > exposure to damp indoor environments and some respiratory health > outcomes: upper respiratory tract (nasal and throat) symptoms, cough, > wheeze, and asthma symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons. > Epidemiologic studies also indicate that there is sufficient evidence > to conclude that the presence of mold (otherwise unspecified) indoors > is associated with upper respiratory symptoms, cough, wheeze, asthma > symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons, and hypersensitivity > pneumonitis (a relatively rare immune-mediated condition) in > susceptible persons. > > From Environmental Health Perspectives - Airborne Mold and Endotoxin > Concentrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Flooding, October > through November 2005Mold. > > Filamentous microfungi (mold) can threaten human health through > release of spores that become airborne and can be inhaled. Some molds > produce metabolites (mycotoxins) that can initiate a toxic response in > humans or other vertebrates (Robbins et al. 2000). Repeated exposure > to significant quantities of fungal material can result in respiratory > irritation or allergic sensitization in some individuals (Bush et al. > 2006). Sensitized individuals may subsequently respond to much lower > concentrations of airborne fungal materials. Of the thousands of types > of fungal spores found in indoor and outdoor environments, adverse > health effects in humans have most frequently been associated with > Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys > (Hossain et al. 2004; Jarvis and 2005; O'Driscoll et al. 2005; > Stark et al. 2003). > > (Jaakkola et al. 2005). > > The health effects of exposure to mold in the indoor environment have > been extensively studied (Belanger et al. 2003; A more recent large > population-based prospective cohort study found that the presence of > mold odor in the home was associated with a 2.4-fold increased > incidence rate of asthma among children. > > Study: Mold in Homes Doubles Risk of Asthma Report in Environmental > Health Perspectives Finds Children Residing in Damp Homes at Risk for > Developing Asthma > > Exposure to mold and dampness in homes as much as doubles the risk of > asthma development in children, according to a study published today > in the March issue of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health > Perspectives (EHP). In fact, children living in homes with mold odor > during the initial study period were more than twice as likely to > develop asthma in the following 6 years. > > Damp Indoor Spaces and Health may 2004 > > This book by the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of > exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers > recommendations for public health interventions. > > A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an > association between damp indoor environments and some upper > respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheeze, and asthma symptoms in > sensitized persons. > > State Health Dept- What are microbial volatile organic compounds? > > Another source of irritation from mold exposure comes from substances > known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). These compounds > are produced through fungal metabolism and are released directly into > the air, often giving off strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to > mVOCs from molds can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and has > been linked to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nasal > irritation and nausea. > > Respected Allergy Related Website - Volatile Compounds > > (VOC'S) produced by mold are thought to cause headache, attention > deficit, inability to concentrate, and dizziness. > > Respected Allergy Related Website - Adverse Reactions to Odor > > Odors produced by molds may also adversely affect some individuals. > Some people derive enjoyment from odors of all kinds. Others may > respond with headache, nasal stuffiness, nausea or even vomiting to > certain odors including various perfumes, cigarette smoke, diesel > exhaust or moldy odors. Asthmatics may respond to odors with symptoms. > > Author > > Harriet M. Ammann is a senior toxicologist for Washington State > Department of Health, Office of Environmental Health Assessments. She > provides support to a variety of environmental health programs > including ambient and indoor air programs. > > Respected National Mold Remediation Chain - Why do molds give off > musty odors? > > The musty odors produced by molds are known by scientists as Microbial > Volatile Organic Compounds. Health effects such as headaches, > dizziness and nausea have been linked to exposure to mVOCs. > > Mold Law Website - Mold Irritations > > Volatile Compounds found in or around homes can be responsible for > mucous membrane irritants. It is thought that fungi can add to the > already existing compounds when breaking down certain organic > substances. A mold-contaminated building may have a significant > contribution from its fungal contaminants that is added to common > VOC's---building materials, paints, plastics and cleaners. VOC's in > general can result in symptoms that include lowered attention span, > headaches, lack of concentration, and dizziness. > > Reaction to Mold Odors > > Some individuals have very strong reactions to the smells given off by > molds. Among humans, there is a high degree of variation in ability to > detect these odors. Certain individuals can detect low levels of > VOC's, while others can only detect relatively high levels. > > > About the Author: > A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. provides IAQ or indoor air > quality and mold testing services for home owners and businesses in > Palm Beach, Dade, and Broward County Florida. > http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/ > http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/ > http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/voc-levels-miami-dade-ft- lauderdale-west-palm-beach-iaq-indoorairquality-consultant.htm > > > posted by at 2:21 AM > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 In my opinion acquired hypersensitivity to MVOCs can cause cross-reactions to non-fungal VOCs, as well. Thats a big part of the MCS problem. The " 500 lb gorilla in the room " as they say. On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 11:46 AM, who <jeaninem660@...> wrote: > THANK YOUM VERY IMPORTANT INFO. HERE " Branislav " <arealis@...> wrote: >> >> http://home-improvement-on-a-budget.blogspot.com/2008/06/odors-from- > hidden-mold-and-your-health.html >> >> Odors From Hidden Mold And Your Health >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 WOW, I think this is very important. it shows that mvoc's and voc's cause the MCS, allergic syndromes and sinus and trigiminal damage and most important, that you can become very ill from mold in WDB'S weither mycotoxin's are present or not. this all fit's in to exactly what I went through with two very different exposures. the effects from mycotoxins are very very damageing on the system and organs but do not produce the same symptoms/effects as mvoc's/voc's. also seems pretty obvious that the heavier the amount of resin/film that contaminates your belonging's would corralte with levels of dose/amount's of mold found along with documented moisture in the air. also seems to me that that documentation of moisture with it's substances corralates with your symptoms as that moisture level can get to the point of felling like your in a freaking sauna and you well get incredably sick with that exposure. Thank you very much Branislav for your perserverence<spelling on this subject. it answers so many questions I've wondered about for quite awhile and I have no dought's any longer. none. at the same time I fell very cheated by a few people that have tried to confuse the issues, maybe purposely, for a very long time. I have to wonder how many times the truth was throwed in their faces and they refused to aknowledge it. but I lived my nightmare in both houses and it gave me a tottally different view than most people exposed in WDB's. theres no dought in my mind what mycotoxins and mvoc's,voc's can do together or seperate. theres no dought in my mind that people can and do get very ill with high indoor exposures to molds and their byproducts, with or without mycotoxins. I also do fell that mycotoxin exposure well be involved in most WDB exposures with the moisture there as it seens that might actuall help mycotoxins stick to mold spores and other air particles and get inhaled. and I also am very possitive that mycotoxins are more airborne on their own in dry environments, stirred up by wind,drafts,forced air heat or along with radiant heat as heat rises. also I know for a fact that dry mold spores and it's mycotoxins can and do become airborne with viberation and drift. > THANK YOU, VERY IMPORTANT INFO. HERE " Branislav " <arealis@> wrote: > > > > http://home-improvement-on-a-budget.blogspot.com/2008/06/odors- from- > hidden-mold-and-your-health.html > > > > Odors From Hidden Mold And Your Health > > > > Article Presented by: > > Daryl Watters > > > > > > It is a well known fact that many man made volatile organic > compounds > > such as benzene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, and formaldehyde to > > name a few not only have scary names, but can have scary health > > effects and can contribute to indoor air quality problems such as > sick > > building syndrome and other IAQ problems. > > > > Mold odors are also made of volatile organic compounds. Volatile > > organic compounds produced by mold include chemicals similar to > > alcohols, aldehydes, amines, ketones and many more. > > > > When volatile organic compounds are produced by mold or bacteria we > > stop calling them volatile organic compounds and refer to them as > > microbial volatile organic compounds. (mVOCs) > > > > Mold odors or mVOC's are typically over looked as a source of health > > complaints by many mold inspectors who look for spores as the only > > source of potential health problems. Other inspectors are concerned > > about the health effects of controversial toxins produced by toxic > > black mold. Many untrained mold inspectors will enter your home do a > > quick inspection and take one or two air samples and e mail you a > lab > > report a week later. Because visible mold was not obvious and the > lab > > report you receive states that spore levels indoors are low, these > > inspectors will conclude that you do not have a mold problem, and > that > > your health problems are not related to mold in your home. > > > > They do not seem to consider the fact that mold may be hidden in > your > > property, and they fail to realize that hidden molds can produce > other > > dangerous components such as mVOCs or (mold odors) even when not > > releasing spores. > > > > In this firms experience inspecting for mold in South Florida's Palm > > Beach, Dade, and Broward Counties from 2003 to the present there is > a > > very strong correlation between mold odors and health complaints. > For > > example this inspector has investigated numerous cases where mold > > odors were produced inside AC units, on inside walls and people > became > > ill. > > > > It appears unlikely that the illness is the result of spores because > > mold inside AC units, and ducts, inside walls, or under thick wall > > paper, often do not produces elevated spore levels. Thus the > symptoms > > are not likely related to exposure to non volatile allergens in the > > mold spores, nor to non volatile heavy toxins in the mold spores, > but > > to the light weight highly volatile organic chemicals evaporating > from > > the spores and escaping into the air. The word volatile refers to > the > > fact that a compound evaporates into air easily at room temperature. > > > > It appears unlikely that the odor produced a psychosomatic (imagined > > reaction) because people living in areas with these mold odors > > sometimes do not notice the odors till the inspector removes an > > electrical outlet cover plate for inner wall sampling and the client > > stands a foot away from the cover plate, other times the client > never > > noticed the odor till the inspector tells the client to stand in a > > specific spot, (directly under an AC vent). Such odors are often > > obvious to this inspector because of experience with them. In most > > cases the odor has been noticed by the client but was always barely > > noticeable. > > > > Sometimes the molds are trapped and cannot release spores into the > > air, in other cases the mold is growing vegetative, this means that > it > > sees no need to waste metabolic energy on the biologically expensive > > act of spore production so it simply grows via branching out to > > surrounding areas. This is very common with Cladosporium mold that > are > > found producing odors in moldy AC units and ducts. Though the mold > and > > spores may not register when an air sample is taken, odors that are > > often only perceptible to a trained nose are often present in the > very > > room where health complaints are concentrated, this correlation is > > very strong in this inspectors experience. > > > > In this inspectors experience health complaints related to mold odor > > include headaches, allergy symptoms, and increases in the occurrence > > of sinus infections, and even asthma development, the inspector has > > seen this connection hundreds of times. > > > > After years of noticing this correlation I started to find > information > > on the internet to support these observations. Please note that the > > legal and health implications are powerful, even in the lack of > > elevated spore levels building occupants can still become ill from > mold. > > > > Samples of mold odor can be taken for quantitative and qualitative > > analysis by accredited labs using proven and advanced methods of > > analysis. Samples are taken using thermal desorption tubes or summa > > canisters. Prism Analytical labs AKA PATI is one of the few labs > that > > specializes in not just voc analysis but also microbial volatile > > compound analysis. > > > > Do not rely on my observations, also see what academic and > government > > mold experts say about this often overlooked issue. > > > > ( Otto et al., 1989) Apparently Otto was years ahead of his time. > > > > Exposure to volatile organic compounds may result in irritation to > the > > eyes and the respiratory system. Volatile organic compounds and > moldy > > pungent odors can also initiate avoidance reactions from the > > trigeminal nerve such as breath holding and discomfort. > > > > Environmental Protection Agency Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds > > (mVOCs) > > > > some compounds produced by molds are volatile and are released > > directly into the air. These are known as microbial volatile organic > > compounds (mVOCs). Because these compounds often have strong and/or > > unpleasant odors, they can be the source of odors associated with > > molds. Exposure to mVOCs from molds has been linked to symptoms such > > as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. > > Research on MVOCs is still in the early phase. > > > > Damp Indoor Spaces and Health (2004) Board on Health Promotion and > > Disease Prevention (HPDP )Institute of Medicine (IOM ) > > > > The committee found sufficient evidence of an association between > > exposure to damp indoor environments and some respiratory health > > outcomes: upper respiratory tract (nasal and throat) symptoms, > cough, > > wheeze, and asthma symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons. > > Epidemiologic studies also indicate that there is sufficient > evidence > > to conclude that the presence of mold (otherwise unspecified) > indoors > > is associated with upper respiratory symptoms, cough, wheeze, asthma > > symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons, and hypersensitivity > > pneumonitis (a relatively rare immune-mediated condition) in > > susceptible persons. > > > > From Environmental Health Perspectives - Airborne Mold and Endotoxin > > Concentrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Flooding, October > > through November 2005Mold. > > > > Filamentous microfungi (mold) can threaten human health through > > release of spores that become airborne and can be inhaled. Some > molds > > produce metabolites (mycotoxins) that can initiate a toxic response > in > > humans or other vertebrates (Robbins et al. 2000). Repeated exposure > > to significant quantities of fungal material can result in > respiratory > > irritation or allergic sensitization in some individuals (Bush et > al. > > 2006). Sensitized individuals may subsequently respond to much lower > > concentrations of airborne fungal materials. Of the thousands of > types > > of fungal spores found in indoor and outdoor environments, adverse > > health effects in humans have most frequently been associated with > > Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys > > (Hossain et al. 2004; Jarvis and 2005; O'Driscoll et al. > 2005; > > Stark et al. 2003). > > > > (Jaakkola et al. 2005). > > > > The health effects of exposure to mold in the indoor environment > have > > been extensively studied (Belanger et al. 2003; A more recent large > > population-based prospective cohort study found that the presence of > > mold odor in the home was associated with a 2.4-fold increased > > incidence rate of asthma among children. > > > > Study: Mold in Homes Doubles Risk of Asthma Report in Environmental > > Health Perspectives Finds Children Residing in Damp Homes at Risk > for > > Developing Asthma > > > > Exposure to mold and dampness in homes as much as doubles the risk > of > > asthma development in children, according to a study published today > > in the March issue of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health > > Perspectives (EHP). In fact, children living in homes with mold odor > > during the initial study period were more than twice as likely to > > develop asthma in the following 6 years. > > > > Damp Indoor Spaces and Health may 2004 > > > > This book by the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of > > exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers > > recommendations for public health interventions. > > > > A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an > > association between damp indoor environments and some upper > > respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheeze, and asthma symptoms in > > sensitized persons. > > > > State Health Dept- What are microbial volatile organic compounds? > > > > Another source of irritation from mold exposure comes from > substances > > known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). These > compounds > > are produced through fungal metabolism and are released directly > into > > the air, often giving off strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to > > mVOCs from molds can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and > has > > been linked to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nasal > > irritation and nausea. > > > > Respected Allergy Related Website - Volatile Compounds > > > > (VOC'S) produced by mold are thought to cause headache, attention > > deficit, inability to concentrate, and dizziness. > > > > Respected Allergy Related Website - Adverse Reactions to Odor > > > > Odors produced by molds may also adversely affect some individuals. > > Some people derive enjoyment from odors of all kinds. Others may > > respond with headache, nasal stuffiness, nausea or even vomiting to > > certain odors including various perfumes, cigarette smoke, diesel > > exhaust or moldy odors. Asthmatics may respond to odors with > symptoms. > > > > Author > > > > Harriet M. Ammann is a senior toxicologist for Washington State > > Department of Health, Office of Environmental Health Assessments. > She > > provides support to a variety of environmental health programs > > including ambient and indoor air programs. > > > > Respected National Mold Remediation Chain - Why do molds give off > > musty odors? > > > > The musty odors produced by molds are known by scientists as > Microbial > > Volatile Organic Compounds. Health effects such as headaches, > > dizziness and nausea have been linked to exposure to mVOCs. > > > > Mold Law Website - Mold Irritations > > > > Volatile Compounds found in or around homes can be responsible for > > mucous membrane irritants. It is thought that fungi can add to the > > already existing compounds when breaking down certain organic > > substances. A mold-contaminated building may have a significant > > contribution from its fungal contaminants that is added to common > > VOC's---building materials, paints, plastics and cleaners. VOC's in > > general can result in symptoms that include lowered attention span, > > headaches, lack of concentration, and dizziness. > > > > Reaction to Mold Odors > > > > Some individuals have very strong reactions to the smells given off > by > > molds. Among humans, there is a high degree of variation in ability > to > > detect these odors. Certain individuals can detect low levels of > > VOC's, while others can only detect relatively high levels. > > > > > > About the Author: > > A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. provides IAQ or indoor > air > > quality and mold testing services for home owners and businesses in > > Palm Beach, Dade, and Broward County Florida. > > http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/ > > http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/ > > http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/voc-levels-miami-dade-ft- > lauderdale-west-palm-beach-iaq-indoorairquality-consultant.htm > > > > > > posted by at 2:21 AM > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 really Live? and when exactly did you change your opinion? nov. 2007 in IEQ you were strongly backing Croft's theory of mycotoxins being volatile and the MW's long time run of the mill mouth swearing that mycotoxins and only mycotoxins cause MCS. that's been almost a year ago and I can't really recall you haveing said much of anything about mvoc's in the last year,or pointing out as you do so well because of your need for all things to be factual that MCS is caused by mvoc's and voc's. just the never ending mycotoxins,mycotoxins. I had actually came to the conclusion that you are Dr.Croft or Bill Croft, Mr aka 47 > >> > >> http://home-improvement-on-a-budget.blogspot.com/2008/06/odors- from- > > hidden-mold-and-your-health.html > >> > >> Odors From Hidden Mold And Your Health > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2008 Report Share Posted October 8, 2008 Interesting article. I am very tuned in to mvocs now. I don't like them because I know what they represent (MOLD) > > http://home-improvement-on-a-budget.blogspot.com/2008/06/odors-from-hidden-mold-\ and-your-health.html > > Odors From Hidden Mold And Your Health > > Article Presented by: > Daryl Watters > > > It is a well known fact that many man made volatile organic compounds > such as benzene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, and formaldehyde to > name a few not only have scary names, but can have scary health > effects and can contribute to indoor air quality problems such as sick > building syndrome and other IAQ problems. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2008 Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 Just thought I'd add to this that after my exposure in the second home where I aquired the MCS/hyper reactiveness to the mvoc's,vov's and other chemicals, and the allergies and/or allergic autoimmune anaphalaxis syndrome type responces. I moved back into my first home because I didn't know there was mold there yet but it than didn't take long to figure that out. no there was never a smell of mildew even, on the first floor while I lived there before. I did notice more the dirty earthy smell there when I first moved back in. but I hardly ever went to the 3ed floor because of my back pain and all the stairs and yes, that back pain came right back when I moved back in. anyway, it rained during that time that I was there and because I realized there had to be mold there or something causeing those sy,ptoms to all come back and much worse this time because that second home had made me so ill. the co. came to do swabs. I later went to the 3ed floor to take pictures and there while it was still wet and several molds were visable includeing a few weird looking srooms growing through a crack in the plaster, I had a MCS attack. only on the third floor. only where there were several mold types growing and moisture and voc's were heavy. now I realize theres still going to be a small mixture of both mvoc's and positable myco's in any situation. and this home was over 100 years old and I dont think the off gassing of any man made chemicals were involved at all here as they no doubt were at the second home where it had be partly remodeled in a effort to hide the mold problems. this house had steam heat which is actually very dry heat. comman sence tells me that the mvoc's probably remained mostly on the 3rd floor behind the plater walls and came out more with the cracks and the finally falling out plaster in spots. and slowly made it's way down along with the mold growth. some rooms on the second floor that actually had a roof above them also were worse about the smell. but the days I was sickest here (before exposure in the second home) where the days when the wind was blowing and during the winter when the steam heat forsed air up along with what had sidted to the basement. and there is where, while heat was still on that stachy spores were documented around 200 count. other molds were around 18-20 throughout the house. the report advices that the walls, mainly on the 3rd floor be gutted as it's felt that theres probably a large amount of stachy hidden behind the walls. this is just my strong opinion of what I LIVED THROUGH! take it as you well. ps, a few months ago when I mentioned that I had to go to my house with the cops to make a kady and her kids get out, I stood on the sidewalk about 8ft. from the porch where the porch roof is damaged from a roof leak and stachy shows itself there also. it was dry and this people were causeing vicerations and a stirring up of things with thier trafic. there was a slight breeze. I thought I was far enough away. no MCS type symptoms and the exposure was low but I was felling the effects moldly as I weakly walked away, and yes, I had the ole familur symptoms from that house for around 2 months even though it wasn't as strong a effect, but not fun to deal with even still. > > > > > > http://home-improvement-on-a-budget.blogspot.com/2008/06/odors- > from- > > hidden-mold-and-your-health.html > > > > > > Odors From Hidden Mold And Your Health > > > > > > Article Presented by: > > > Daryl Watters > > > > > > > > > It is a well known fact that many man made volatile organic > > compounds > > > such as benzene, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, and formaldehyde to > > > name a few not only have scary names, but can have scary health > > > effects and can contribute to indoor air quality problems such as > > sick > > > building syndrome and other IAQ problems. > > > > > > Mold odors are also made of volatile organic compounds. Volatile > > > organic compounds produced by mold include chemicals similar to > > > alcohols, aldehydes, amines, ketones and many more. > > > > > > When volatile organic compounds are produced by mold or bacteria > we > > > stop calling them volatile organic compounds and refer to them as > > > microbial volatile organic compounds. (mVOCs) > > > > > > Mold odors or mVOC's are typically over looked as a source of > health > > > complaints by many mold inspectors who look for spores as the only > > > source of potential health problems. Other inspectors are > concerned > > > about the health effects of controversial toxins produced by toxic > > > black mold. Many untrained mold inspectors will enter your home > do a > > > quick inspection and take one or two air samples and e mail you a > > lab > > > report a week later. Because visible mold was not obvious and the > > lab > > > report you receive states that spore levels indoors are low, these > > > inspectors will conclude that you do not have a mold problem, and > > that > > > your health problems are not related to mold in your home. > > > > > > They do not seem to consider the fact that mold may be hidden in > > your > > > property, and they fail to realize that hidden molds can produce > > other > > > dangerous components such as mVOCs or (mold odors) even when not > > > releasing spores. > > > > > > In this firms experience inspecting for mold in South Florida's > Palm > > > Beach, Dade, and Broward Counties from 2003 to the present there > is > > a > > > very strong correlation between mold odors and health complaints. > > For > > > example this inspector has investigated numerous cases where mold > > > odors were produced inside AC units, on inside walls and people > > became > > > ill. > > > > > > It appears unlikely that the illness is the result of spores > because > > > mold inside AC units, and ducts, inside walls, or under thick wall > > > paper, often do not produces elevated spore levels. Thus the > > symptoms > > > are not likely related to exposure to non volatile allergens in > the > > > mold spores, nor to non volatile heavy toxins in the mold spores, > > but > > > to the light weight highly volatile organic chemicals evaporating > > from > > > the spores and escaping into the air. The word volatile refers to > > the > > > fact that a compound evaporates into air easily at room > temperature. > > > > > > It appears unlikely that the odor produced a psychosomatic > (imagined > > > reaction) because people living in areas with these mold odors > > > sometimes do not notice the odors till the inspector removes an > > > electrical outlet cover plate for inner wall sampling and the > client > > > stands a foot away from the cover plate, other times the client > > never > > > noticed the odor till the inspector tells the client to stand in a > > > specific spot, (directly under an AC vent). Such odors are often > > > obvious to this inspector because of experience with them. In most > > > cases the odor has been noticed by the client but was always > barely > > > noticeable. > > > > > > Sometimes the molds are trapped and cannot release spores into the > > > air, in other cases the mold is growing vegetative, this means > that > > it > > > sees no need to waste metabolic energy on the biologically > expensive > > > act of spore production so it simply grows via branching out to > > > surrounding areas. This is very common with Cladosporium mold > that > > are > > > found producing odors in moldy AC units and ducts. Though the > mold > > and > > > spores may not register when an air sample is taken, odors that > are > > > often only perceptible to a trained nose are often present in the > > very > > > room where health complaints are concentrated, this correlation is > > > very strong in this inspectors experience. > > > > > > In this inspectors experience health complaints related to mold > odor > > > include headaches, allergy symptoms, and increases in the > occurrence > > > of sinus infections, and even asthma development, the inspector > has > > > seen this connection hundreds of times. > > > > > > After years of noticing this correlation I started to find > > information > > > on the internet to support these observations. Please note that > the > > > legal and health implications are powerful, even in the lack of > > > elevated spore levels building occupants can still become ill > from > > mold. > > > > > > Samples of mold odor can be taken for quantitative and qualitative > > > analysis by accredited labs using proven and advanced methods of > > > analysis. Samples are taken using thermal desorption tubes or > summa > > > canisters. Prism Analytical labs AKA PATI is one of the few labs > > that > > > specializes in not just voc analysis but also microbial volatile > > > compound analysis. > > > > > > Do not rely on my observations, also see what academic and > > government > > > mold experts say about this often overlooked issue. > > > > > > ( Otto et al., 1989) Apparently Otto was years ahead of his time. > > > > > > Exposure to volatile organic compounds may result in irritation > to > > the > > > eyes and the respiratory system. Volatile organic compounds and > > moldy > > > pungent odors can also initiate avoidance reactions from the > > > trigeminal nerve such as breath holding and discomfort. > > > > > > Environmental Protection Agency Microbial Volatile Organic > Compounds > > > (mVOCs) > > > > > > some compounds produced by molds are volatile and are released > > > directly into the air. These are known as microbial volatile > organic > > > compounds (mVOCs). Because these compounds often have strong > and/or > > > unpleasant odors, they can be the source of odors associated with > > > molds. Exposure to mVOCs from molds has been linked to symptoms > such > > > as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. > > > Research on MVOCs is still in the early phase. > > > > > > Damp Indoor Spaces and Health (2004) Board on Health Promotion and > > > Disease Prevention (HPDP )Institute of Medicine (IOM ) > > > > > > The committee found sufficient evidence of an association between > > > exposure to damp indoor environments and some respiratory health > > > outcomes: upper respiratory tract (nasal and throat) symptoms, > > cough, > > > wheeze, and asthma symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons. > > > Epidemiologic studies also indicate that there is sufficient > > evidence > > > to conclude that the presence of mold (otherwise unspecified) > > indoors > > > is associated with upper respiratory symptoms, cough, wheeze, > asthma > > > symptoms in sensitized asthmatic persons, and hypersensitivity > > > pneumonitis (a relatively rare immune-mediated condition) in > > > susceptible persons. > > > > > > From Environmental Health Perspectives - Airborne Mold and > Endotoxin > > > Concentrations in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Flooding, October > > > through November 2005Mold. > > > > > > Filamentous microfungi (mold) can threaten human health through > > > release of spores that become airborne and can be inhaled. Some > > molds > > > produce metabolites (mycotoxins) that can initiate a toxic > response > > in > > > humans or other vertebrates (Robbins et al. 2000). Repeated > exposure > > > to significant quantities of fungal material can result in > > respiratory > > > irritation or allergic sensitization in some individuals (Bush et > > al. > > > 2006). Sensitized individuals may subsequently respond to much > lower > > > concentrations of airborne fungal materials. Of the thousands of > > types > > > of fungal spores found in indoor and outdoor environments, adverse > > > health effects in humans have most frequently been associated with > > > Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and > Stachybotrys > > > (Hossain et al. 2004; Jarvis and 2005; O'Driscoll et al. > > 2005; > > > Stark et al. 2003). > > > > > > (Jaakkola et al. 2005). > > > > > > The health effects of exposure to mold in the indoor environment > > have > > > been extensively studied (Belanger et al. 2003; A more recent > large > > > population-based prospective cohort study found that the presence > of > > > mold odor in the home was associated with a 2.4-fold increased > > > incidence rate of asthma among children. > > > > > > Study: Mold in Homes Doubles Risk of Asthma Report in > Environmental > > > Health Perspectives Finds Children Residing in Damp Homes at Risk > > for > > > Developing Asthma > > > > > > Exposure to mold and dampness in homes as much as doubles the > risk > > of > > > asthma development in children, according to a study published > today > > > in the March issue of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental > Health > > > Perspectives (EHP). In fact, children living in homes with mold > odor > > > during the initial study period were more than twice as likely to > > > develop asthma in the following 6 years. > > > > > > Damp Indoor Spaces and Health may 2004 > > > > > > This book by the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact > of > > > exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers > > > recommendations for public health interventions. > > > > > > A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an > > > association between damp indoor environments and some upper > > > respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheeze, and asthma symptoms in > > > sensitized persons. > > > > > > State Health Dept- What are microbial volatile organic compounds? > > > > > > Another source of irritation from mold exposure comes from > > substances > > > known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). These > > compounds > > > are produced through fungal metabolism and are released directly > > into > > > the air, often giving off strong or unpleasant odors. Exposure to > > > mVOCs from molds can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and > > has > > > been linked to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, > nasal > > > irritation and nausea. > > > > > > Respected Allergy Related Website - Volatile Compounds > > > > > > (VOC'S) produced by mold are thought to cause headache, attention > > > deficit, inability to concentrate, and dizziness. > > > > > > Respected Allergy Related Website - Adverse Reactions to Odor > > > > > > Odors produced by molds may also adversely affect some > individuals. > > > Some people derive enjoyment from odors of all kinds. Others may > > > respond with headache, nasal stuffiness, nausea or even vomiting > to > > > certain odors including various perfumes, cigarette smoke, diesel > > > exhaust or moldy odors. Asthmatics may respond to odors with > > symptoms. > > > > > > Author > > > > > > Harriet M. Ammann is a senior toxicologist for Washington State > > > Department of Health, Office of Environmental Health Assessments. > > She > > > provides support to a variety of environmental health programs > > > including ambient and indoor air programs. > > > > > > Respected National Mold Remediation Chain - Why do molds give off > > > musty odors? > > > > > > The musty odors produced by molds are known by scientists as > > Microbial > > > Volatile Organic Compounds. Health effects such as headaches, > > > dizziness and nausea have been linked to exposure to mVOCs. > > > > > > Mold Law Website - Mold Irritations > > > > > > Volatile Compounds found in or around homes can be responsible for > > > mucous membrane irritants. It is thought that fungi can add to the > > > already existing compounds when breaking down certain organic > > > substances. A mold-contaminated building may have a significant > > > contribution from its fungal contaminants that is added to common > > > VOC's---building materials, paints, plastics and cleaners. VOC's > in > > > general can result in symptoms that include lowered attention > span, > > > headaches, lack of concentration, and dizziness. > > > > > > Reaction to Mold Odors > > > > > > Some individuals have very strong reactions to the smells given > off > > by > > > molds. Among humans, there is a high degree of variation in > ability > > to > > > detect these odors. Certain individuals can detect low levels of > > > VOC's, while others can only detect relatively high levels. > > > > > > > > > About the Author: > > > A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. provides IAQ or indoor > > air > > > quality and mold testing services for home owners and businesses > in > > > Palm Beach, Dade, and Broward County Florida. > > > http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/ > > > http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/ > > > http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us/voc-levels-miami-dade-ft- > > lauderdale-west-palm-beach-iaq-indoorairquality-consultant.htm > > > > > > > > > posted by at 2:21 AM > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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