Blog Post

Environmental Impact of Mold Remediation in Naples, FL

  • By American Mold Experts
  • •
  • 05 Apr, 2024
  • •

Mold remediation in Naples is a critical process for restoring indoor air quality and safeguarding the health of occupants. While the primary focus of mold remediation is to eliminate mold contamination, it's essential to consider its environmental impact. Understanding the environmental implications of mold remediation can help ensure that the process is conducted responsibly and sustainably.

Assessing the Environmental Impact

Mold Assessment by American Mold Experts

Before initiating mold remediation efforts, a comprehensive mold assessment is conducted by professionals from American Mold Experts. This assessment involves:

Identification of Mold Species: Determining the types of mold present in the indoor environment to assess their toxicity levels and potential health risks.

Evaluation of Mold Contamination: Assessing the extent of mold growth and identifying areas of moisture intrusion or water damage that contribute to mold proliferation.

Assessment of Environmental Factors: Analyzing indoor environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity levels, and ventilation to understand the underlying causes of mold growth.

Minimizing Environmental Footprint

Sustainable Remediation Practices

American Mold Experts employs sustainable mold remediation practices to minimize its environmental footprint. These practices include:

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Agents: Utilizing environmentally-safe cleaning agents and biocides that effectively target mold without causing harm to the surrounding environment.

Containment Measures: Implementing containment strategies to prevent the spread of mold spores to unaffected areas during remediation, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Proper Waste Disposal: Adhering to proper waste disposal protocols to ensure that contaminated materials are safely removed and disposed of in accordance with local regulations.

Mitigating Disruption to Ecosystems

Preservation of Indoor Air Quality

Effective mold remediation helps preserve indoor air quality by removing mold spores and mycotoxins from the environment. This not only protects the health of occupants but also minimizes the potential for respiratory issues and allergic reactions.

 Preventing Structural Damage

Timely mold remediation prevents structural damage to buildings and infrastructure caused by prolonged exposure to moisture and mold growth. By addressing mold infestations promptly, the need for extensive repairs and renovations is reduced, thereby minimizing the environmental impact associated with construction activities.

Sustainable Practices in Mold Remediation

Energy-Efficient Equipment

American Mold Experts utilizes energy-efficient equipment and technologies during the remediation process to minimize energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions. This includes the use of high-efficiency air filtration systems and equipment with low energy consumption ratings.

Green Building Materials

Whenever possible, American Mold Experts opts for green building materials that are eco-friendly and sustainable. This includes the use of recycled materials, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products, and sustainable building practices to minimize environmental impact.

Eco-Friendly Disinfection Methods

In addition to using eco-friendly cleaning agents, American Mold Experts employs disinfection methods that are safe for the environment. This includes the use of ozone treatments, UV light sterilization, and other non-toxic disinfection techniques to eliminate mold and bacteria without harmful chemical residues.

Conclusion

Mold remediation plays a crucial role in preserving environmental quality and ensuring the safety of indoor spaces in Naples, FL. Through responsible remediation practices and sustainable approaches, such as those employed by American Mold Experts, the environmental impact of mold remediation can be minimized while effectively mitigating mold contamination and safeguarding public health. By prioritizing sustainability and environmental stewardship, mold remediation professionals in Naples can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future.

Is your indoor environment making your pet sick?

By JULIE NICOLL, AMERICAN MOLD EXPERTS • 03 Oct, 2023

Today, let’s dive into the question, “Is your indoor environment making your pet sick?” We love our pets, and most of us do whatever it takes to make our pets’ lives enjoyable and healthy. We provide them with toys, walks, and the best food to keep them healthy. If they get sick, we take them to the vet to determine the cause and help them feel better. In today’s article, I will delve into the issue of how our homes can make our pets sick. When we are talking about the indoor environment and drivers of illness, we need to consider three primary toxin sources: mold, toxins (mycotoxins), and volatile chemicals (VOCs).

Toxins are defined as poisonous substances that are specific to the metabolic activities of a living organism. A common saying in toxicology is that “the dose makes the poison,” meaning that anything is toxic if you are given enough of it. However, it is equally important to understand that everyone detoxifies at different rates, and what affects one person may not affect another similarly. Humans, cats, and dogs detoxify at vastly different rates. Since mycotoxins and VOCs are detoxified mainly through binders, this can sometimes be problematic.1

Mold & Back To School

By Julie S. Hurst- Nicoll, MBA, CMI, CMR – President, American Mold Experts • 14 Aug, 2023
It’s back to school time. Most parents look forward to the school routine but not the times your child comes home ill. Often we count our child’s illness as exposure to all those “kid germs”. But could it be mold in the school? It’s not surprising that our government through the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) puts out Guidelines for Mold & Indoor air quality in School or How to reduce Mold Growth in School.¹ As our kids get back in school this fall, many may be exposed to high mold levels.

Why Might Our Schools Have Mold?
. High humidity plagues many months of the year.
. Schools in an effort to save energy costs during the summer months turn up the thermostats to save energy so the HVAC runs less time. Let us remember the #2 job of HVAC is to dehumidify.
. While the kids are off for summer break, carpet & entry mat cleaning can create excess humidity.
. Rainy season can lead to indoor leaks, roof, plumbing, condensation that might not be caught as quickly as during the school year.
. Indoor humidity rises above 60%.

What to look for:
. musty smells
. condensation
. water stains on ceilings, walls, floors and window sills
. any obvious mold
. something that looks like dust on the underside of book shelves, desks, behind book cases or furniture up against a wall. Remember dust is a particulate and follows gravity to the tops of surfaces or on the floor. It does not settle on the underneath side of furniture/desks, that is typically what I call the invisible mold.

But keep in mind that the most common molds don’t require a water leak or direct water source but simply flourishe in high humidity and often looks like dust!! Mold colonies in as little as two weeks produce a byproduct called mycotoxins. Mold toxins are absorbed into our respiratory and digestive tracks as well as your skin. These mycotoxins can cause fatigue, brain fog, poor mood, lethargy, chronic sinus issues and difficulty with learning and memory.

Boston Children’s Hospital reports health effects of hypersensitivity reactions like asthma, allergic rhinitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, airway & conjunctival irritations, acute toxicity syndromes, infections and nonspecific symptoms such as eye irritation, coughing, sore throat, headaches and difficulty concentrating.²

Dr. Rick Sponaugle of Oldsmar, Florida states the longer the mold is present the worse the symptoms become. He explains mycotoxins from mold are made of fatty acids and find themselves in the body, being lipophilic and embedding into the fatty tissues of the body, particularly the brain, which is comprised mainly of adipose tissue. Once in the brain, these toxins can kill or damage neurons, impairing brain function and thus developing neurological symptoms and conditions.³

Mold exposure can also lead to behavior issues. Mental Health of Connecticut reports mold can present itself in a psychiatric way too. This included brain fog, anxiety, trouble concentrating and see people seeking and receiving treatment for a mental illness that only exists because of their exposure to mold. Further they remind us that research has found that 25% are more vulnerable to mold toxicity due to a genetic predisposition. This can result in a family living in the same home ( or classroom) and only one person presents with symptoms which can be physical or mental or both.⁴

If your children exhibit new symptoms after starting school, you may want to consider mold as an issue. And when you visit the school be on the lookout for signs of water damage, discolored ceiling tiles or a musty smell. And keep in mind your child may be the one in four that has a genetic predisposition to mold toxicity.

How to search out help? Most functional medical doctors can diagnose mold toxicity or a few lab allow testing without a doctors order. One such lab is Real Time Labs in Texas who will mail you a kit for a urine specimen. Note allergy doctors look for allergy to mold, not mold toxicity, so if you suspect mold look for a specialty doctor who has experience with mold toxicity.

 

AMERICAN MOLD EXPERTS
Call today to schedule an assessment!
239-572-2216 or visit www.AMEswf.com

Julie S. Hurst- Nicoll, MBA, CMI, CMR
President, American Mold Experts

Serving Central Indiana & Southwest Florida
(Other States for Mold Toxic Patients/Clients Upon Arrangement)
Mold Inspections, Testing & NON-Destructive Remediation
Clearance Testing is ALWAYS INCLUDED in Warranted Jobs (excluding States that forbid clearance by Remediation
Company, ie Florida)
A+ Accredited Better Business Bureau (BBB)
IICRC Certified Company
FL License MRSA 3097, MRSR 3248

References:
1. https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-and-indoor-air-quality-schools

2. https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/pediatric-environmental-health-center/patient-resources/q...

3. https://sponauglewellness.com/mold-toxicity/symptoms/children/

4. https://www.mhconn.org/mind-body-health/could-mold-be-affecting-your-mental-health/#:~:text=This%20i....


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