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Mold discovery, remediation affect health
By Nicole Chillino
When a portion of a home gets wet and stays wet for an extended amount of time, there is a possibility for dangerous mold to form.
The families of Debbie Edmondson and Andrea Fabry, both Tri-Lakes area residents, discovered mold can have a lot of harmful side effects and its removal can be costly.
Fabry and her family had their home’s mold mitigated a few times before deciding it was no longer livable. The home had two types of mold, stachybotrys and chaetomium, both of which can be harmful to people’s health.
Fabry said these molds feed in dark areas. She advises if discoloration is seen on the ceiling or wall, pay attention to it.
“When you see mold, don’t touch or try to clean up,” Edmondson said.
“Do not cut into it or pull up the carpet,” Fabry said, adding this can spread the mold spores.
Edmondson, whose home has aspergillus versicolor mold, said it is also not possible to clean off the mold with bleach because it could make it worse. In her case, the mold appeared after an area of her house flooded and everything in the area had been dried.
She suggested, if an area of a home has flooded, calling the insurance company immediately because most will pay for flood cleanup and may prevent mold from forming.
Both women suggest testing the home’s air for mold.
Edmondson had a flood restoration company come to her home and said there are a few questions a homeowner should ask to make sure he or she hires a credible company. Ask if it is certified in mold remediation and mold testing. If the workers do not have the certifications, even if they say they have taken a class, this is not acceptable, she said.
She also suggests homeowners check the standards listed by the Enivronmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web sites for mold remediation.
The families of Debbie Edmondson and Andrea Fabry, both Tri-Lakes area residents, discovered mold can have a lot of harmful side effects and its removal can be costly.
Fabry and her family had their home’s mold mitigated a few times before deciding it was no longer livable. The home had two types of mold, stachybotrys and chaetomium, both of which can be harmful to people’s health.
Fabry said these molds feed in dark areas. She advises if discoloration is seen on the ceiling or wall, pay attention to it.
“When you see mold, don’t touch or try to clean up,” Edmondson said.
“Do not cut into it or pull up the carpet,” Fabry said, adding this can spread the mold spores.
Edmondson, whose home has aspergillus versicolor mold, said it is also not possible to clean off the mold with bleach because it could make it worse. In her case, the mold appeared after an area of her house flooded and everything in the area had been dried.
She suggested, if an area of a home has flooded, calling the insurance company immediately because most will pay for flood cleanup and may prevent mold from forming.
Both women suggest testing the home’s air for mold.
Edmondson had a flood restoration company come to her home and said there are a few questions a homeowner should ask to make sure he or she hires a credible company. Ask if it is certified in mold remediation and mold testing. If the workers do not have the certifications, even if they say they have taken a class, this is not acceptable, she said.
She also suggests homeowners check the standards listed by the Enivronmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration Web sites for mold remediation.
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