Chat on WHDH-TV Boston Re: Sick Homes

[Guest guest]

Here is the link for the Live Chat that occurred on Boston's WHDH, Channel 7

last night (Thurday, February 7th) with Jeff May, author of " My House is

Killing Me. " This chat followed a special report on WHDH on Wednesday's 11

p.m. news.

http://www.whdh.com/livechat/

[Guest guest]

I could not find this story on WHDH, can anyone help me find it? Thanks ----- Original Message ----- From: MLMJ75@... Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 10:12 AM MarthasMe@...; pbarth@...; RSMC55@...; kieoh@...; johncoby@...; kerrycostello@...; Sawyercros@...; Info@...; Healthrights@...; glindsayid@...; Rllipsey87@...; jmhi@...; Kenmoulton@...; agasaya@...; ; imd@...; toxicmoldsurvivors ; ToxicMoldVictims ; guykeithvann@...; GW@...; SYerkes@... Subject: [] Chat on WHDH-TV Boston Re: Sick Homes Here is the link for the Live Chat that occurred on Boston's WHDH, Channel 7 last night (Thurday, February 7th) with Jeff May, author of "My House is Killing Me." This chat followed a special report on WHDH on Wednesday's 11 p.m. news. http://www.whdh.com/livechat/FAIR USE NOTICE:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

[Guest guest]

From: " Dayberry " <sdayberry@...>

Subject: Re: [] Chat on WHDH-TV Boston Re: Sick Homes

Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2002 15:09:55 -0600

I could not find this story on WHDH, can anyone help me find it? Thanks

----- Original Message -----

From: MLMJ75@...

Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 10:12 AM

Subject: [] Chat on WHDH-TV Boston Re: Sick Homes

Here is the link for the Live Chat that occurred on Boston's WHDH, Channel 7

last night (Thurday, February 7th) with Jeff May, author of " My House is

Killing Me. " This chat followed a special report on WHDH on Wednesday's 11

p.m. news.

http://www.whdh.com/livechat/, 2/7/2001, Boston

Jeff May: Good evening, everyone. I look forward to receiving your

questions. Jeff May

Carin: During the winter months, I tend to wake up with headaches rather

frequently...I'm thinking it's because my apartment is incredibly dry...I

have a humidifier, but are there other things I should be thinking about?

Jeff May: Make sure that your humidifier is not an evaporative pad

humidifier. Use only a warm mist humidifier, and keep the relative humidity

under 35% in the winter. One very common cause of headaches is carbon

monoxide poisoning. You should have your heating equipment - hot water

heater and furnace - checked. Sometimes ovens can also be a source of carbon

monoxide. The gas company can check all of these for you.

Moldy: Jeff, I've been experiencing several inexplicable respiratory and

nerological problems since moving into a new home. Upon examination, I found

black & brown mold on the foundation wall in my basement.

Jeff May: Some molds can cause neurological problems, but often off-gassing

from new carpets can do this. If your heating system is a hot air furnace

that has a leaky return, you may be drawing in moldy basement air. I would

first determine if in fact the foundation wall discoloration is mold. You

probably shouldn't clean this yourself, because if it is making you ill, you

could be affected by it. Hire a professional to clean it if necessary.

cynthia: We have children with symptoms, earwigs, evidence of water damage

and mold spots on the walls in our rental home, what is the best bet for

healthy air a dehumidifier a electronic precipitator, a HEPA or ULPA air

filtering portable unit?

Jeff May: , if you have contaminated carpeting, you should be very

careful about operating any air purifiers that disturb the dusts. You should

determine what is in the dust first and if there are problems, eliminate the

sources.

cmac: jeff, we are very interested in finishing our basement. we hear you

don't advise this. our basement is dry. why shouldn't we go ahead??

Jeff May: cmac: Finished basements are very often the source of mold and

odor problems. They MUST be kept dehumidified during the summer (relative

humidity below 50%) and kept warm in the winter, never below 65%. Most of

the finished basements that I inspect end up in the dumpster! Read the

chapter in my book on finished basements if you insist on proceeding.

cmac: jeff, thanks for the advice. we have a dehumidifer in the basement and

central air(i don't use that often). we plan on installing heat in the

finished basement. i plan on reading your book. any other advice you can

give me now before i can get your book?

Jeff May: cmac: Read the book, but not in bed at night! You'll see why I say

this.

Moldy: After a battery of negative medical tests, I'm wondering if there's a

connection here? If so, how do I clean the black & brown mold from the

painted walls of the foundation?

Jeff May: Moldy: There are thousands of possible mold allergens and hundreds

of possible insect allergens, few of which can ever be tested for;

therefore, a negative allergy test doesn't necessarily mean that you don't

have a problem in a house.

Rotxa: Hello Mr. May. Thanks for making yourself available for this chat.

I'd like to start by asking you if you know of a specific test that a doctor

can use to determine if somebody has mold " inside " his or her body. I heard

a horrific tale of somebody with a " colony " in his esophagus and general

throat area.

Jeff May: Rotxa: Actually having mold growing inside your body is quite

unusual, although there are two places that I am familiar with where this

occurs: in the sinus cavities and in the lungs (aspergillosis). I recently

heard a lecture by a Dr. Rimaldi, who actually described finding a mushroom

growing within a sinus cavity. I'm not aware of any tests for determining if

there is mold growing elsewhere.

laura: I suffer from chronic sinus headaches and I am always tired. I have

noticed mold growing in my shower walls. Could this be making me sick?

Jeff May: : It's very unlikely that mold from the shower walls are the

problem. Obviously, this should be cleaned, but the exposures from carpeting

or bedding tend to be more significant. You should improve the ventilation

in your bathroom to minimize the excess moisture. You can also increase the

insulation in the ceiling and the outside walls to minimize moisture and

mildew problems.

MikeW: Jeff, I was exposed to mold in a previous job (they " tested " and

found nothing even though I could smell it). I'm still sick and it's been

two months. Do you know of any specific tests a doctor could perform to

prove that it is mold-related?

Jeff May: MikeW: It is almost impossible to prove " in the legal sense " mold

exposures. If you smell mold, there is a mold problem! Very often,

inadequate testing is done and most often, this is why mold problems go

undetected. If you feel better on the weekends, when you are not at work,

then that is telling you that the workspace is a problem for you. But very

often, people have problems at work also have exposures at home. Make sure

you have minimized your exposures to allergens at home.

cynthia: We have spoken before regarding our toxic moldy home in Millis. Now

we are being told we are not allowed to have an experienced mold remediation

company, that should carry mold pollution liability insurance. The company

being offered to us has 20 citations against them, from the lead and

asbestos MA Occupational Safety Division, do you think this is resonable

when the insurance companies denial of services resulted in our house

getting so sick in the first place?

Jeff May: : We should talk about this privately.

AmeeD: Hi Jeff, the story on 7news tonight seemed exactly like what could be

going on in my home...i have terribly allergies, watery eyes and sneezing

especially, as well as itchy throat and my basement reeks of must. could

that be a sign of mold? how do i go about having the house checked without

tearing up the walls?

Jeff May: AmeeD: There are many possible sources of mold in the basement,

particularly if it's finished spaces. If you are reacting so quickly, most

likely, the source of the allergen is not a wall cavity. You should probably

do some air testing, and surface dust testing. And don't tear up walls until

you have this done, for fear of releasing more allergens into the air.

Remember, about a third of the " fresh " air in a house in the winter comes

from a basement!

robyn: Jeff, I just recovered from an asthma problem because of our

woodstove. The former owner of our house also had a cat and had a woodshop

where he made furniture in our basement. We have wood floors but I'm

wondering if sawdust could be in the air and if it could be a problem.

Jeff May: robyn: If you are allergic to cats, you must eliminate all the

house dust. Be sure to check the refrigerator, radiators, etc. Use only a

HEPA vacuum! It is unlikely that the sawdust could be a problem, but if

there is exposed fiberglass insulation in the basement, it may be full of

sawdust, which can be a nutrient for mold growth. In basements that do not

have adequate dehumidification, fiberglass can become severely infested with

mold and mites (30% of basement ceiling fiberglass that I have sampled was

moldy).

janet: I have only been home for 24 hours and I am again experiencing the

systems described on the 6:00 News tonight. We have a down pillow but that

is all the down we own. When I am out of the house I am fine, otherwise I am

so tired I spend most of my time in bed.

Jeff May: Janet: It sounds as though something in the house is definitely

bothering you. You are not imagining it. If you react so quickly, it is

probably something that is in the air in the house. It's important to find

the source. It's probably not just the pillow, although if you feel much

worse in the morning after sleeping in the pillow, this could be part of the

problem.

Jeff May: Make sure that you do not have any down quilts or pillows on your

bed. You should contact DACI Lab at s Hopkins University and get a

dust-mite test kit.

Moldy: Jeff, Can I just spray paint over the mold or does it need to be

proffesionally cleaned, then repainted? Thanks for your adept advice!

Jeff May: Moldy: It depends where it is. Sometimes, spray painting is

adequate, but you really have to protect yourself from the spores whenever

mold is disturbed, and you must always eliminate the moisture source first;

otherwise, the mold will reappear. Sometimes, surface mold is an indication

of a hidden water problem inside a wall, and sometimes, the problem can be

quite extensive. Spores may get into the house from the wall cavity.

bmctighe: Where can I get those bedding covers that you recommend?

Jeff May: bmctighe: There is this wonderful little store in Lexington called

Home Environmental. They sell dust mite covers, HEPA vacuum cleaners, air

filters, etc.

cynthia: My youngest is 2 and tested positve for cat allergy only with skin

tests, I wash down comforters in hot water bimonthly do you still think

mites could be the cause?

Jeff May: : If you have an allergic child, you should not use down

pillows or comforters anywhere in the house, nor furniture cushions that

have down. If your child is allergic to cats at that age, she is probably

exposed to a source of cat allergen. Cat allergen lasts forever, and just

the dust from a refrigerator can cause problems. Buy a HEPA vacuum and

clean, clean, clean, including the bottoms of baseboard convectors, if you

have them. Think about places that you have never thought about, and then

clean them. Actually, washing thick bedding too frequently can create a

problem. I recommend placing bedding in the drier once a week. That should

be plenty to kill lots of mites!

wssick: Thank you for your research into the aliments associated with mold.

I am fearful of losing my job since the school I work in is making me very

sick. They deny it but I've had a private lab analyze one site and located

42 different mold colonies. Help!

Jeff May: wssick: On the job problems, particularly in schools, are huge.

There are many websites dealing with these, and the more teachers are aware,

the more likely it will be that solutions will be found. I am planning to

look at these issues for my next book.

rdcmcd: what type of smptoms could you experience if you were sensitive to

dust

Jeff May: rdcmcd: Allergy symptoms. Look it up on the internet.

wssick: Are there any molds that cause permanent damage to your respiratory

system?

Jeff May: wssick: Long term exposure to mold spores can cause interstitial

fibrosis, but typically, people get better after their exposures to mold are

eliminated. Allergy symptoms may be away within hours to days, but more

serious lung conditions may take months to decrease. Mycotoxins are

chemicals in some mold spores that can cause acute symptoms, such as nose

bleeds. Long term exposures to mycotoxins may even be the source of some

cancers (Balkin endemic nephropathy BEN may be due to exposure to ochratoxin

from Aspergillus).

moldboy: Mr. May, do the covers you can purchase for your bed and pillows

work?

Jeff May: moldboy: Pillow and mattress covers are the single most important

strategy in controlling bedroom allergens. Make sure you purchase covers

that do not have holes, and they must seal at the ends.

moldyattic: tonite you talked about a house in hudson, NH which had mold in

the attic. Please indicate how this was determined. Thanks, Judy

Jeff May: Judy - I didn't investigate that house, and I have no idea what

the conditions were.

rebelsun2000: We live in an old farm house in Cumberland, R.I. which is

approxe . 150 years old. We rent the first floor of the house, and have

noticed what appears to be black mold under the baseboard radiators in the

dining room. The people renting the 2nd floor have experienced respiratory

problems, as have we. Our landlord has had the carpets cleaned, but refuses

to do any more with regards to water leaking in from the outside, or to

investigate or repair the mold problem. Are there laws to protect us, and is

there any way we can either have the mold problem checked, or to compel her

to correct the problem. Last year at this time, pipes broke in the house,

the landlord received the insurance settlement, and would only have a

restoration company come in to dry out the water in the house, but has yet

to repair the subfloor, carpets, ceiling, etc. damaged in the flood. How

serious can this mold problem be? Our landlord does not believe the mold can

be a health issue, and as an atty. she does not believe she is responsible

for our illnesses or to repair the house. Any information you can provide us

will be very helpful and appreciated.

Jeff May: rebelsun2000: The most likely source of your problem is the

carpeting. Even though it has been washed, it is probable that there are

still allergens and irritants present. You should try covering it all up

with some impermeable material. If this is not feasible, get some plastic

runner and only walk on that. If the black under the radiator is in

carpeting, it could be mold; but if it is in wood floor, it probably is not

an exposure issue. Be sure that all the ducts are cleaned (with HEPA vacuum)

from all the radiators.

bagualzinha: The pilot light on my gas stove goes out all the time. When I

come home from work, the kitchen will have a very strong gas odor. I

normally just relight the pilot light and forget about it. Should I be

concerned about what is leaking out?

Jeff May: bagualzinha: If I were you, I'd get the gas company to adjust the

gas flow to the pilot so that it doesn't go out.

PhyllisF: Jeff, I just put new carpeting in my home and I've had chronic

dizziness, headaches and sinus problems. If the " off-gassing " is a problem,

will steam cleaning it solve the problem?

Jeff May: Phyllis: Cleaning a carpet will not resolve the off-gassing issue.

Some carpets off-gas strongly for a few days, and others for years. If you

notice the characteristic chemical carpet smell (most often due to

4-phenylcyclohexene - a byproduct of the backing manufacturing), this may be

causing your difficulties. Another possibility is that the carpet contains

biological contaminants from the water used during manufacture. Treatment

with steam vapor machine, such as a DeLongi (available from the Home

Environmental Store) might help destroy the biological allergens, but the

only way you eliminate the off-gassing is to eliminate the carpeting.

Labs in Vermont can test carpet pieces for off-gassing.

cynthia: After an unsuccessful attempt to save our home, (a contractor

flooded the walls) we learned that only 15% of all molds are visable. Could

you let viewers know that " hidden mold " exists?

Jeff May: : Most wall cavities in older buildings contain some mold

growth, particularly if there has been leakage. Often, the presence of this

mold can neither be seen nor experienced, because there are no air flows out

of the wall. Sometimes, there can be strong odors and if there are air flows

out of the wall, through an electric outlet for example, spores may actually

enter the room air.

x4635: Jeff, How would I go about having my home inspected by you?

Jeff May: Jx4635 -Just call my office at 617-354-0152 and ask for Connie.

She schedules our appointments.

: Lets talk about these expensive dust-covers? I sneeze and wheeze

year round and the Allegra & Nasonex aren't doing the trick. This could be a

big investment to cover all the mattresses, box springs and pillows in my

home Are they worth the money?

Jeff May: - What's more expensive? Years of medication? Or the

covers? You needn't cover box springs right away, because dust mites really

only thrive in the pillows and mattress. If you want to solve the problem,

you MUST cover.

ColleenMc: Recently my husband tore out the ceiling in the basement and

found many mouse nests and feces from mice. Then he started smelling a

strong smell in the attic and basement which makes his throat sore and makes

him feel naseous. I cannot smell it. He is more sensitive to dust, etc. than

I am. He would like to know what you would liken a mold smell to. About a

year and a half ago we had bedbugs three different times. It was soon after

we moved into this house and it happened in our boys room which is the room

the attic opens into. What should we do about the recent smell or what do

you think it is? I just gave you some background on us. That's why the

information about the bedbugs, etc. Thank you. ColleenMc

Jeff May: Colleenmc: Actually, this problem is extremely common, and the

odor in many older homes (and even some newer ones!) is due to rodent

infestations in walls and fiberglass insulation. To get rid of all the odor

problems, you have to get rid of all the fiberglass to which the rodents had

access. Use great caution during removal, because you can spread a variety

of biological agents. For any type of insect problem, the safest treatment

is using steam vapor from a DeLongi. Never use pesticides in the bedroom.

B: Hi Jeff. My wife and I recently moved into an old house. How can I

safely remove wallpaper that has black stains (mold or mildew) on it without

causing the toxins to be air-borne?

Jeff May: B: Mold spores only become airborne during disturbances if

they are dry. As long as the problem is not too extensive, you can spray all

the wallpaper with water containing a small amount of bleach. Make sure that

the wallpaper is fully soaked before you attempt to remove it. To be safe,

wear a mask and isolate the area from the rest of the house. If there is an

extensive mold problem, it should be dealt with professionally.

Marisa: My home is approximately 8 years old. Over the past 5 years I have

been experiencing a black soot like substance covering my walls and even in

the cabinets. I went up into the attic and found that the wall was also

covered with this black substance. Any recommendations you have will be

appreciated.

Jeff May: Marisa - Most likely, you have been burning jar candles. It only

takes one jar candle to blacken a house.

Shelby: We recently determined that we had a ventilation problem in our

attic. We have had moisture for two winters and now there is quite a bit of

mold, some of which is black. Can we kill this with a bleach solution? If

not what should we be doing to protect our family?

Jeff May: Shelby: It is very unusual for the black mold in attics to be the

toxic kind (Stachybotrys), because Stachybotrys only grows on constantly wet

cellulose (such as the paper in drywall). You should certainly improve the

ventilation to minimize future problems. Also check to be sure that there

are not large sources of house air flowing into the attic. Look around the

plumbing stacks, chimneys. Sometimes, if the mold problem isn't too

extensive, sealing with paint (after eliminating moisture sources) is all

that is necessary.

stacey: We noticed that in our attic, on one side there is black mold

(sometimes with ice crystals) growing on the underside of the roof, between

the 2x8s. I have been told its probably due to lack of circulation. What do

you think and how would you recommend fixing the problem and getting rid of

the black mold

Jeff May: Stacey: The North-facing gable is colder because it doesn't get

sun in the winter. Warm air leaks up from the house into the attic and

carries moisture with it. Stop the leakage and increase the ventilation.

JackLydon: Jeff, I'm trying to do my best to eliminate the problems. I have

an electrostatic air cleaner as part of my 2 HVAC systems in the house. We

have Carbon monoxide detectors in the house and and they haven't gone off.

As a preventative measure, should I run my basement dehumidifier in the

Winter, even thought it's so cold down there?

Jeff May: Jack: Do not run the dehumidifier in the winter: a waste of

energy. Electrostatic air cleaners do not really solve any problems; if

there is mold growth or allergens inside the furnace or air conditioning

coil, the system has to be cleaned before any filter can do any good. I

never recommend electrostatic, electronic or any type of washable filter.

Use only media filters. Have your system professionally cleaned by a company

such as Envirotech in Stoneham, MA.

janet: Thanks Jeff. It's Janet again. Where do I go to test the air? Should

I contact DAC Labs at Hopkins?

Jeff May: Janet - E-mail me at jmhi@...

JeannieC: I've lived in several different houses but have suffered from

generalized fatigue for years. If it's something in the house, what's the

most likely culprit?

Jeff May: Jeannie - This is an enormous question. Read the book and try to

unravel the mystery.

cynthia: The mold remediation industry is young and dangerous. Do you have

any suggestions for new statutory provisions or a licensing system that

would improve the standards in MA? TX and CA have proposals already.

Jeff May: : I don't know that any type of legislation will really

help the situation. The most important thing now is for everyone to

understand what the problems are and how they can be solved. Part of the

California legislation involves trying to establish a scientific basis for

the problems as well as the remediation efforts. I guess, unfortunately,

there has been a lot of attention focused on the really obvious mold

problems and in some cases, the attention has not led to productive results.

In reality, most of the worst mold problems that I see are invisible in

people's carpets and furniture.

cynthia: Does MA sanitary code provide standards for acceptable indoor air

mold limits in rental housing?

Jeff May: - No. Legislation has been proposed, but determining

actual permissible limits for exposures to mold is going to be an extremely

difficult, if not impossible, task.

robyn: Thanks for your response! One other question: how do you test the air

in your house?

Jeff May: robyn - Go to my website at www.jmhi.com - and read my book.

TerryD: Jeff, If the previous owner of my home knew of the mold and water

leak problems I'm having, do I have any recourse?

Jeff May: TerryD - I suggest that you talk to an attorney, but this is

something that would be very difficult to prove.

Dawn: My home tested positive for high levels of mold contamination. My son

who was born in the house, (and lived there for 3 years is autistic. The

family we bought the house from also has a child with autism who was born

there, and their other son that was born there is developmentally delayed?

Could this be from the mold?

Jeff May: Dawn - I would be very careful about the company that did the

testing. For example, settle plate testing, in which a Petri dish is left

open for 15 minutes to an hour, is useless. I have no idea if mold could

cause autism, but exposures to elevated levels of mold spores can be very

unhealthy for sensitized individuals.

ColleenMc: Can one spray for dust mites? If you cover the beds and pillows

with allergy covers do the mites die or are they locked up inside the cover?

Jeff May: Colleenmc: I don't recommend using any kind of sprays. For

example, tannic acid can help reduce the level of allergens temporarily, but

this is not a long-term solution. Mattress and pillow covers are long-term

solutions, because they simultaneously prevent the entry of necessary

moisture and the release of mite allergens. As soon as the moisture source

stops (sweat from our bodies), mites die.

terry: My parents' home is so loaded with mothballs that I can't stand to be

there even briefly. Everything sent to us from there must be thrown out. Now

my mother has dizziness, nausea and generalized malaise. Can it be the moth

balls?

Jeff May: terry - Exposure to vapors from moth balls (it's either

paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene) can cause problems for those who are

chemically sensitized. I believe that some people become sensitized from the

exposure.

ALEXSIS: Jeff, can you recomend a Boston area allergist who specializes in

detecting home based allergies/illnesses?

Jeff May: sis - Dr. Monafo in Townsend, MA specializes in

dealing with mold problems.

x4635: I have a problem with the ceilings in my home. I get black lines

across my ceilings in the same locations every time I paint or wash the

ceilings the lines always come back. I have asked many people about the

problem and I have tried all the suggestions they have given me, but to no

avail. How can I tell if it is wihin the walls or in the fiberglass in the

attic. It is definitely a huge problem. My older son has terrible allegies

and I am wondering if it has any connection?

Jeff May: x4635: The problem is called " ghosting " or " thermal telegraphing. "

The black lines develop at colder wall and ceiling areas. The deposition is

usually due to soot from jar candles or other soot sources, such as poorly

vented gas fireplaces, underground parking garages, or kerosene lanterns.

cynthia: Our home has forced hot water base board heat with rusty covers

(because of a previous pipe burst) I have wiped them down but removing the

covers is very difficult. How about a hair dryer to clean them out?

Jeff May: - You have to bite the bullet and take them apart. Don't

use your hair dryer. You will be blowing dust around and there will be no

point in cleaning them.

bmctighe: Is there a place locally where I can get your book?

Jeff May: bmctighe: You can buy the book through Amazon.com, and some

and Nobles carry it. Home Environmental in Lexington also carries the book.

ann: If you put bedding in the dryer weekly, avoid down, and vacuum will

you be doing just about all there is(in a mold-free home)?

Jeff May: Ann - These are strategies for keeping dust mite levels down

(and use a HEPA vacuum). Mold is an entirely different issue.

angel: Hi, I have been getting major dust all over my house I have to say I

am a clean freak. and ready to have a break down. I've had everyone from the

chimney man to the board of health here. The furnace and chimney were looked

at and all repaired about three months ago when the fire department red

tagged it. That was supposed to be the problem but I’m still getting it

every place dishes, food wrappers tables rugs ect... My living room curtains

and rug I replaced along with ALL my blinds when it was so called fixed if

you move a piece of furniture it is 4 shades brighter under it evenly. my

curtain and blinds look 20 years old or like they've been in a fire PLEASE

HELP I don't know what to do. All our throats burn and we get migraines , My

husband has gotten chest pains and my son and I are always short of breath.

Jeff May: Angel - I am very sorry to hear about this problem; unfortunately,

many " experts " try to solve problems before they know what they are. It is

VERY simple to determine what the problem is by looking at the dust under a

microscope. Probably 80 to 90% of the dust in a house is skin scales from

our bodies. This dust is usually gray. Another big source of dust can be

duct work contaminated with construction dust, such as sawdust or drywall.

JIMMY: I HAVE BLACK MOLD & MILDEW IN MY ATTIC ABOVE MY BATHROOM VENTS HOW

CAN I CLEAR THIS UP

Jeff May: Jimmy- The moisture from the attic exhaust fan should vent

directly to the exterior, either through a soffit grille or roof vent, made

for the purpose.

ann: what is a HEPA vacuum?

Jeff May: Ann - A HEPA vacuum has a very efficient filter on it that

prevents the release of allergens contained in the discharge air.

Jeff May: Good night everybody. Thank you for your participation and be

well. We would also like to thank WHDH for giving us this opportunity to

converse with you. Jeff

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