|
| |
Information on Asbestos
If you have even a passing interest in the topic of asbestos, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of asbestos. Asbestos is a term used to refer to a natural ...
Mesothelioma: Symptoms of Mesothelioma Cancer
There are various symptoms of Mesothelioma cancer, but sometimes they don't appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos, hence the importance of following the series of recommendations for prevention of asbestos-related diseases among asbestos ...
What is Asbestos Cancer?
Asbestos Cancer, also known as Mesothelioma Cancer, is one of the common diseases that are a result of exposure to Asbestos related substances. These Asbestos substances contain Asbestos fibers, which can enter a person's body through the mouth, or ...
|
|
|
| |
"You may not think you have it in your home, but mold is everywhere. If you've ever had an unaddressed water event in your home -- a roof leak, plumbing leak, basement leak or sump pump backup -- and it wasn't quickly cleaned up, chances are good that you have a significant problem," says Seth Norman, CEO of Walled Lake, Mich.-based IMS Laboratories, a company that specializes in mold detection and clean up.
How do you find out if mold is causing your health problems? Norman says there are two ways of going about it. You can hire a mold inspector certified by the National Association of Mold Professionals (NAMP) or buy a do-it-yourself test kit.
NAMP certified inspectors hold the highest credentials in the industry, use state of the art equipment, will perform very thorough physical inspections, and conduct sophisticated air quality testing. When they provide a report, you will not only know where the mold is located and the type of mold present, but you should also be provided with a specific plan for removing the mold. This service can be expensive. "Qualified inspectors will charge between $500 and $2,500 -- or more -- to come to your home for a physical inspection and mold assessment," says Norman.
A more economical option is to order a do-it-yourself test kit. IMS Laboratories has one that sells for $9.95 plus shipping. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions for testing your home, and everything you need to get the job done. The kit includes a collection device and a special biological growth medium. "The test only takes a couple minutes to perform and is so easy to use that anyone can do it," he adds.
The kit can be used three different ways: to take a direct topical sample, taped to an air vent to test your air duct system, or simply exposed to the air in a suspect room to test the air quality. Once the test is complete, you seal it in the enclosed bag and place it in a dark, warm place for two to three days. "After the required time elapses, look at the plastic container inside and if you see anything growing, your environment has tested positive for mold," says Norman.
You can test the air you breath, your heating and cooling system, or a suspicious area on your wall, floor or ceiling. The kit itself will tell you whether you have mold. If your test comes back positive, for an additional fee of $30.00, you can send it back to the lab for further testing to determine what kind of mold is present in your home. "We can tell you if it's toxic, pathogenic or just allergenic," says Norman.
Toxic molds are considered the most dangerous. Stachybotrys, or black mold, is the organism frequently associated with sick building syndrome. People who come in contact with it can experience respiratory problems, central nervous system problems, skin irritation, aches and pains.
Exposure to pathogenic molds can cause serious health problems too. These molds have been linked to a number of diseases, including emphysema, pulmonary hemosiderosis (bleeding of the lungs) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain).
Allergenic molds are the most common and least dangerous types of mold. Exposure to these molds can cause healthy people to get stuffy noses, watery eyes, and occasionally shortness of breath. They may cause serious health problems for people with asthma or compromised immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy.
"Once you establish the presence of mold, you need to make a determination of whether you can clean it up yourself or if a professional should be called in," says Norman.
If the mold is allergenic and not growing in a porous material (ceiling tiles, drywall, carpet, etc.), it can sometimes be cleaned by scrubbing the suspect area with bleach and water, then making sure you dry it out completely. "If the mold is growing on porous material, it may be difficult or impossible to remove by yourself, in which case it should be addressed by a professional mold remediator," says Norman.
Same goes for mold determined to be toxic or pathogenic, Norman says you're better off leaving the cleanup to the professionals. "It's serious business. Mold remediators will use the same protocol as professional cleaners who remove asbestos. They work under negative pressure to prevent further contamination, and wear protective respirators, gloves and suits to prevent themselves from being exposed," says Norman.
How often should you test your home for mold? Once a year, after any water intrusion, before bringing a new baby home from the hospital, and before purchasing a new home. Frequent tests -- once every month or two -- are recommended for households where residents are very young (under 2), senior citizens (over 65), asthmatic, or have weak or compromised immune systems.
To order a test kit from IMS Laboratories, log onto www.homemoldtestkit.com or call (877) 665-3373.
Courtesy of ARA Content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Personal Injury from Asbestos Exposure Still a Problem in North ... - WebWire
Asbestos is everywhere - including items in your home, office and most buildings that you visit that were built prior to the 80’s. And prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres is proven to cause a form of cancer called mesotheliomia. If you’re a ...
Asbestos fear in industrial heartland - BBC News
Mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer, kills around 1,800 people every year Mesothelioma, an asbestos-related form of lung cancer, could kill up to 100,000 people over the next 20 years, figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest. One ...
At least $21 million needed to rid office building of asbestos - Observer-Dispatch
Oneida County plans to spend at least $21 million to rid its office building of asbestos. And County Executive Anthony Picente said this week’s asbestos contamination scare showed the abatement that was already under way is worth the money. “We ...
Dangers of asbestos highlighted - BBC News
According to its figures, 771 men in Devon died from mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer caused by asbestos, between 1981 and 2005. In Cornwall 249 men died from the disease and there was one case in the Isles of Scilly. Rob Pearce, the HSE ...
Asbestos health threat low - Pueblo Chieftain
CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/JOHN JAQUES -- A member of the CBI-K9 Unit searches Friday amid the rubble of A Classic Boutique on Union Avenue, which was destroyed Thursday by an explosion in the Branch Inn next door. CHIEFTAIN PHOTO/MIKE SWEENEY -- C Street at ...
|
