Recovering from Water Damage Timely Remediation Removes Mold and Toxins
by Susan Aimes I
ndoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than outside air, ac- cording to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As homes have become more airtight and energy ef- ficient, they have also become more prone to problems with indoor air pol- lutants, as well as moisture challenges arising from leaks, plumbing failures, spills and condensed water vapor. Indoor air pollutants commonly
include dust, which is largely com- posed of skin and hair cells from people and animals; and volatile or- ganic compounds (VOC) emitted by plastics, adhesives, textiles, finishes and cleaning products. Also in the air are mold spores, mold parts and mi- crobial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) produced by mold. Some molds also emit substances called mycotoxins, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have linked to a litany of health problems, including chronic sinusitis, asthma and other respiratory ailments. After even a single incident of
water damage occurs in a building, molds can grow inside walls and then become dormant until a subsequent incident of high humidity. The right
conditions reactivate mold, which explains how it can appear to be a sud- den issue long after a previous flood or water incident that did not produce such a problem. Studies also show that mycotoxin levels are measurably higher in buildings that have experi- enced damage from water or moisture. Water damage, which can range
from flooded living areas following a storm to broken drainpipes or a leaky bathroom sink, generally requires the services of a water remediation compa- ny. Wet vacuuming or using the service of a carpet cleaner to suck up the water may provide a false sense of security, because mold and mildew can con- tinue living on wood, carpet, sheetrock and particle board. When there is any type of water damage, a qualified reme- diation company can help; their trained technicians focus on detecting, locat- ing and quantifying the extent of mold growth and mold-affected areas, as well as destroying the growth of harmful bacteria, mold and mildew.
Resource: All Quality Cleaning Inc., Na- ples Water Remediation Company, 835 11th St. N.W., Naples. 239-566-9271.
AQCleaning.com. See ad, page 14.
breathe
natural awakenings
January 2013
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