Indoor air quality been a growing issue since the energy crisis of the 1970’s, long before the current national obsession with “toxic” mold.

The idea that our buildings or indoor air could actually become a health hazard was driven home in 1976 with an outbreak of Legionnaires Disease in Philadelphia.

We know that exposure to mold may cause illness when people are exposed to extensive growth indoors. In its’ 1993 report “Indoor Allergens,” the Institute of Medicine (IOM) concluded that airborne fungal allergens were most often associated with allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In its 2000 report “Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures,” the IOM concluded that there is sufficient evidence of an association between exposure to mold and exacerbations of asthma. The IOM also stated that there was inadequate evidence that molds caused people to become asthmatic.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that asthma is the second most prevalent chronic condition among children. It results in approximately 14 million days of missed school each year. In 1980, 3.6% of children had asthma. By 1995, the prevalence had increased to 7.5%, or approximately 5 million children.

The CDC reported in 2000 that over 20 million American reported suffering form asthma and 70% of those people also suffer from allergies. The prevalence of asthma has increased 75% from 1980 to 1994 and Asthma rates in children under the age of five have increased more than 160% in the same time period. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology reports the allergies affect more than 20% of the U.S. population.

Poor air quality may cause everything from headache to fatigue, sore throats to burning eyes. Mold, particulates, animal dander, and volatile organic compounds are all recognized as indoor air pollutants and may trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks. Our Enviro-Home Design™ concept addresses all of these hazards and more.

When dealing with mold and mildew, the first thing to remember is that no geographic location is really immune from mold problems. For some it’s just an unsightly nuisance -- but for others, it may cause severe health problems
For years the thought was to simply remove the visible mold spores using bleach and water. This is an effective solution for non-porous surfaces but may not be effective for materials that allow moisture to be absorbed. Although bleaching kills the surface of the mold, it does not kill the body of the mold. Mold spores have been known to linger, dormant, for as long as 15 years, then spring back to life when moisture is again introduced into its environment.

Mold can grow on wet or damp surfaces within 48 hours.

Molds can be found on cellulose materials such as drywall, insulation and paper products, on clothing, leather, finished and unfinished wood products, food & plants.

Mold spores are living organisms and multiply very quickly.

Everything from old air conditioning units to airtight wallpaper – paint fumes, cleaning products, chemical additives (carpet, bed spreads, furniture) and deodorizers.

Even filtered air can have mold and bacteria hiding behind wallpaper or in cooling systems.

Indoor air quality been a growing issue since the energy crisis of the 1970’s, long before the current national obsession with “toxic” mold.

Mold can grow on wet or damp surfaces within 48 hours. Molds can be found on cellulose materials such as drywall, insulation and paper products, on clothing, leather, finished and unfinished wood products, food & plants.

Mold can grow on wet or damp surfaces within 48 hours.

Molds can be found on cellulose materials such as drywall, insulation and paper products, on clothing, leather, finished and unfinished wood products, food & plants.