Mold Testing and Remediation
Restoration and Environmental Safety Technologies, LLC
We visually evaluate structures for possible mold contamination and take samples; using this information, our specialists will develop a remediation plan. There are not any mold regulations in Michigan, only recognized international standards to follow. This means, an expert must hold higher credentials to abate a mold problem. We are highly qualified and perform mold abatement in any area of your home or business.
Toxic black mold causes serious symptoms and health problems such as mental impairment, breathing problems, damage to internal organs and sometimes even death. The main groups of symptoms toxic black mold causes are:
- Mental and neurological symptoms
- Respiratory symptoms
- Circulatory symptoms
- Vision and eye problems
- Skin problems
- Immune system problems
- Reproductive system problems
- Tiredness and discomfort
- Other illnesses and health effects
Yes, people are indeed ill, and stay ill by exposure to Water Damaged Buildings (WDB). There have been lots of names for the illness over the years, including “Mold illness.” The best discussion of the academic basis for this illness is found in the Expert Treating Physicians Consensus report published 7/2010. Here are some basic ideas: this illness is not an allergy. It is an inflammation within the body which is caused by an immune system that has gone haywire. The term “mold illness” is a subcategory of biotoxin illness called Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). The proper definition of CIRS is:
“An acute and chronic, systemic inflammatory response syndrome acquired following exposure to the interior environment of a water-damaged building with resident toxigenic organisms, including, but not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes and mycobacteria as well as inflammagens such as endotoxins, beta glucans, hemolysins, proteinases, mannans and possibly spirocyclic drimanes; as well as volatile organic compounds.
We live in the Era of Dangerous Buildings with 50% of our buildings (NIOSH, 2011) having water damage so the likelihood that you won’t ever be exposed to dangerous buildings is quite low.
The trichothecene mycotoxins produced by toxic black mold are neurotoxic. This means they can kill neurons in the brain and impair a person’s mental ability. They also cause nervous disorders such as tremors and can cause personality changes such as mood swings and irritability.
Symptoms from Toxic Mold:
- Confusion
- Brain fog
- Shortened attention span
- Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
- Slowed reflexes
- Disorientation
- Dizziness
- Memory loss and memory problems
- Impaired learning ability
- Numbness
- Hallucinations
- Shock
- Anxiety
Others include: Aggression and other personality changes, Tingling, Trembling , Shaking, and Seizures.
- Depression
People living in homes with toxic mold are exposed mainly through breathing in toxic mold spores and mycotoxins. Toxic mold mycotoxins create irritation and a burning feeling in a person’s air passages such as the nasal cavity, mouth and throat. The mycotoxins can even become lodged in the mucus membranes, sinuses and the lungs which then causes a burning feeling, breathing problems and bleeding in the lungs.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Difficulty breathing – breathlessness or shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Pulmonary edema – swelling of the lungs
- Pulmonary hemorrhage – bleeding in the lungs
- Sore throat
- Burning sensation of the mouth
- Bleeding gums
- Runny nose
- Stuffy, blocked nose
- Nose bleeds
Toxic mold mycotoxins can be breathed in, ingested, or absorbed through a person’s skin or eyes. Eventually the mycotoxins then find their way into the person’s blood. This leads to heart damage, problems with blood clotting and internal or external hemorrhaging.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Bleeding tendency
- Blood not clotting properly
- Hemorrhage – internal bleeding
- Vomiting up blood
- Bleeding in the brain and in other organs
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart inflammation
- Damage to heart
- Low blood pressure
- Bone marrow disruption
Toxic mold mycotoxins that are in the air can enter a person’s eyes. The mycotoxins are cytotoxic (toxic to cells) and when they come into contact with eye cells they cause inflamed and injured eyes and create vision problems.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Eye inflammation and soreness
- Red or bloodshot eyes
- Eye damage
- Blurry vision and vision worsening
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes)
Through the skin is one of the three main ways that toxic mold mycotoxins enter the human body. There have been cases in the past where people have handled hay contaminated with toxic mold and developed severe rashes and skin problems on their body where they touched the hay, as well as on sweaty areas like the armpits.
Symptoms Include:
- Crawling skin
- Dermatitis – skin inflammation, rash, blisters, itchiness
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Toxic mold puts out chemicals which suppress the immune system. In fact many immunosuppressive drugs are actually created from toxic molds. A person who is immunocompromised from being around toxic mold will more easily get infections and sicknesses.
Symptoms Include:
- Immunosuppression – immune system not functioning properly
- Infections reoccurring
Mycotoxins from toxic mold are teratogenic. This means they can cause problems in the fetus during pregnancy which then leads to birth defects. Toxic black mold mycotoxins are also cytoxotic and mutagenic (cause cell mutations) and inhibit protein synthesis including DNA and RNA.
Symptoms Include:
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Impotence
- Fetal development problems
When a person is around toxic mold the immune system may release a sedative called Chloral Hydrate. This is used as a defense to try to slow down the effects of toxic mold. But this also makes a person tired and causes fatigue. Toxic mold can also cause soreness of the muscles and joints.
Symptoms Include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Aches and pains
- Muscle pain
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Joint pain
- Malaise – general discomfort
- Headaches
- Cold or flu type symptoms or recurring colds
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Symptoms Include:
- Hair Loss
- Weight loss, anorexia
- Hearing loss
- Liver disease
- Coma
- Death