Sick Building Syndrome In Newark New Jersey – What Can Be Done?

What is sick building syndrome?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.

UV and negative ion air purifierFor 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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Certified Mold Inspection New Jersey Tips

Certified mold inspection New Jersey: 5 TipsObviously, serious mold problems in New Jersey aren’t unique to the State. Mold has become a serious issue and has had a tremendous impact on people all over the united States.

This article was written at the time of Hurricane Ike and in reference to the concerns of the people of Galveston. Nonetheless, this is a great source of information that features five tips on how to choose reputable mold removal companies in New Jersey should you be in the position where you cannot do the NJ mold remediation yourself.

Learn how to avoid the fly-by-night fakes, find quality certified mold inspection and protect your wallet from unnecessary expenses and costs. First, here is a video about quality certified mold inspection New Jersey and NY  from 800Mold

Certified Mold Inspection and Mold Removal Basics: 5 Tips To Help You Avoid Scammers

Due to the recent bad weather and storm surge related to Hurricane Ike, Galveston mold removal services have become one of the most in-demand needs in the area. Unfortunately, those impacted by storm related damage are increasingly prone to further victimization by workers pretending to be mold remediation experts. Learn how to protect your finances, your home and the health of your family when contracting for certified mold inspection cleanup and removal by following these quick tips:

1. Verify that business license of the company. Make sure the company you are doing business with is fully licensed, bonded and insured – plus certified to perform the work of household mold removal in compliance with recognized standards.

2. Find out how long the company has been in business. Ask what type of warranty or guarantee on work is provided for certified mold inspection and removal. Mold removal isn’t as easy as it may appear – heavily contaminated areas may require extensive remediation or repair; spores can spread throughout the air vents of a home only to reappear weeks or even months later. Make sure work will be done right the first time – not only will it reduce the long term cost of further repairs and escalating insurance (not to mention declining property values) but it also helps keep your family safe from the potential health risks associated with mold.

3. Get written estimates. Before contracting for certified mold inspection and any major work to be performed, obtain written estimates and an anticipated time for completion in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and costly delays. Don’t’ be afraid to shop around for second opinions especially if a specific estimate seems high or you don’t fully understand what is included in the work.

4. Find a certified mold inspection company willing to work with your insurance policy. Chances are you may have a lot of unscheduled expenses ranging from high gasoline and hotel costs to replacing belongings. Dealing with a company willing and able to work directly with your insurance provider is one less thing to worry with.

5. Deal with a company that cares. In addition to fly-by-night vendors that suddenly crop up everywhere, it is essential to understand what is included and what isn’t when contracting for office or house mold removal. Work with a company willing to handle everything from start to finish; mold removal, air vent cleaning to remove spores, upholstery and rug cleaning, disposal, water damage to floors and carpeting etc.

 Certified Mold Inspection New Jersey and Video

Although it might sound like a tall order, it is possible to have everything done with just one call if you go with a reputable nationwide company like Apex certified mold inspection and removal. Apex offers Mold Removal and complete home care solutions.

Here’s a video from respected mold remediation company in NJ. Apex Mold Specialists specializes in mold inspections and testing as well as environmental monitoring, mold detection, black toxic mold testing, mold remediation and mold removal in New Jersey and New York If your home is in need of mold remediation NJ removal, they can be at your door quite quickly.

Here is that video for certified mold inspection and mold removal in New Jersey

Related news and information about mold issues: What people are saying

Stop Black Mold In Your New Jersey House
I was completely torn apart by not knowing what to do with my mold problem. I lost everything […

Buyer Beware Of The Discount Cheap Home Inspections
In New Jersey some of the lower price bottom feeder home inspection companies are teetering on bankruptcy. Consumers may believe they are getting a great deal.

WNYC – The Leonard Lopate Show: Mold & Dangerous Household Chemicals
Mold lives and grows where there is no light, low air movement, and moderate temperatures. Mold is absolutely not going to get near a light bulb if it can help it.

How To Get Rid Of Structural Mold
Household mold removal of the many different varieties of mold, black or green, that can live in your house, one of them, stachybotrys, throws off spores.

Combating Mold – Home Improvement And Homeowner Advice On Mold
If the affected material is porous, it should be removed and thrown away. If the porous material mold is extensive, you should contact professionals to gather and remove. Lastly, never and I mean never mix household cleaners.

By: Eliz b

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Kiwi provides Galveston Mold Removal services.

Mold Air Testing and Home Tests For Mold

Mold Air Testing: Sometimes it can be a do it yourself jobAt times, you may have an excellent reason to want to conduct quality mold air testing in your home or office. Be aware however, home tests for mold that use either an air sampling method or a surface test with swab (or both) are not always needed. Of course, it will be up to you to make the final decision.

One general rule of thumb is that if you actually see the mold growing, you don’t need a test to tell you it is there. If people in the home are, however, getting sick, and you’re not sure what is causing their illness, a mold testing kit could do much to answer your questions.

This article below will also help in the decision process when it comes to mold air testing and home tests for mold.

First: Watch This Video about The Hidden Dangers Of Mold Exposure

Seven Reasons You Might Need Mold Air Testing

Think you don’t need mold air testing? You might reconsider after reading about these common mold concerns. Here are the top reasons you might need mold testing and no even know it.

Reason #1: You love antiques! Few people associate mold with art lovers but the fact remains, your love of antiques and heirloom quality rugs, fine furniture or other common tapestry items might put your home or office at risk for mold contamination. That musty odor often associated with age is often mold hidden deep in the fibers of fabrics, furnishing and other fine tapestries or linens. Mold spores are hardy – they can lay dormant for years until the right condition presents itself then viola’ – the spores have spread and you are now at risk.

Reason #2: You found a slow leak. Whether it was a leaky roof or broken pipe, slow leaks may cause a humid environment that makes the perfect breeding ground for mold spores especially if located near organic materials like wood or even carpet padding and fibers. Mold air testing, cleanup and a thorough inspection should be conducted to make sure the problem is eliminated.

Reason #3: You had a major flood. Major flooding – whether from burst pipes or storm damage – can result in the growth of mold and mildew in as little as 40 to 72 hours. Time is of the essence when dealing with water related damage – consider home tests for mold that use surface and mold air testing methods anytime you have experienced major flooding.

Reason #4: You have a humid area of the home. Basements are notorious for high humidity levels so in addition to performing a mold inspection, it is a good idea to consider mold air testing to verify what the naked eye might miss.

Reason #5: You are buying a home that you know little about. Any time you don’t know much about a home or piece of real estate it is a good idea to perform an inspection – unfortunately, most building inspections don’t routinely do mold air testing. It is usually a separate inspection or test. Take time to have it done anyway – it could save you more money in the long term.

Reason #6: You have unusual allergic or other health symptoms that could be caused by mold. A home test for mold is a good way to rule out potential health related issues stemming from your home. A top rated professional home mold test kit comes complete with a lab report letting you know exactly what you’re dealing with. It’s a small price for peace of mind.

Reason #7: You are selling a home. Don’t be caught off-guard by unpleasant surprises – instead, find out about any potential problems in advance then take care of them to make sure you get top price and don’t frighten away would be buyers. Go with a reputable company like Kiwi services that provides home mold testing, New Jersey mold removal services to handle your every need with just one quick call. From mold remediation to floor cleaning, your home will look its best and be ready for sale in no time at all.

This video features a home allergy mold air testing kit and news story about the effects of indoor air pollution.

More Mold Air Testing and Mold Killing News and Products That Can Help:

House mold cleaning kit, safe, non toxicTotal Household Cleaning Kit Is All Natural 100% Biodegradable And Environmentally Safe
Powerful enough to prevent mold from amplifying, and helps prevent mold from ever returning.

Home Mold Testing – New Jersey – The Riverhead News
Once they did the mold test [in September], the industrial hygienist, they said get out of the house immediately, that we have unlivable mold contamination throughout our entire home. An attorney representing Westminster Communities, which has overseen impressive residential development projects in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, said the company this week arranged to send an engineer to inspect the colonial-style home.

The importance Of UV Light And Negative Ions For Air Purification
These are now proven, in five different ways, to eliminate harmful dust, mold, allergens, pet odors and even help reduce allergy and asthma symptoms more than any other indoor air purifier

Clearing The Air On Indoor Air Cleaners
Regardless of whether an indoor environment is the product of new construction or renovation, providing good indoor air quality starts during the design and construction phases and continues throughout a building’s life.

EIFS in New Jersey Home Inspection
The trapped water can cause wood rot, and is very conducive to mold growth. As a New Jersey home inspector it is imperative for me to identify this type of siding to my clients. When inspecting a home if I come across EIFS, I always recommend further testing by an EIFS specialist because if water is trapped behind the EIFS it is very expensive to remove all the exterior siding on the home.

By: Eliz b

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Kiwi provides mold air testing and mold removal services.

Mold Inspection NJ : Certified Mold and Moisture Inspections

This is a very thorough article that covers several great mold inspection NJ tips for New Jersey homeowners as well as mold testing information. Of course these mold inspection instructions are excellent even if you don’t live in NJ. If you have come to a point where you need mold abatement and remediation services in New Jersey, take a moment to read this information from a certified mold pro.

Mold Inspection NJ – Tips For Homeowners

I once received a call from a potential mold inspection client who feared that she may have hidden mold in her walls. She was concerned about possible hidden mold because a mold inspector told her that the ants observed in her property were a very likely sign of hidden “house mold” because ants eat mold.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Forget About House Ants

Before we discuss a few basic tips on how to look for mold and moisture problems around the house lets talk about how not to find mold. Do not depend on ants to let you know if you have mold. Ants are not a sign of mold infestation in your house. They are a sign that you have scraps of food or droplets of water in the house that the ants have discovered.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Check For Mold Odors

So what are some signs of mold? If you have had a leak then the first sign of mold may be musty / moldy odors in the vicinity of the leak, check for these odors. Of course you do not want to be looking for or sniffing for mold, or Mold inspection NJ could reveal mold as the source for allergiestouching mold if their is even a slight chance that you may have a compromised immune system, allergy, asthma, or any other conditions that would put you at risk of a negative reaction resulting from any form of mold exposure. In addition this article in no way will equip you to conduct your own mold inspection NJ, it is just intended to give you a few simple tips. If you suspect a New Jersey mold problem, get certified mold and moisture inspections done for your NJ house and look at mold testing.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Check For Odors Near Your AC Ducts

Another mold inspection NJ trick is to check for mold in your house is to turn your AC off for a while, the longer the better but just several minutes will due if you have a serious problem. Next turn your AC back on and leave your thermostat alone for a while, turning it on and off to more than one cycle in several minutes can damage your compressor. Now immediately stand directly under the path of air flowing from a duct. If your AC unit or your homes duct work is contaminated with mold you will smell the musty mold odors blowing in your face. Remember do not do this if you are asthmatic, allergic to mold, or have a compromised immune system, do not do this if their exist any chance that you may have any of the above mentioned conditions or any health conditions that could become a problem as the result of exposure to mold.

In ducts the odors build up when the AC is off and may dissipate after the AC has been on for a while. Please note minor moldy odors and minor mold contamination are not unusual in AC units and may not cause a problem for most people. Having a mold inspector sample the air from your ducts may not do you much good because mold in AC units is often vegetative, in other words in may be growing without producing many spores. Further investigation by having an experienced and certified mold inspection NJ done inside your AC unit.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Look for Mold On AC Registers And Coils

Metal AC register grills become cold as air exiting your duct passes through them. If you have high humidity condensation may form on these registers. AC coils are designed to form condensation when you simply use your AC unit in the cooling mode; this feature helps the system to remove humidity from your air. AC registers in humid buildings and coils in any building have a good chance of forming a mold problem. The bottom sides of AC coils sometimes grow large amounts of velvety Grey cladosporium mold or clear jelly like bacteria masses, and AC register form black cladosporium mold. So check your AC registers & coils for mold or call a mold inspection NJ expert.


Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Look For Spots In Basements And Closets

Sometimes mold does not start as the result of a leak in your home but may occur as the result of humidity problems, in such cases the mold typically starts in areas with poor circulation such as in basements, closets, and bathrooms, and may spread if your homes humidity is above 60%RH to 65%RH. Mold growing on drywall in bathrooms is typically black cladosporium or it may be pen asp. In your homes closets powdery mildew like white or green spots of mold are common. To find these molds look for light spots on black clothes, luggage, and shoes, it does not show well on light colored clothes.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Look For Spots On Water Damaged Building Materials

Mold inspection NJ - Water issues are the number one concernSmall spots, smug marks, or a powdery residue in the area that became wet is a good indication of mold. Most mold spots are black, brown, green, or white. These initial growths of mold are typically very small at just a few millimeters across in the start. One way to tell a smudge mark, a bad paint job, or other marks and stains from mold is to rub it with a dry cloth.

Most molds will at least partially rub off or smear and leave a streak mark on the surface. This is because mold is intentionally designed to be friable (easily broken) in addition mold spores are intentionally designed to detach easily for dispersal.

Discoloration from scuff marks and paint etc will often not smear easily. Of course this method does not work all the time and is not full proof, but some times it is helpful to a Mold testing kit with lab report for New Jersey includes consultationdegree in providing some preliminary info on what you may be dealing with. The best way to tell if a stain is mold is mold testing. Mold testing NJ samples would involve taking a small amount of the mold and sending it to a lab.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Check Window Caulking

Hidden mold inside walls is common and one of the primary reasons for hidden mold inside walls is window leaks. If you have even minor hairline defects in your window caulking it may let small amounts of rain water or sprinkler system water into your walls. Moderately or seriously defective caulking causes many mold problems in this mold inspector’s experience.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Inspect Baseboards

When water enters walls if flows down and soaks into your baseboards and causes them to swell, when they dry they shrink. Swelling and shrinking causes baseboards to separate from the wall slightly, you will see a small crack between the top of the baseboard and the wall. Water in your walls that causes baseboards to separate from your walls means water in your walls that may have caused mold.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Check Tack Strips

Tack strips under your carpet will become stained and rapidly rot if you have water entering your walls. Water in your walls means possible mold in your walls. Peeling your carpet back to see the tack strip located under the perimeters of your carpets may loosen or even damage your carpet, so if your carpet is important to you don’t pull it up to check your tack strips.

Tips For Mold Inspection NJ – Don’t Forget Your Wallpaper

If heavy wall paper is installed in your New Jersey building or home, any moisture that enters these walls will become trapped behind the wall paper, moisture trapped behind wall paper mixed with wall paper glue is a perfect recipe for a serious mold problem. During mold inspections, wall paper is not typically peeled thus hidden mold may not always be discovered but it is common to find mold hidden behind wall paper. The vast majority of moldy wall paper is on perimeter walls, as apposed to on interior partition walls.

Perimeter walls are the walls of a building that abut the exterior of a building; these walls receive moisture from cracks and defective caulking on the exterior side of the walls. Mold inspection NJ homes means looking behind sections of wall paper that may reveal large amounts of hidden mold.

If you think you have a house mold problem, you may need mold inspection NJ pros to come out. If are concerned about possible resulting health problems, do not only rely on the tips from this article, do not rely on hungry ants, cheap mold inspectors, or divining rods. Hire a professional mold inspector who utilizes moisture meters, humidity meters, borescopes, and air samples to detect mold problems in your home and who provides professional NJ remediation recommendations.

Video showing certified mold water damage specialists in action.

Mold inspections and mold clean up kits are available.Non-Toxic, Biodegradable Mold Clean Up Kit With Respirator and Proper Gloves
If your New Jersey home needs mold cleaning and prevention for areas under 30 square feet, this will help.

Mold And Allergies – DIY Mold Services
Mold detection continues to expand their services in South Jersey. Mold Detection has grown the South Jersey market considerably over the past few months.

By: Daryl Watters -

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Daryl Watters is president of A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc.