Acid Reflux Recovery Diet and Recipes Presents the Perfect Cold Weather Dinner

As the leaves start to turn to fall colors and in the evenings we are tempted to sit by a warm fire, hearty food comes to mind. The fall and winter bring a host of root vegetables, squashes greens and fruit from which hearty meals can be easily made. The challenge is to keep these dishes healthy – that means keeping them as alkaline as possible.

When attempting to reverse the symptoms of acid reflux, diet is probably the most important consideration. That old clich?, “You are what you eat”, has never been more true. If you eat food and drink beverages which are acidic in nature, then it follows, that you will be acidic in nature, as well. If you eat a diet which mainly consists of so called “convenience food”, you don’t stand a chance of being alkaline.

In order to defeat the acid reflux condition, one must strive to correct the pH factor of the body. 7.5 pH is the ideal alkaline body level. You can test the pH level of your saliva with pH paper, which can be purchased at any pharmacy. Some medical authorities claim that all illness, including cancer, cannot exist in an alkaline environment. If that is true, it is certainly food for thought!

It is important to remember that the acid reflux condition could not perpetuate itself without a damaged esophagus. In order to heal this affliction, the esophagus must be allowed to repair. This can be accomplished by eliminating food and drink that are irritants and, or acidic. Avoiding anything which relaxes the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is another important consideration. The LES is the muscular valve which separates the esophagus and the stomach. It is when this valve relaxes, that acid and pepsin splash up from the stomach into the esophagus and throat, causing acid reflux.

The hydrochloric acid in the stomach has been compared in strength, to the acid in a car battery. With acid reflux, the constant assault of acid causes little lacerations to develop on the lining of the esophagus. Until these lacerations have had a chance to heal, spicy foods, such as acidic tomato products, hot peppers, raw garlic and raw onions should also be eliminated from the diet. They just further irritate the condition. Smoking, drinking alcohol and eating chocolate also relax the LES, thus impeding the healing process.

The key to acid reflux recovery is to eat alkaline, easy to digest nourishing food until the esophagus has healed. Eating early, allowing at least three hours before lying down is an essential habit to develop. Eating slowly and chewing food completely in a relaxed, pleasant and stress free environment is of paramount importance, as well.

I have listed a few of my favorite hearty fall and winter recipes that I enjoyed during my own recovery period. Cooking meat, vegetables, fruit and shellfish in liquids produce delicious dishes which can be made quickly and easily. I have employed a technique called “braising” for the main dish below. It is one of my favorite cooking methods, because it concentrates flavor in a one pot dinner. I have also included a seasonal soup starter and a special desert to complete the perfect cold weather dinner.

Try doubling the main dish and desert recipes so that you can have them later in the week…..less time in the kitchen. Remember, that cooking from scratch instead of relying on convenience foods is a better approach to good health, in general. It’s also nice to know what you’re really eating.

I hope that you enjoy the following seasonal recipes. Even though I have cured myself of acid reflux, I still serve these wonderful hearty dishes on a regular basis. The entire family should enjoy these, too. Well, the children might not like the oysters, but you certainly will. This menu is great for entertaining, as the main and last courses are made in advance and the first course is a breeze. For those of you who live in warmer climes, remember that winter is a state of mind.

Bon appetite!

Braised Chicken With Turnips And Onions

This is a rustic country-style dinner dish which truly embodies the concept of “Comfort Food”. Unlike thick cuts of meat, braising chicken takes a fraction of the time and the chicken absorbs all the flavors of the vegetables and liquids. Mashed potatoes are a perfect accompaniment. This is a serving for four and requires about an hour to prepare.

1 (3 1/2 lb.) chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces
1/2 cup flour for dredging
Olive oil
2 medium sweet onions roughly chopped
4 medium turnips peeled and sliced into 1/2″ pieces

Toxic black mold or Stachybotrys is found by certified mold inspectors about 6% of the time in indoor air samples and about 1% of the time in outdoor samples.

According to literature and according to this inspectors experience it grows almost exclusively on very wet cellouse containing materials including paper, carpet backings, ceiling tile, and especially on drywall.

It is the most feared of all molds, due to the numerous news reports, newspaper articles, and magazine articles attributing possible brain damage, infant deaths, expensive property damage and other horrible consequences surrounding its growth in residential settings.

Many molds produce mycotoxins (toxic chemicals that molds use in a type of microbial warfare). Living things that do not possess claws, fangs, or a hard shell to use in self defense or fast legs to run away from predators, will typically revert to the use of camouflage or the production of poisons. This is very common in nature.

In reality, toxic molds like Stachybotrys also known as toxic black mold and others may have to be either consumed in mold contaminated foods, or physically handled so that excessive physical contact is made between human skin and the mold in order for toxic reactions to develop. At this time most scientists do not believe that breathing in toxic mold spores can have toxic effects on humans when inhaled at the levels typically encountered in homes and offices.

Public opinion may not be in support of the above statement and in the future we may find that the above statement is not true and perhaps one day we will find that toxic molds cause toxic reactions via inhalation but at the time of the writing scientific evidence does not support the view that toxic molds can poison you via inhalation at levels found in indoor environments. To support this statement please review the following abstract from the International Journal of Toxicology Volume 23, Number 1 / January-February 2004 pages 3 to 10.

“Risk from Inhaled Mycotoxins in Indoor Office and Residential Environments

Bruce J. Kelman A1, Coreen A. Robbins A1, Lonie J. Swenson A1, Bryan D. Hardin A1 A1 GlobalTox, Inc., Redmond, Washington, USA

Abstract:

Mycotoxins are known to produce veterinary and human diseases when consumed with contaminated foods. Mycotoxins have also been proposed to cause adverse human health effects after inhalation exposure to mold in indoor residential, school, and office environments. Epidemiological evidence has been inadequate to establish a causal relationship between indoor mold and nonallergic, toxigenic health effects. In this article, the authors model a maximum possible dose of mycotoxins that could be inhaled in 24 h of continuous exposure to a high concentration of mold spores containing the maximum reported concentration of aflatoxins B1 and B2, satratoxins G and H, fumitremorgens B and C, verruculogen, and trichoverrols A and B. These calculated doses are compared to effects data for the same mycotoxins. None of the maximum doses modeled were sufficiently high to cause any adverse effect. The model illustrates the inefficiency of delivery of mycotoxins via inhalation of mold spores, and suggests that the lack of association between mold exposure and mycotoxicoses in indoor environments is due to a requirement for extremely high airborne spore levels and extended periods of exposure to elicit a response. This model is further evidence that human mycotoxicoses are implausible following inhalation exposure to mycotoxins in mold-contaminated home, school, or office environments.”

Regardless of if toxic mold can poison you with mycotoxins via inhalation, it is a fact observed by this inspector and by mold remediators many times over that mold can make some people very sick. Asthma attacks, allergies, and sinus infections from mold appear to be very common. Such conditions in turn can cause people to loose sleep, loose energy and concentration, miss work, and in general feel as if they were being poisoned by mycotoxins.

Author’s Note: Previously published here.

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Daryl Watters provides toxic mold, black mold, or toxic black mold testing in South Florida. For more information visit The author offers toxic mold testing, and Black mold inspection services: http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/

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The diverse fungal organisms on planet earth form an entire large grouping of related organisms know as the fungi kingdoms. The terms mold and mould are typically used to describe only a small subset of this much larger kingdom.

What are fungi? Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, which means unlike bacteria they all have true cells with at least one nucleus in the cell and that nucleus is inside a nuclear membrane. The other cell organelles also are in membranes. Fungi are not photosynthetic like plants; thus, they cannot make their own food using sunlight and carbon dioxide like plants. But like bacteria and plants, the fungi have rigid cell walls, and like bacteria and some primitive plants (Mosses, liverworts, and ferns), molds produce spores for reproduction.

Fungi can be microscopic, one-celled organisms, such as yeasts, or large macroscopic organisms, such as giant mushrooms.

According to the fifth kingdom (a popular mycology textbook) there are one hundred thousand known fungi species; there may be as many as 1 to 1.7 million species of fungi if we include estimated numbers of fungi not yet discovered. During a mold inspection service investigation, only a dozen or so different types are typically encountered.

Fungi are saprophytes. In other words, they release enzymes onto the substrate which they are growing in order to dissolve and eat that substrate. They share this characteristic with bacteria. In nature, two of mold’s favorite foods are moist dead wood and soil rich with decaying organic matter. During a mold inspection, we find that most molds will grow on drywall paper found on both surfaces of wet drywall. The reason for this is that drywall paper is made of one of molds favorite foods, wood.

Several species of mold commonly grow on water damaged building materials. The volatile organic compounds or odors they produce, and the spores they release often result in allergy or asthma like reactions in home owners and office building occupants.

Some fungi are infectious, growing inside or on other living things. Some of the fungi cause ring worm, athlete’s foot, Candida yeast infections, valley fever, and most common sinus infections.

A few infectious fungi have the ability to grow as a fuzzy white decay fungus or (saprophyte) at room temperature. The same molds will grow as a disease causing yeast-like pathogen when incubated at body temperature. These fungi are called dimorphic which means two body types and they can result in serious and sometimes fatal illness when growing in the human body in its infectious yeast form. These fungi are not typically found or identified during mold testing or a mold inspection service investigation. Most are found in pigeon or starling bird droppings, or in bat droppings, other types live in dry soils of the South Western U.S. and South America.

It appears that in order to keep from being eaten, various types of fungi produce toxic chemicals known as mycotoxins. We know of at least 200 types of mycotoxins. Toxic molds containing mycotoxins are very dangerous or even deadly to humans and livestock when eaten in moldy foods.

When you feel sick because of mold in your home, it is not likely to be from mycotoxins. It is usually an allergic reaction or asthmatic reaction. Molds cause many minor and many serious allergy and asthma problems. Please see your doctor for verification. Why do molds cause allergies? Mold produces proteins that many people and even pets’ immune systems see as an invading pathogen, the immune system over reacts to these harmless mold proteins attempts to get rid of them or destroy them, and as a result your own bodies immune system makes you feel sick. It is a fact that many persons die each year in America from asthma attacks.

Mycotoxins (being large, low-volatile chemicals) do not readily evaporate into the air, and antigens (being proteins) obviously are not likely to evaporate either; thus, one has to breathe in mold spores or other mold parts to have an allergic reaction to fungi. One typically has to eat fungi-contaminated food to be poisoned by mycotoxins. Breathing in very large amounts of spores in industrial settings or during mold removal also known as mold remediation may result in organic toxic dust syndrome with flu-like symptoms.

Long term exposure to mold, bacteria, or thermophilic actinomycets (a cross between fungus and bacteria), may result in hypersensitivity pneumonia, a type of industrial-strength allergic condition with possible pneumonia-like symptoms.

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Daryl Watters is president of A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. He provides home, mold, and indoor air quality testing in South Florida. He is also the creator of MIR forms designed to aid inspectors in the production of computer generated indoor air quality and mold inspection reports. For more inspection and testing information visit:

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BASIC MOLD BIOLOGY:

Fungi share some basic similarities with plants and bacteria but are not plants nor are they bacteria. They are in their own kingdom, the Fungi Kingdom.

The terms mold and mildew are often used interchangeably by lay persons, but according to some more specific definitions, mildew is a powdery growth that attacks and grows on living plants while molds are often fuzzy and grow on all sorts of moist surfaces. For some people the term mildew is used to describe powdery fungal growth that grows on personal belongings and can be easily wiped off. Molds, mildews, and other fungi usually reproduce by forming and releasing spores into the air. Most indoor spores are just 3 to 15 microns across, some spores are a few hundred microns long but these are still just a few microns across. The human eye can at best see objects that are 10 or more microns across. Toxins known as mycotoxins and also allergens are found primarily in the spores of various molds. These substances can be found in live or dead spores.

TOXIC MOLDS

Mycotoxins are chemicals that are sometimes produced by various species of toxic mold. These toxins are real and are powerful weapons used by toxic molds in a sort of microbial warfare to help them compete against bacteria and other molds. Various molds including but not limited to toxic black mold also known as Stachybotrys or toxic mold are common in Florida, but mold spores in residential settings, even if they are potentially toxic producing types and at high levels, are not automatically at high enough levels to result in toxic effects on humans via inhalation. It takes a lot of inhaled spores to poison a person. Currently, disagreement exists as to if residential mold spore exposures levels are ever high enough to result in toxic effect on humans. Toxic effects of mold mycotoxins in humans and farm animals leading to serious illness and even death via accidental ingestion of toxic mold, etc. have been well documented in scientific literature. Effects of heavy exposure to mold toxins are many, but just two of the more common effects are immuno suppression and liver cancer. Mycotoxins are believed to result in headaches, sore throats, hair loss, flu symptoms, diarrhea, fatigue, dermatitis, general malaise (tiredness) and psychological depression.” (Croft et al, 1986, Jarvis, 1995). “Other reported responses to mycotoxin exposure includes skin rashes, lesions of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, and interference with blood cell formation.” (Sorenson 1993).

Human and horse exposure to Stachybotrys mold infested hay that caused toxic reactions in the Ukraine around the 1920’s or the 1930’s is well documented. Industrial level exposures of mycotoxins such as at peanut processing facilities, composting facilities, or farms has caused documented toxigenic and severe allergenic problems. Countless farm animals have died as a result of eating food contaminated with toxic molds, in one extreme example that occurred in the mid 1960’s 100,000 turkeys died in England after consuming moldy food shipped from Brazil. The causative agent was aflotoxin from Aspergillus flavus mold. In several such cases of human and animal exposure mycotoxin poisoning is well documented by scientists and doctors. For more information on documented cases and on mycotoxocosis refer to The Fifth Kingdom, by Brice Kindrick or Bioaerosols from ACGIH by Harriett Burge.

It is very important to not panic but to keep in mind that to accomplish the above serious detrimental effects, toxic molds like Stachybotrys and others may have to be either:

1. Consumed in mold contaminated foods,

2. Physically handled so that excessive physical contact is made between human skin and the mold, or

3. The mycotoxins have to be exposed to living cells in the laboratory.

Various studies have shown that the levels of mycotoxins encountered by breathing mold spores in your home or office appear to be far too low to cause toxic reactions in humans. Of course future studies may or may not change this current opinion held by many researches. Synergistic effects of various indoor pollutants and different mycotoxins mixing together may be more powerful than individual mycotoxin exposures. Fortunately scientists are not in the business of performing full fledged toxicity studies on human subjects.

However, asthma attacks, allergies, and sinus infections from mold appear to be very common and can give you just as much trouble as if you were being poisoned.

INFECTIOUS MOLDS

According to a Mayo clinic study, sinusitis caused by growth of fungus fibers or balls of fungus fibers in the sinus cavities is not unusual. This is typically caused by common Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Curvularia species. Aspergillosis caused by the growth of aspergillus species in the lungs most commonly A.fumigatus, A. flavus, A. Niger and A. territus species typically occurs in persons with compromised immune systems or a history of lung disease that resulted in past lung damage. Common Candida albicans that causes yeast infections is a major cause of serious nosocomial (hospital acquired) fungal infections. Histoplasma capsulatium and Cryptococcus neoformans are very dangerous yeast like molds that should be assumed to be present in any bird droppings but are primarily a concern when spread to humans via inhalation of particles from accumulations of pigeon, starling, and bat droppings. Coccidioides immitis mold spores are spread from dusty soil in the southwestern United States, it sometimes causes valley fever but at other times the same fungus can be deadly. Nearly any fungi can cause infections in persons with severely compromised immune systems.

Detection of infectious fungi such as but not limited to the above listed ones and identification of fungi to determine the species is not part of most mold inspections.

ALLERGY ASTHMA AND HYPERSENSITIVITY DISEASES

An allergic reaction occurs when your body’s immune system mistakes harmless proteins in mold spores or other allergens as if these proteins were harmful microbes trying to infect your body. Your body’s immune system, feeling threatened releases histamines into the blood stream and these histamines are what actually causes coughing, sneeze, and watering of the eyes. Other person’s immune systems will not mistake proteins in mold spores as a microbial threat, and thus not develop allergic reactions. Asthma is a condition where the small air sack like structures in the lungs called alveoli can contract and exhale air, but cannot properly expand to bring in new air. Molds as well as other substances are common triggers of asthma. Mold-related allergenic and asthmatic conditions in homes are very common and very serious and should be addressed and not ignored. Many serious hypersensitivity diseases in humans, such as baker’s lung, wood workers lung and others are the result of exposures to molds by persons working in industries that result in long term exposure to elevated spore levels.

Hypersensitivity diseases have long been well documented in science and the medical field. According to Bioaerosols assessment and control hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a hypersensitivity disease that results from the long term repeated exposure to elevated mold spore levels or other antigens, this condition can occur at in industry or agriculture where spore levels are high, it may also occur in moldy offices or homes, it produces pneumonia like symptoms with fever, cough, tightness of chest, lung infiltrates, and difficulty breathing. Once sensitized, individuals may react to extremely low, often un measurable, concentrations of antigenic materials.

Organic dust toxic syndrome is a flu like illness that results from a short term exposure to very high levels of spores, such as the levels that may be encountered by workers doing large mold remediation jobs without wearing protective respirators. Symptoms show up several hours or a day or so after exposure and symptoms go away after a day or a few days. Building related illness is a term used to describe an illness such as one of the above that results from time spent in a building around molds or other allergens, irritants, or toxins, and sick building syndrome is used to describe a building related illness whose specific cause remains a mystery.

Editor’s Note: Article published here.

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Daryl Watters is a certified mold inspector, certified home inspector, and certified indoor environmentalist providing building inspections, mold testing and indoor air quality testing from Vero Beach to the Florida Keys.
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You may be ill because of mold in your home or place of employment, your property value may fall because of mold that bleach and paint just cannot control. If you have a compromised immune system mold may even grow in you lungs or other parts of your body in the form of a systemic fungal infection. However, no requirements exist for mold inspectors nor mold remediators in most states. When choosing a mold testing firm be sure that the professional is familiar with the following.

1) Building construction and building forensics.

Your mold problem is not in a Petri dish or lab but in a home or commercial building. Mold testing should be done by someone who has knowledge of buildings and how to inspect building and not just the mold itself. Your mold inspector should be familiar with vapor barriers, roofing, plumbing, wall structure and wall waterproofing, building pressurization and more to properly diagnose sometimes unusual building failures that have resulted in mold and moisture problems.

2) Psychometrics.

Psychometric pertains to humidity, temperature, dew point and air and how they all influence each other. A deep understanding of the interrelations of these factors might not be important in New York, New Jersey, or Florida but in Florida with it’s unique hot humid climate it is very important.

3) Biological sciences.

Mold is a living organism many other common indoor allergens are products of biological activities in your house or office, your inspector should understand at least some basic biological and ecological science principles pertaining to microbiology or mycology (the study of mold).

4) HVAC knowledge.

Your mold testing expert must be very familiar with heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC systems) because many mold problems are related to HVAC system malfunctions, leaks, or contamination. Contaminated return and supply plenums, and contaminated blower fans and coils are a common hiding place for mold. Properly working HVAC systems can help prevent mold, humidity, and even general indoor air quality problems from ever occurring.

5) Sampling techniques.

Your mold inspector should be properly trained and experienced in investigating and sampling mold, and if needed other bio-allergens, and they should know how to interpret the lab results.

6) Legally defensible reporting documenting findings and recommendations.

Will your mold testing firm leave you with simple lab results, or a detailed legally defensible mold inspection report that your allergy doctor, insurance adjuster, and attorney will find helpful complete with digital photos and executive summary page showing a summary of the inspectors findings and conclusions? Your inspector should give you a comprehensive mold inspection report form documenting visual findings, environmental monitoring results, interpretation of lab results, inspector’s conclusions, recommendations on how to control the mold problem and more.

7) Proper certifications.

Currently there are no requirements that a person must fulfill to call themselves a Florida mold inspector. There is no training required in the state of Florida. In fact, the term “certified mold inspector” is almost meaningless. There are good certification courses but there are also worthless certification training courses for mold inspectors in Florida. In fact as of 2006 few states have licenses for mold inspectors. Be sure to verify that your mold inspector is one of the following:

Editor’s Note: Previously published here.

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Daryl Watters has a bachelors degree in education for teaching biology and general science and is a certified mold inspector, certified home inspector, and certified indoor environmentalist providing building inspections in South Florida since 1993 and mold testing since 2003. Please visit:

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Mold And Water Damaged Building Materials

When leakage occurs it results in the growth of mold that in turn results in the release of pungent smelling and irritating volatile organic compounds, and allergenic mold spores into your air. Persons with allergies or asthma often have reactions to such contaminates in the air while others may have no reaction at all. People with compromised immune systems may even contract infections from some molds. Some of the most common mold related infections are chronic allergenic fungal sinusitis, this is a type of allergic like reaction and infection that results from spores germinating in the sinuses, the agent of infection is usually Alternaria mold spores. Other persons may develop lung infections caused by certain species of Aspergillus growing in the lungs. Fungal infections are more a product of a person’s poor health than of the environment they are in. Home inspectors, mold inspectors and other building investigators may use a moisture meter to detect moisture hidden inside water damaged building materials.

Infrared cameras can also be used to detect moisture hidden inside walls and other areas by measuring very slight temperature differentials between cooler wet surfaces and warmer dry surfaces. Where there is moisture mold is often not far away. Drying up water within 24 to 48 hours and repairing leaks can go a long way in preventing mold problems.

Dust Dust Mites And Particulates

Air contaminated with excess particles can also cause negative reactions. Some particles cause direct irritation when levels are elevated. In the case of house dust people do not typically have a direct allergenic or irritation related reaction. Common dust is as much as 80% dead human skin cells thus the dust itself is not seen as a forging invader by your body. When people have allergic reactions to common household dust it is not the dust causing the problem but allergenic proteins found in dust mite feces. Particles counters can be used to measure airborne particulates, particle counters are highly sensitive scientific instruments that use an internal laser to count particles passing through it that are of a predetermined size range. Good quality pleated filters at your AC unit return can help reduce dust, also use a good quality vacuum that is equipped with a hepa filter. A bad vacuum cleaner will remove dust from your carpets then blow it into your face.

Carbon Dioxide

High carbon dioxide levels are not typically a direct threat to human health in home and commercial properties. High carbon dioxide levels usually indicate a lack of adequate outdoor air being introduced into the building. Dust, chemicals, body odors and other indoor air pollutants often build up along with carbon dioxide in poorly ventilated buildings, and it is these other indoor pollutants that result in indoor air quality complaints and health complaints. According to Parat and others “A properly maintained and operated mechanical ventilation system can reduce indoor Bioaerosols concentrations by limiting infiltration of outdoor Bioaerosols and by diluting those from outdoor sources” ( Parat et al., 1994, 1996 ).

According to American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 62-89 Outdoor air supply into the building should be at least 20 cubic foot per min per person in offices and thus help maintain carbon dioxide levels below 1000 ppm. Newer requirements recommend levels no more than 700 ppm higher than outdoor carbon dioxide levels. Outdoor air that is being introduced into a building must meet the US EPA National Primary Ambient Air Quality Standards is short it must be clean or it must be properly filtered.

In conclusion letting clean dry outdoor air into homes and commercial buildings can help dilute and flush out indoor pollutants.

Carbon Monoxide

WARNING: Carbon monoxide can rapidly rob your bloods ability to properly absorb oxygen thus it can be deadly. If carbon monoxide levels at your property are dangerously high then emergency measures such as immediate evacuation may be deemed necessary. Even if slightly elevated further investigation by a qualified, licensed, specialist is recommended and appropriate repairs or other measures may be needed. The leading cause of deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in homes is automobile exhaust escaping from garages, however improper combustion of fuel in gas appliances, improper ventilation of combustion gases to the exterior, and cracked heat exchangers are also important sources of carbon monoxide exposure.

“At low concentrations the health effects are fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in persons with heart disease. At higher concentrations it causes impaired vision and coordination problems, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea. It can cause flu like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Carbon monoxide is fatal at very high concentrations.

Average levels in homes without gas stoves 0.5 to 5 ppm.

Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are 5 to 15 ppm.

Near poorly adjusted stoves 30 ppm or higher.” The above information is from epa.gov/iaq/co.html

If you have an attached garage, or any types of gas burning appliances or devices in your building or home have it checked for carbon monoxide. Make sure that gas appliances are working properly and properly vented to the exterior.

VOC’s

Volatile organic compound also known as VOC’s are common indoor pollutants composed of organic chemicals that evaporate into the air easily, they often cause chemical odors, respiratory irritation, headache, and other indoor air quality related complaints. At certain high levels they can be dangerous. These chemicals are released by paints, paint thinners, varnish, new carpets, new cabinets and furniture that contain particle board, household cleaners and air fresheners, fuel gas, improperly vented combustion devices, photocopier machines, blueprint machines, and many other sources. Refrain from the excessive use of household product that contains chemicals.

Purchase paints and new carpets with low emission levels of voc’s. Solid wood cabinets and furnishings contain less voc’s than those composed of particle board type materials. When using chemicals or when installing new carpets, paints, cabinets, and other furnishings let the property air out in a safe and reasonable way. Healthy buildings will typically contain less than 1 ppm or even less than .5 ppm.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a common volatile organic compound that results in lots of indoor air quality problems, it is found in glues used in the manufacture of particle board, wood veneers, wood furniture, plywood, and other wood products.

It is also found in some spray-on insulating foams. These resins slowly give off formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is one of the more common indoor air pollutants. At concentrations above 0.1 ppm in air, formaldehyde can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, resulting in watery eyes. If inhaled, formaldehyde at this concentration may cause headaches, a burning sensation in the throat, and difficulty breathing, as well as triggering asthma symptoms.

The above recommendations made in regards to other volatile organic compounds also applies to formaldehyde.

Sewer Gas

Hydrogen sulfide it the gas that produces rotten egg or sulfur like odors in well water, sewer systems, rotten eggs, and other areas where water and organic compounds have a lack of oxygen. Hydrogen sulfide odors may lead to complaints of foul odors and also eye and throat irritation cough and shortness of breath. According to wikipedia “.0047 ppm is the recognition threshold, the concentration at which 50% of humans can detect the characteristic rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide.”10 to 15 ppm is the borderline concentration for eye irritation.

Drain pipes have letter u shaped curve that traps water, you have seen this under your sinks, and this trapped water is intended to keep sewer gas from backing up from the sewer system and into your home. Make sure that drains such as basement floor drains, sink drains, and even toilet bowls etc contain some water. If the water evaporates from a drains p trap then sewer gas will back up into the building. In vacant properties anaerobic bacterial may invade your water heater and produce sulfur gas odors in your drinking water, in properties with well water similar bacteria may invade your well water system and create strong sulfur odors. The latter two conditions are annoying but are typically thought of as harmless and can be repaired by a plumber or well water service company.

No2

Nitrogen dioxide is composed of nitrogen and oxygen atoms, incomplete combustion in vehicles or gas burning appliances can create this pollutant and improper venting of such combustion gases from gas appliances, loading docks, and parking garages, can result in the gas entering into the indoor environment. Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritation. If you have any types of gas burning appliances or devices in your building or home have the property checked for nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and other combustion gases. Make sure that gas appliances are working properly and properly vented to the exterior.

O3

Ozone is a fresh smelling oxygen molecule composed of 3 oxygen atoms, the oxygen we breathe is made of just two oxygen molecules. In the upper atmosphere ozone blocks out harmful UV light thus protecting living organisms below, at ground level ozone is an air pollutant that can have harmful effects on our respiratory system in fact ozone is a constitute of smog pollution. Asthmatics are especially at risk from the effects of ozone exposure.

Despite claims of safe levels of fresh smelling ozone emitted by ozone producing machines, some ozone machines have been found to produce ozone at levels that may result in respiratory irritation in some persons. It is true that ozone can break down smoke, odors, and other air contaminates but the break down product follow the most basic laws of physics and thus do not disappear for existence but instead these products have end up in the air where some of them can serves as irritants to sensitive persons.

According to the EPA some health effects of overexposure to ozone are:

For more info please visit: epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

Radon

Last but not least on or list of 13 sinister Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems is radon, a colorless odorless gas that finds its way into buildings through cracks in the foundations. If a building is negatively pressurized then that negative pressure can cause radon to be actively sucked into the building. Radon is unheard of in some areas such as South Florida; in other areas such as New England radon is common. Radon is a carcinogen or cancer causing agent. Often persons living with radon will have no clue that the problem exists till it is to late. Even in non smokers radon causes lung cancer. If you know of a household where a non smoker developed lung cancer you should suggest that the home or the victim’s previous residence be tested for radon gas. According to the EPA and the surgeon general radon is responsible for 15,000 deaths a year.

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Daryl Watters is a certified mold inspector, certified home inspector, and certified indoor environmentalist providing building inspections and IAQ testing in West Palm Beach, Miami, and Ft Lauderdale.

For mold test and IAQ indoor air quality information visit: http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/

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Ok the title is a bit over the top but in a round about way it is true. Many swimming molds live in and swim through the thin film of water on wet plant leaves and ruin many important crops during extra wet growing seasons. These molds often have a very negative effect on agriculture and are directly responsible for the deadly Irish Potato Famine.

Some make their homes in moist frog skin and cause a deadly disease that has been decimating frog populations around the world for several decades now. While others cause a common fuzzy white growth of mold on tropical fish.

These molds in at least some stages of their complex life cycles propel themselves through water with the aid of tiny whip like structures called flagella. Flagella are those long whip like structures that are found on some cells such as sperm cells and are one celled plant like Eugenia protozoans which push themselves through water.

In his book, “The Fifth Kingdom”, Dean Kendrick noted mycologist (mold biologist) discusses three phyla (large groupings) of swimming molds:

1) PHYLUM CHYTRIDIOMYCOTA

The first group is known as chytridiomycota these are true fungi and they have a single flagellum at the rear of the cell, this flagellum propels the mold cell through the water just like the flagellum at the rear of a sperm cell propels sperm cells. Around 1998, Joyce Longcore determined that a type of chytridiomycete mold was causing the death of many frogs around the world by infecting their skin. You may not have heard of it but widespread frog deaths have been a serious concern for decades now.

2) PHYLUM HYPHOCHYTRIOMYCOTA

The 2nd group that Dean goes on to discuss is the kingdom Chromista phylum hyphochytriomycota. They have a single hairy flagellum at the front. Though similar to the above molds, these are not true molds.

3) PHYLUM OOMYCOTA

The Third group is the kingdom Chromista phylum oomycota, they seem to be split and cannot make a clear decision on if it is better to have one smooth flagellum at the rear or to have a hairy one at the front, so the oomycetes have opted for two flagella at the side, one of the two is a hairy flagellum that points to the front and the other is a smooth one that points to the rear.

Oomycetes make up the water molds that cause many common fungal infections in fish including tropical aquarium fish, as well as downy mildew that cause serious crop damage around the world every year. Most importantly oomycetes caused the Irish Potato Famine. This famine caused the death of one million Irish people and caused millions to emigrate from Ireland including the ancestors of Al McNamara of Abode Inspections, one of America’s first ASHI home inspectors. He was my mentor and introduced me to the home inspection field in 1993.

Some of the above organisms have a flagellum during its reproductive state only while a few exist as a single celled flagellated mold its entire life. Most of the above live in water, moist soil, or in the thin film of water on wet plant leaves. A few even live on the surface of single grains of flower pollen. Obviously, none of the above water molds are common in moldy homes. However, it is interesting to understand that these microscopic molds swim and cause serious negative impacts on humans, plants, and animals around the world.

This article previously published here.

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Daryl Watters is president of A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. He provides home, mold, and indoor air quality investigations in South Florida. He is also the creator of MIR forms designed to aid inspectors in the production of computer generated indoor air quality and mold inspection reports. For more information visit: http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/

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Volatile organic compound also known as VOCs are common indoor pollutants composed of organic chemicals that evaporate into the air easily at room temperatures. VOCs often cause chemical odors, respiratory irritation, headache, and other indoor air quality related complaints. At certain high levels they can be dangerous.

These chemicals are released by paints, paint thinners, varnish, new carpets, new cabinets and furniture that contains particle board, household cleaners and air fresheners, gasoline, improperly vented combustion devices, photocopier machines, blueprint machines, and many other sources. All buildings contain some level of volatile organic compounds, determining what are normal levels and what are elevated levels is important in diagnosing a buildings indoor air quality. The following information gives some idea of what are normal and what are elevated VOC levels.

Global consensus has resulted in the emergence of preliminary guidelines or tVOC standards for IAQ (Australian NHMRC, 1993; Finnish society of IAQ, 1995: Seifert, 1999: Hong Kong EPA, 1999; Japan MoH, 2000).

Depending on Location (home, school, etc. ), recommended levels range from 200 to 1300 ug/m3 or about 50 to 325 ppb or .05 to .325 ppm (Toluene units) or approximately 100 to 650 ppb .1 to .650 ppm isobutylene units.

By all accounts the IAQ tVOC threshold for normal environments should not exceed 500 ppb (0.5 ppm) Toluene units, which is equivalent to 1000 ppb (1ppm) isobutylene units.

Field experience suggests the following guide for the use of PIDs to assess indoor environments:

Less than 100 ppb or (.1ppm) isobutylene units: normal outdoor air

100-400 ppb or (.1-.4ppm) isobutylene units normal indoor air

500 ppb or (.5ppm) isobutylene units: indicates potential of IAQ contaminants

Reference RAE Systems Application Note AP-212

In summary the above states that the general consensus among most experts is that recommended indoor levels of total volatile organic compounds is .1 to .6 ppm isobutylene units.

Indoor levels above .5ppm isobutylene units indicates potential contamination and levels should not exceed 1ppm isobutylene units.

Please keep in mind that the above applies to homes offices and schools etc. Exposure limits allowed in industrial settings will be much higher.

Author’s Note: Previously published here.

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Daryl Watters is president of A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. He provides mold inspections and indoor air quality testing for chemicals and unusual odors in South Florida. He is also the creator of MIR forms designed to aid inspectors in the production of computer generated indoor air quality, IAQ test and mold inspection reports.

For more inspection and testing information visit: http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/

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Cleaning a home or business is often a ritualistic experience, and one meant to remove matter we deem as dangerous, unhealthy or unpleasant to those living or working there.

It All Adds Up

Think about what you do and what products you use when you clean. You spray glass cleaner to wash the windows and mirrors. You use counter and tile cleaners in the bathroom and kitchen. You use smelly cleaners for your oven and chemicals for your clogged drains. Carpet cleaner, liquid floor cleaner, furniture polish, dishwashing liquid, detergent, shampoo – the types of products available to clean houses numbers in the hundreds and often not a second thought is given as to what kind of toxins they contain.

Recent studies show, however, that using many household-cleaning products could have harmful effects. Since the late 1940s, there has been a dramatic increase in the production and use of synthetic chemicals in the U.S. Coincidentally; there has been a rise in the number of cases of environmentally linked chronic illnesses, such as asthma, allergies and chemical sensitivity.

A recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that indoor air may be anywhere from 3 to 70 times more polluted than outdoor air. Another EPA study concluded the toxic chemicals found in many household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

But It Smells Good…

Often times, Americans equate clean with smelling good. Dish and laundry detergents, which are largely petroleum based and thus made from a non-renewable resource, often have chemicals added to them to make them fragrant, which can trigger asthma. Coincidentally, cases of asthma have risen 600 percent since 1980.

Many household cleaners contain phenols, which are listed by the EPA as being toxic and corrosive. Costs in the United States and Canada for treatment of environmentally induced health conditions are estimated at between $560 billion and almost $800 billion annually. And children are particularly vulnerable because their low body weight means they absorb a larger percentage of chemicals, thus putting them at greater risk.

There’s also the threat of poisoning, especially among young children, from common household cleaners. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1,900 people each day in 2006 went to an emergency room due to poisoning.

These chemicals can also find their way into nearby water supplies, polluting them and putting others at risk. Though they are known to be harmful, current guidelines only suggest exposure limits and not banning them from use.

There is a way to clean homes or businesses and keep people and the environment safe.

Go Green And Stay Clean

Green cleaning is a term used to describe products and processes that get things clean while also protecting the environment and the health of those living in it. Because they do not use the toxic chemicals found in other cleaning products, there is less worry about harmful side effects. Going green is a natural way to keep living and working environments clean, without harmful side effects.

In the home, green cleaning can mean a safer environment for family members, especially children. In a business setting, green benefits include increased productivity, better morale and less liability from worker related health issues. Green cleaning can be ideal for nursing homes and hospitals because it reduces indoor pollution, and is becoming prevalent in many public places in this country and Europe that cater daily to a wide variety of people with different health conditions.

It’s Getting Easier

Going green and clean is becoming easier. Look for detergents with “fragrance free” on the label. Plant-based detergents, made from corn, palm kernel or coconut oil, are also available. This is better for the environment than petroleum-based cleaners because the plant-based product breaks down more easily and is made from a renewable resource. Furniture and metal polishes are also produced using mineral or plant oils, rather than dangerous solvents.

To clean drains the green way, first use a plumber’s snake to clear any obstructions, thus reducing the amount of cleaner needed. To eliminate the rest of the built up material, use green cleaners that contain enzymes to break down substances instead of chemically based ones.

Using green cleaning methods and products can maintain the health of loved ones, save money and protect the environment. It has not only become a viable option, but a duty to seek the safest way to keep spaces clean and healthy.

Author’s Note: Also published here.

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Janet Davis and her husband are health and nutrition entrepreneurs and founders of Mark And Janet, a website with uncompromising, premium products for your health conscious family. For more on going green — Visit us at http://www.MarkandJanet.com/ or check out our blog at http://www.MarkandJanetBlog.com/

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We have recently seen that some mold inspectors are quoting the article titled “Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum” and other similar scientific articles to support the belief that toxic molds poison people in their homes. A link to the article is listed below. It looks as if the article is stating that toxic molds are very toxic to homeowners or even deadly. Mold inspectors who hastily review such articles come to such conclusions because they do not understand what the highly technical scientific article is talking about. This and other similar articles on the topic of toxic mold effects are discussing not what happens when a home owner breathes in mold spores released by Stachybotrys or other toxic molds. The article is talking about the effects of toxic mold toxins / mycotoxins when these toxins are eating in foods contaminated with toxic molds, or the effects of mold toxins when animals in the lab are injected with mold toxins directly into the body or nasal passages. Sometimes such articles site cases where industry workers were made ill by toxic mold exposure after working around clouds of organic dust and mold spores for extended periods of time. Such conditions contain millions of spores per cubic meter or air as opposed to the hundreds or thousands of spores encountered in most moldy homes and offices. This article may have been used by mold inspectors to support the view that toxic molds will poison you. In fact, this article and many others have been taken out of context. This article and other scientific articles like it support the view that there is no solid evidence that toxic mold will poison you when breathed in at levels found in even very moldy homes. Such articles do not typically state that it could never happen, but that there is not significant scientific evidence that mold in levels found in residential and office setting has poisoned people.

What Can Mold Do

The article is titled:

Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective D. M. Kuhn1,2,3 and M. A. Ghannoum2,3

Below is a link to that article; just copy and paste the link into your browser: cmr.asm.org/cgi/content/full/16/1/144#R40

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Daryl Watters is president of A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc. Toxic mold questions? Our company offers toxic mold testing, and Black mold inspection services by a certified mold inspector. If you suspect problems with toxic black mold or Stachybotrys or just need help, advice, or facts, we have non-bias information regarding dreaded Stachybotrys. http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com/

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