Questions about Sick Building (house)

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

I took a break from the list and all mold talk after my move. I needed to be on

my own instincts for a while. I cant report too much about my health subsequent

move from house contaminated with stachy and WBD stew. We have had one crisis

after another with my extended family.

My attempt to use CSM went well but I crashed I think from ramping up too fast

(people with lyme and cfs need to be more careful with csm. stopping abruptly

due to a cold, then starting back at too high a dose. I ended up in a chronic

state of POTs (tachy upon standing) for two months.. I am back on csm twice a

day and have slowly worked up to 1 tsp each dose.

What I have run into is a mess of a situation with my parents health and

housing. My father had a massive stroke and we are still in a bit of a trauma

mode with this two months out. He experience medical neglect and mismanagement

in one hospital and we had to move him to another, then blood clots formed in

his arm and leg as well as fluid in his lungs.. this is after he pulled out his

catheter first week of stroke and almost bled to death. My mother has continual

bouts with pneumonia that spaced out once sewer gas issue (explanation later in

email)was taken care of but still is not clear of infections. As soon as stress

from my fathers situation has cleared a bit, she is making an appt with a

pulmonary MD who specializes in mold illness. We were fortunate to find him.

I have managed to get a mold-bacteria inspection (some form of WBD inspection),

a hopefully proper home inspection that has required a follow up inspection

(part 2) due to the number of issues that came up, and we have begun HVAC

" inspections " and estimates.

It seems we have a sick buiding due to improper HVAC installation, improper

crawl space management, improper use of cellulose insulation in crawl space and

improper plumbing with no t- traps or proper ventilation. The latter has

hopefully been addressed.

The HVAC duct work in attic is sucking in " fresh air " that was not properly

routed through filtration. There are also " holes " in the duct work that are

allowing attic air into duct work.

The duct work in the crawl space is so compromised that the cellulose insulation

(newspaper.. no kidding) has recently even shown up in the house through the air

vent. There are two floor joist showing mold growth and lack of a moisture

barrier for possiby half the crawl space area and most likely improperly

installed for the rest.

What bacterial testing I was able to get showed bacillus as the major bacteria

and within " range " . Penicillum showed up in " moderate to heavy " range as per

bulk sample of return air vent filter. We did nto air test because it was

raining and inspector advised to save money for repairs since so much showed up

that indicated work had to be done.

We are looking at remediating rerouting the " fresh air " intake and reparing duct

work in attic. Possible duct cleaning but only after duct work is " tightened,

balanced and checked for holes. "

We are looking at a crawl space remediation, sealing area off, back neg air

flow, etc.. scraping off insulation and who knows what else at this point..

removing molded joists (if that is an option unless they can truly be cleaned).

We are looking at repairing duct work, sealing seams, repaing " holes " in the

duct system, and duct cleaning or possibly replacing duct work all together.

Then we have to clean the air in the house and clean the house.

I realize may people would move, but my parents are not moving. This house is

THREE years old. The extent of bad construction practices are un beleivable,

thus, the two part house inspection.

This house had tested at 18,000 asper-pen per cu meter air a year ago. My

parents refused to listen to me regarding proper inspection and remediation and

here we are. $$$ later of improper " mold remediation " work.. a source was never

found.. they just cleaned and charged thouseands of dollars for that and

improperly installed UV lights.

It seems the source (if more is not found with further inspection of the

envelope of the house) was the sewer gas and the crawl space air circulating in

the house.

I would love to hear from those with experience with these particular issues..

dont need to hear warnings to move out.. they are not moving out.. would like to

hear realistically potential outcomes of remediation, though.. if anyone is up

to it.:-)

I did my best to get bacterial testing.. the only thing the inspector could

think to check was the air filter on the HVAC return. The house amazingly is

kept very clean of dust due to cleaning habits and air vent filters.

I do not enter this house. I had reactions every time I have attempted and it

has a bad smell. The " mold inspector " noted a strange smell as well.. he is

thinking it is from the newspaper based insulation and crawl space.. it smells

terribly stale.

Thank you..

Robin