Sick Building Syndrome In Newark New Jersey – What Can Be Done?
This is what I call, “a monster post.” It is about mold SBS and sick building syndrome in Newark New Jersey, the Bronx, New York and really applies to all other mold susceptible areas across the USA.
First, I have inserted a portion of a MSNBC news article titled: “Expert seeks proof of ‘sick building syndrome’ – Researcher believes toxic mold may cause illnesses via organic compounds”.
Next, a great article about a possible cure, at least major relief from mold exposure through the use of UV or ultra violet lighting. These units are actually used by the US Government to protect their employees and personnel. Also have TWO Videos below discussing News about mold problems and UV Air Purification
This is the exerpt from the MSNBC News Article. You can access the entire sick building news story at msnbc.com
Reuters: updated 4:12 p.m. MT, Tues., Oct. 28
Sick Building Syndrome Across The USA
“Fungus expert Joan Bennett did not believe in so-called toxic mold – the cause of “sick building syndrome” and many lawsuits – until her New Orleans home was flooded during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
When she got a whiff of the foul air that the black goo had created in her home, she decided to change her research focus and try to find out how and if the fungi that took over most of the flooded homes on the Gulf Coast might make people ill.
‘The overwhelming obnoxiousness of the odor and of the enveloping air made me start to believe in something that I had never believed in before – sick building syndrome,’ Bennett, of Rutgers University in New Jersey, told a news conference.”
The article continues: “Dr. David Goldman, a pediatrician in the Bronx, New York, said asthma rates in his borough are disproportionately high, and he blames in part Cryptococcus neoformins, a microbe found in pigeon droppings that causes disease in immune-compromised people.
‘We believe this fungus contributes to asthma by modulating the immune response,’ Goldman told the news conference.”
The Sick Building Syndrome Natural Cure – Ultraviolet UV Light Air Purifiers
Sick Building Syndrome: SBS: an occurrence in which people in a building suffer from acute symptoms related to time spent in that building. This problem, also known as SBS, is named as the cause of the ailments when no identifiable illness can be diagnosed as their source. While many have never heard of the term sick building syndrome, it is a real concern – one that affects more than 63 million people in America every year.
According to the United Nations World Health Organization, as many as thirty percent of office buildings around the world are afflicted with sick building syndrome. Sufferers may experience mold allergies, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, dry cough, dry or itchy skin, decreased concentration, and/or eye, nose, and throat irritation. Read more about mold related illness in New Jersey schools. Usually, these symptoms disappear not long after afflicted occupants leave the building – another sign that SBS is the source of the problem.
What Can Cause Sick Building Syndrome? What Can We Do?
A number of factors can lead to sick building syndrome. These factors could include chemical contaminants from inside the building itself, chemical pollutants from outdoor sources, and biological toxins, such as mold, bacteria, or viruses. All of the contributors to Sick Building Syndrome or SBS are an even greater threat when poor ventilation is an issue, especially during colder months when buildings are shut tight against outside air or in buildings which rely heavily on air conditioning rather than natural ventilation.
When sick building syndrome is suspected, a building investigation is usually conducted to determine what sources are causing or contributing to the SBS. During this type of investigation, information is collected regarding the building’s occupants, suspected sources of pollution, and the building’s HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning) system. After studying this information, hypotheses can be formed as to what is polluting the air and solutions can be put into action.
Ultimately, the goal is to rid the building of all contaminants, thus creating much cleaner air for breathing. Often, the best way to do this is through air purification along with increasing the building’s ventilation and removing the actual pollutant sources when possible. By utilizing all of these methods, sick building syndrome can be eliminated, allowing relief from symptoms and improved health for suffering occupants.
For air purification, the United States Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends using an air UV purification system that employs ultraviolet light along with the technology of negative ions and more. In fact, all government buildings rely on UV disinfection to control and eliminate dangerous micro-organisms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture further suggests an air purifier which generates negative ions to assist in eliminating bacteria and dust.
Ultraviolet light has been known for over fifty years to be an effective natural sterilizer of air pollution, and the UV disinfection of an ultraviolet air purification system works in the same way to destroy hazardous micro-organisms such as molds and viruses. As dangerous microbes pass by the lamp of a UV air purifier, their DNA is mutated, leaving them unable to reproduce and rendering them harmless. Air emitted from the ultraviolet air purification system is clean and thus, safe for breathing.
The filter of a UV air purifier aids in the process of air purification by actually removing particulates from the air, including volatile organic compounds such as those emitted by carpets, manufactured wood products, cleaning agents, upholstery, and copy machines. Although these common furnishings seem harmless, the VOC’s (volitile organic compounds) they emit are known to cause both acute and chronic health problems. A filter, as utilized by an ultraviolet air purification system, will capture 99.97% of these particulates as small as three-tenths of a micron in size.
In combination with ultraviolet light, negative ions provide additional protection against fine particles such as bacteria and dust. The negative ions which are released by a UV air purifier attract the positively charged particulates, virtually pulling them from the air and causing them to fall to surfaces where they can be vacuumed or dusted, rather than inhaled. An ultraviolet air purification system which incorporates the benefits of UV disinfection, a HEPA filter, and negative ions offers excellent protection.
While a UV air purifier is important to eliminating SBS, it is essential to remember the significance of proper ventilation along with the removal of pollutant sources whenever possible. For example, HVAC systems should be cleaned regularly, and areas where chemicals are unmistakable, such as copy rooms, should be sufficiently vented to the outdoors. By incorporating UV disinfection with adequate ventilation and a clean environment, sick building syndrome in Newark New Jersey, New York, New Orleans and elsewhere, will be eradicated and afflicted occupants will experience immediate relief.
Read more articles about Mold Remediation New Jersey
Watch this video featuring an ABC news report out of New York discussing mold and sick building syndrome. After being diagnosed with various diseases, tenants in a housing complex realize toxic, mold living in their walls, floors and doorways was the cause of their problems.
Additional information, news, blog snippetts and more about SBS and UV lighting:
We Turned Homes From Mold Infected Sick Building Syndrome Structures To Clean And Sanitized Fresh Places To Live
Make sure there were no signs left of any visible mold, thank you. This has saved me a hefty mold inspection and remediation bill of a few thousand dollars. – Steve P., New Jersey.
Clean air with ultra violet offers low-maintenance, energy efficient products that will minimize indoor air pollution.
New Jersey Mold In There Someplace: The Quaker Agitator
The doc recommends, however, that her classroom be checked for mold. This is the same mentality that builds a new school building but which won’t install air conditioning, even though here in Jersey, we can get 90 degree days as early as May and as late as October.
Testing Building Envelope Systems Using Infrared Thermal Imaging
Grouped together as “sick building syndrome,” these can stem from inadequate HVAC performance, moisture trapped in walls, mold growth on cold, damp surfaces and inadequate air change rates.
Sustainable Architecture: Volitile Organic Compounds Explained
VOCs have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility and are suspected of causing sick building syndrome type symptoms. This is because many VOCs have been known to cause sensory irritation and central nervous system symptoms.
Mold At The Grand Floridian?! Eww!
From Fears of Sick Building Syndrome Sends Disney Guests Packing According to Dryout Inc : The Grand Floridian Hotel has discovered extensive mold.
By: Mary Coyle
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