News
Molds, Mycotoxins and MVOC’s …Oh My!
How to test my office or home for Molds, Mycotoxins and MVOCs?
What are molds?
Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. Molds are a type of fungi and there are over 100,000 species. In nature, mold helps decompose or break-down leaves, wood and other plant debris. Molds become a problem when they go where they are not wanted and digest materials such as our homes. Moisture control is the key to mold control. Molds need both food and water to survive; since molds can digest most things, water is the factor that limits mold growth. Molds will often grow in damp or wet areas indoors. Common sites for indoor mold growth include bathroom tile, basement walls, areas around windows where moisture condenses, and near leaky water fountains or sinks. Common sources or causes of water or moisture problems include roof leaks, deferred maintenance, condensation associated with high humidity or cold spots in the building, localized flooding due to plumbing failures or heavy rains, slow leaks in plumbing fixtures, and malfunction or poor design of humidification systems.
What are Mycotoxins?
Molds can produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. Some mycotoxins cling to the surface of mold spores; others may be found within spores. More than 200 mycotoxins have been identified from common molds, and many more remain to be identified. Some of the molds that are known to produce mycotoxins are commonly found in moisture-damaged buildings. Exposure pathways for mycotoxins can include inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Although some mycotoxins are well known to affect humans and have been shown to be responsible for human health effects, for many mycotoxins, little information is available. Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by microfungi that are capable of causing disease and death in humans and other animals.
Symptoms due to mycotoxins containing airborne spores (particularly those of Stachybotrys chartarum) include dermatitis, recurring cold and flu-like symptoms, burning sore throat, headaches and excessive fatigue, diarrhea, and impaired or altered immune function.
What are MVOC’s?
If you smell a musty-earthy odor, but don’t see it, chances are you are breathing a high dose of varying molds (aka microbial volatile organic compounds MVOC’s). Some compounds produced by molds are volatile and are released directly into the air, thus are known as microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Because these compounds often have strong and/or unpleasant odors, they can be the source of odors associated with molds. Exposure to MVOCs from molds has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. MVOC’s are composed of low molecular weight alcohols, aldehydes, amines, ketones, terpenes, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, and sulfur-based compounds, all of which are variations of carbon-based molecules. MVOC’s oftentimes have strong odors and are responsible for the offensive odors such as cat urine, old cheese, dirty socks or locker room smell are associated with mold and bacterial growth.
How to test my office or home for Molds, Mycotoxins and MVOCs?
DIY IAQ testing at your home or workplace is easy at IndoorAirTest. Tests for Mycotoxins, Molds, Allergens, Volatile Organic Compounds, Formaldehyde and many other pollutants and contaminants can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or one of the many fine distributors e.g. Grainger, Ferguson Supply, Johnstone Supply, Hunter Fans, etc… , visit us on line at www.indoorairtest.com or call us at 800-422-7873 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting ext 804 or 404. For an online catalog visit: IndoorAirTest (click link).
If you are not the DIY type and want a professional assessment of you building or home you can call the expert industrial hygienists/building scientists at Pure Air Control Services 1-800-422-7873 ext 802.
About Building Health Check, LLC
Building Health Check sets the industry standard for IAQ DIY kits, testing equipment, and laboratory analysis. Building Health Check has affiliations with EDLab and Accustar Labs.
Building Health Checks, LLC’s expanding client roster includes: WW Grainger, Hunter Fans, Progressive Insurance, USACE, Southern California Schools JPA, VA Medical Center, Broward General Healthcare, General Services Administration (GSA); Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; and, CB Richard Ellis and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Building Health Check, LLC the reliable industry leader in DIY IAQ testing.
For more information on Building Health Check, LLC contact us at (800) 422-7873 ext. 404 or 804 or visit http://www.indoorairtest.com.
###
More News
IAQ Test Kits (DIY), PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning and PURE-Decon Room Treatment Showcased at the Annual FRACCA Conference
This annual event provides an opportunity for licensed contractors throughout the State of Florida to obtain all 14 state-required hours of continuing education over the course of the two-day event.
Released On: 3/8/2014
Views: 4092
Free Legionella Webinar: Detection & Identification Workshop
Although this type of bacteria was around before1976, more illness from Legionnaires' disease is being detected now. Due to consumer awareness, added research and technological advances in healthcare Legionnaires disease identification is becomi ...
Released On: 3/4/2014
Views: 3903
Why Some High-Performance Buildings Are Failing?
Performance of a building depends on its structured integrity, preventive maintenance, as well as periodical monitoring of the environmental conditions essential for its functionality.
Released On: 2/19/2014
Views: 3925
Legionnaire’s – What You Should Know About The Potential Deadly Bacteria
According to Building Operating Management magazine, expert Victor Yu, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh; Chief, Infectious Disease Section, VA Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, disclosed that “Up to 70% of all buildings greater t ...
Released On: 2/18/2014
Views: 3497
Managing of Indoor Environments: Problems and Solutions - IEQ WEBINAR
Released On: 1/22/2014
Views: 3388
Save Energy and Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with PURE-Steam Deep Coil Cleaning
High efficiency coils are extremely susceptible to blockage from dust accumulation because once lodged deeply within the fins bacteria and mold may initiate growth, which not only compounds the blockage problems but also gives rise to excessive o ...
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 6142
January is National Radon Action Month
Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water.
Released On: 1/8/2014
Views: 3816
Why indoor air quality is important to all of us?
World Health Organization (WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality, 2009) concluded that the most important effect is increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma, as well as perturbation of the immunological systems
Released On: 12/31/2013
Views: 3832
Pure Air Control Services Launches New Interactive Website
The website is a true indoor environmental resource for the private and public sector including consumers, educational facilities e.g. schools, universities, along with city, county state and federal governments, healthcare and the public sector.
Released On: 12/20/2013
Views: 2885
Pure Air Control Services Awarded Certification from Doctor Trusted
“We are very proud to have been given the opportunity to display that we are a Doctor Trusted recipient. We will continue as always to help provide our customers with a great products and services,” stated Dr. Rajiv Sahay, environmental analytica ...
Released On: 12/11/2013
Views: 3833
IndoorAirTest.com Receives Seal of Approval by Doctor Trusted
IndoorAirtest.com is very proud to have a Doctor Trusted seal of approval displayed on our website, giving our customers more confidence when shopping with us.
Released On: 12/4/2013
Views: 4234
PURE-Decon/Sanosil, Reduces Sick Days Caused by Infection
Released On: 10/2/2013
Views: 3184
Controlling Asthma & Allergy Triggers Through Source Identification
The assessment of allergens in a house dust sample is an essential step for allergen-avoidance and provides information essential for allergen-reducing measures, in addition to managing the indoor environment from a health and hygiene point of view
Released On: 9/18/2013
Views: 5260
Hospitals Get a “Clean Bill of Health” with Innovative IAQ/Energy Solutions
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that patients acquire during the course of receiving healthcare treatment for other conditions.
Released On: 7/31/2013
Views: 4291
How Safe is Formaldehyde in our Buildings and Homes?
Released On: 7/17/2013
Views: 4540
Commercial Energy Solutions Seminar July 26, 2013
Released On: 7/11/2013
Views: 4613
Health Risks Associated With Indoor Microbes
Some common and frequently reported microbes of the indoor environment include, but are not limited to, viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, mold (fungi), yeast, protozoa, etc.
Released On: 6/26/2013
Views: 5797
Aspergillosis: A Cause for Indoor Concerns?
In indoor environments, this fungus can be transported from outside or may propagate on building materials such as cellulose rich sheet rocks, etc. and can generally be isolated from floors, carpets, mattress dust, Heating Ventilation Air Conditi ...
Released On: 6/19/2013
Views: 10349
Map
Pure Air Control, Services, Inc.
Get DirectionsPure Air Control, Services, Inc.
-
4911 Creekside Drive
Clearwater, Florida 33760
United States - 1 (800) 422-7873
