The Mold Code Handbook: Expecting Moms and Children with Asthma Edition

By Darryl Morris

Its a four letter word and its everywhere its mold. And, while we cant live without it, we have to know how to live with it. For instance, in nature, mold plays a key role, but problems begin when mold runs amuck. This is when it can begin affecting things like our homes, health, and even agricultural crops. So, what can be done?

Here, we expose mold right where it lives. Thats right. We provide you with an insiders view into the world of mold and share practical tips and solutions to common mold problems. We suggest ways to comply with ordinances and show you how to protect not only your loved ones, but the places where you live and work. We help you to identify areas that have suffered water damage, but do not display easily identifiable signs.

In fact, this book was produced as the result of a recent scientific study that proves the authors research and findings, linking childhood asthma to three molds that are specific to water-damaged buildings.
And, since mold affects just about everyone and everything, this book is for anyone parents, pregnant women, homeowners, architects and engineers, building contractors and managers, municipalities and local government, real estate professionals, mold inspectors, doctors, lawyers and more.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475960594

Darryl Morris

About the Author Darryl Morris is a well-recognized industry leader. He is an aerobiologst who co-founded Midwest Aerobiology Labs, a leading third-party Indoor Air Quality Certification body, alongside renowned allergist, Dr. Joseph Leija. Today, their lab is a leading Mold DNA laboratory. Most recently, Morris has concentrated his work on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) education, consulting and the development of IAQ Guidelines for homes, schools and commercial buildings. For the past 6 years, he has been a public speaker on the topic of mold and how it affects our health and the environment.

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Midwest Aerobiology Labs.

All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted by section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Request for permission or further information should be addressed to the Publishers:

Midwest Aerobiology Labs

Crest Hill Illinois U.S.A

This Publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4759-6058-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-6059-4 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 12/05/2012

Contents

Introduction

1 .   Mold—The good, the bad and the ugly

2 .   How Mold Affects the Human Body

3 .   Hoarding and Mold: A Deadly Combination

4 .   Developing an Enforceable Mold Testing Standard Based on DNA Technology—Is it Possible?

5 .   Developing an Indoor Benign Environment Ordinance

6 .   Mold Guidelines

7 .   Mold Inspector’s Qualifications and Certifications

8 .   Mold Remediators Qualifications .   and Certifications

9 .   Mold Remediation Employees Qualifications .   and Certifications

10 .   Mold Analysis Laboratory Qualifications .   and Certification

11 .   Simple Solutions for Common Mold Problems

12 .   Mold Prevention Tips

Glossary of Common Terms

Resources

References

Appendix A (1 of 1)

Introduction

A recent study performed by a team of physicians and scientists from the University of Cincinnati, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has deduced that there are, in fact, three molds that are specifically linked to the development of childhood asthma:

1.   Aspergillus ochraceus

2.   Aspergillius unguis; and

3.   Penicillum variabile.

These findings are important because according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), asthma afflicts approximately 9% of school-aged children. And, direct medical costs of asthma are nearly $15 billion yearly, with several thousand deaths and millions of lost work and school days.

This cohort study suggests that exposure during infancy is linked to these three mold species that are common to water-damaged buildings. The study demonstrated that these molds were later associated with childhood asthma at the age of seven.

This is further significant because until now there has been a lack of quantitative, standardized methods to determine if a home indoor environment is sufficiently benign, not posing any serious health risks to future occupants.

Enter DNA-based technology. Clinical studies prove that DNA-based technology can be successfully used to identify and quantify molds common to water-damaged buildings. This brand new technology opens up the door to standardization for mold testing and mold inspections.

1

Mold—The good, the bad and the ugly

First, let’s define exactly what mold is. Molds are forms of fungi that occur naturally in the environment. They are in the earth and play an important role outdoors when it comes to breaking down matter such as plant debris. (More benefits can be read below.) In order for mold to reproduce, it makes tiny spores—just like some plants produce seeds. When indoors, mold spores move throughout the air and settle on various surfaces.

Typically, molds need moisture and food sources such as cloth, wood, drywall, etc. to grow. Now, mold may become troublesome if a wet surface is not dried up or promptly discarded. In fact, it will quickly grow within 24 to 48 hours. So, while mold is important in many ways, it also has some drawbacks. We need to be

Reviews for The Mold Code Handbook

[Angel Palomino · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I got cured from Herpes after Dr. Ojamo got me Detox and cleans from diseases and i have been doing alkaline. Thank you so much Dr Ojamo for opening my eyes and I know what and what not to eart. Thank you so much Dr. Ojamo