As you can imagine, drying out a home or other building that’s been submerged in water, whether it’s flood water or rain water, can be quite a daunting task. Here we’ll discuss a few different ways to begin the process.
A flood can happen in almost an instant, but drying out a home or other property can take a long time. Depending on the property you’re trying to dry out, using hot air drying techniques may damage the building, especially if it’s a historical one.
Before beginning the drying process, be sure to address the electrical hazard. Make sure all power to your home is completely off. Just because the power is off for all your neighbors, don’t assume that yours is off, too. This could be a very fatal mistake. Not only should you be careful of electrical hazards, but biological ones, as well. Flood waters such as those caused by Hurricane Katrina can be contaminated with human and animal waste, all manner of chemicals, and even cadavers. Protect your eyes, mouth, hands, and wear a respirator. Wash your hands in disinfectant soap after a session of cleaning and again before you eat.
Take pictures of the damage with a camera or if possible, videotape them. This documentation will make it easier when you begin negotiating with your insurance adjuster on what compensation you will be eligible for.
Make any repairs necessary to keep water from re-entering the home. These repairs should only be temporary while you get the majority of the building dried.
Any effort to begin drying out a home is the attic. Any wet insulation should be removed as quickly as possible; it is no longer useful, but it is heavy and holds moisture for quite a long time and will continue to cause damage to wood, metal, and drywall. If anything in the attic is soaked with water, remove it. These waterlogged items are heavy and can cause the ceilings to crack. Fresh air circulating through your home is a good way to begin and if you have any fans, turn them on once you’re confident that you can’t become electrocuted simply by walking around.
Opening the windows throughout the house (as long as it isn’t raining) will help and at this time you should begin to wash down any wooden items in the home in order to remove mud, silt, and other debris.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of
Texas Water Damage Restoration and
Dallas Water Damage Restoration Which are Certified IICRC Water damage and mold remediation contractors.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Stachybotrys Mold And You
We all know mold causes health damage, but one mold in particular called Stachybotrys chartarum can be extremely dangerous. Stachybotrys is the mold that most people think about when they think of “black mold” and for good reason.
Stachybotrys (sometimes called simply “stachy”) grows on water damaged wood and paper, but where it does not grow is plastic, the tiles in our kitchens and bathrooms, and concrete. Wood and water that has gotten wet and allowed to dry that way will become infected with the mold and it will spread to other areas in your house. It requires almost constant moisture in order to grow and thrive. Wet clothing tossed in the backs of closets and forgotten about is often found to have mold growing upon it. Stachy mold is usually a greenish-black, wet, and slimy when found and it requires cellulose products like paper, wood, and cotton in order to grow long term. Although the spores of wet mold do not easily enter the air, if the mold is allowed to dry out, it becomes more of a health hazard.
While stachy mold is not the only kind or even really the most common kind of mold found growing in these conditions, it is still one of the most dangerous kinds of mold to allow in your home or office because it kills brain cells and has similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s Disease. If you or anyone in your home are experiencing disorientation, memory loss, and the inability to think logically at times and are not at the age to be at risk for Alzheimer’s, a test for mold should be done to determine if this is the cause.
Common health complications due to exposure to this mold include asthma, pneumonitis, skin rashes, bloody noses, headaches, and other respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure can cause internal bleeding of the lungs, kidney failure, and liver failure. Pulmonary emphysema can also be caused by prolonged exposure to this and other black molds.
This mold is particularly likely to show up in homes or buildings that have been flooded or extensively water damaged and areas where constant leaks are present, such as water pipes and hot water heaters. Just touching this mold can cause skin rashes and because of the excessive health risks associated with it, it is often recommended that only trained mold removal specialists should be used to remove it from a home or building where it is present.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of
Texas Water Damage Restoration and
Houston Water Damage Restoration Which are Certified IICRC Water damage and mold remediation contractors.
Stachybotrys (sometimes called simply “stachy”) grows on water damaged wood and paper, but where it does not grow is plastic, the tiles in our kitchens and bathrooms, and concrete. Wood and water that has gotten wet and allowed to dry that way will become infected with the mold and it will spread to other areas in your house. It requires almost constant moisture in order to grow and thrive. Wet clothing tossed in the backs of closets and forgotten about is often found to have mold growing upon it. Stachy mold is usually a greenish-black, wet, and slimy when found and it requires cellulose products like paper, wood, and cotton in order to grow long term. Although the spores of wet mold do not easily enter the air, if the mold is allowed to dry out, it becomes more of a health hazard.
While stachy mold is not the only kind or even really the most common kind of mold found growing in these conditions, it is still one of the most dangerous kinds of mold to allow in your home or office because it kills brain cells and has similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s Disease. If you or anyone in your home are experiencing disorientation, memory loss, and the inability to think logically at times and are not at the age to be at risk for Alzheimer’s, a test for mold should be done to determine if this is the cause.
Common health complications due to exposure to this mold include asthma, pneumonitis, skin rashes, bloody noses, headaches, and other respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure can cause internal bleeding of the lungs, kidney failure, and liver failure. Pulmonary emphysema can also be caused by prolonged exposure to this and other black molds.
This mold is particularly likely to show up in homes or buildings that have been flooded or extensively water damaged and areas where constant leaks are present, such as water pipes and hot water heaters. Just touching this mold can cause skin rashes and because of the excessive health risks associated with it, it is often recommended that only trained mold removal specialists should be used to remove it from a home or building where it is present.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of
Texas Water Damage Restoration and
Houston Water Damage Restoration Which are Certified IICRC Water damage and mold remediation contractors.
Protect Your Water Pipes in the Winter
People who are spending their first winter in their new home and have never owned a home before might not think about the kind of damage a burst water pipe can cause. New homeowners don’t often think about this very real problem and it can lead to some very expensive consequences.
Water pipes in the home that are not properly insulated can freeze and burst in the winter if the temperature drops to below 20 degrees. Even a crack that is only one-eighth of an inch can let out over 250 gallons of water each day and the water damage this can cause can potentially be catastrophic. Your floors, clothes, carpet, and personal items will be damaged and as the water dries up and spring returns, it will leave you with a more serious problem. This problem is mold and when water damage to your home isn’t repaired correctly or not repaired at all, it can grow in your home and make your entire family become sick over time. While most insurance policies do not cover mold, water damage is usually covered to some extent. Preventing water damage to your home that is covered can help you prevent the mold damage to your home that isn’t covered and while any kind of water damage can cause this mold to grow, but burst frozen pipes are one of the easiest things to prevent.
One of the first things that you should do during the winter is cover your indoor water pipes with insulation. Where possible, make sure warm air can get to your pipes during a deep freeze. Do this either by opening the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks or placing a space heater in the room with these pipes. If you’re going to use space heaters, be careful and don’t leave them unattended for long or where they can possibly catch things on fire. Don’t use extension cords with space heaters and keep anything that could catch fire preferably over 5 feet away or you could be facing a fire damage problem instead of water.
Disconnect any garden hoses and make sure cracks in your home’s foundation are sealed so cold air, water, and snow can’t get inside to your pipes. Keeping a small bit of water running through hot and cold water faucets can also mean the difference between a busted and an un-busted pipe.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
New Jersey mold inspections and other states and cities such as
north carolina mold inspections companies across the united states.
Water pipes in the home that are not properly insulated can freeze and burst in the winter if the temperature drops to below 20 degrees. Even a crack that is only one-eighth of an inch can let out over 250 gallons of water each day and the water damage this can cause can potentially be catastrophic. Your floors, clothes, carpet, and personal items will be damaged and as the water dries up and spring returns, it will leave you with a more serious problem. This problem is mold and when water damage to your home isn’t repaired correctly or not repaired at all, it can grow in your home and make your entire family become sick over time. While most insurance policies do not cover mold, water damage is usually covered to some extent. Preventing water damage to your home that is covered can help you prevent the mold damage to your home that isn’t covered and while any kind of water damage can cause this mold to grow, but burst frozen pipes are one of the easiest things to prevent.
One of the first things that you should do during the winter is cover your indoor water pipes with insulation. Where possible, make sure warm air can get to your pipes during a deep freeze. Do this either by opening the cabinets under your kitchen and bathroom sinks or placing a space heater in the room with these pipes. If you’re going to use space heaters, be careful and don’t leave them unattended for long or where they can possibly catch things on fire. Don’t use extension cords with space heaters and keep anything that could catch fire preferably over 5 feet away or you could be facing a fire damage problem instead of water.
Disconnect any garden hoses and make sure cracks in your home’s foundation are sealed so cold air, water, and snow can’t get inside to your pipes. Keeping a small bit of water running through hot and cold water faucets can also mean the difference between a busted and an un-busted pipe.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
New Jersey mold inspections and other states and cities such as
north carolina mold inspections companies across the united states.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Respirators Needed For Mold Remediations
When you are trying to kill and remove mold from your home or your business establishment, there are a number of different things that you need to purchase before this remediation can begin. Depending on the size of the infection, what you will need to buy can vary. Not stirring up mold spores and having as few in the air that you are breathing as possible is one of the most important concerns when you are doing this remediation on your own, because you are probably not trained in how to do this effectively. Any porous material that has become infected with mold can stir up mold spores when you begin to break it apart, such as drywall or contaminated wallpaper. If you are going to do any invasive procedures in the home to remove mold such as trying to remove mold from the inside of your walls by removing drywall, you will want to have a good respirator on hand and a protective body suit to keep the mold from coming into contact with your skin.
If you want just the minimum amount of protection from mold, then what you will probably need is an N-95 type respirator. This will cover up your nose and mouth and will effectively keep around 95 percent of mold spores and other particles in the air near you from entering your sinuses. You can find these in most hardware stores and also in some department stores.
If you want something that will help protect you just a tad better, then a full or even just a half-face APR (air purifying respirator) will help you out. These have HEPA filters on them and will filter the air that comes into your respirator so that no mold spores or other particles in the air around you get inside the mask. You will want to make sure that whatever respirator you choose to buy is approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. These will not protect your eyes.
If the mold growth is extensive and you will be exposed to it for a long period of time before the remediation is finished, you will want an APR that is powered by electricity. These are all full-face, HEPA filter equipped respirators and in order to be able to use this kind of respirator, you must be trained. Usage of these in a commercial setting should always be in accordance with OSHA’s regulations.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Houston Fire Damage Water Restoration Contractor companies and
Los Angeles Water Damage and Restoration Services.
If you want just the minimum amount of protection from mold, then what you will probably need is an N-95 type respirator. This will cover up your nose and mouth and will effectively keep around 95 percent of mold spores and other particles in the air near you from entering your sinuses. You can find these in most hardware stores and also in some department stores.
If you want something that will help protect you just a tad better, then a full or even just a half-face APR (air purifying respirator) will help you out. These have HEPA filters on them and will filter the air that comes into your respirator so that no mold spores or other particles in the air around you get inside the mask. You will want to make sure that whatever respirator you choose to buy is approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. These will not protect your eyes.
If the mold growth is extensive and you will be exposed to it for a long period of time before the remediation is finished, you will want an APR that is powered by electricity. These are all full-face, HEPA filter equipped respirators and in order to be able to use this kind of respirator, you must be trained. Usage of these in a commercial setting should always be in accordance with OSHA’s regulations.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Houston Fire Damage Water Restoration Contractor companies and
Los Angeles Water Damage and Restoration Services.
Respirators for Mold Remediation Jobs
Finding mold in your home is rarely a pleasant experience and what is even less pleasant is having to check your pocketbook to see if you can really afford to have the problem dealt with by a professional. Not everyone has this luxury, but if you know what kind of equipment that you need to take care of the problem on your own and follow a few basic rules, you should be able to take care of most infections on your own. Perhaps the most important piece of equipment that you can buy is a respirator and depending on the size of the infection, you may need one of at least three different kinds.
The first and lowest level of protection from mold spores getting into your respiratory system is an N-95 respirator. Aside from not using a respirator at all, this is the lowest level of protection and it is by far the most affordable. This will cover your nose and mouth and will effectively remove about 95 percent of mold spores and other air particles from the air that you breathe through it. Unfortunately, this type of respirator will not protect your eyes and mold spores can enter the body through the eyes, as well as the respiratory system. Eye infections are not uncommon.
The next step in protection that you might want to look at if you are dealing with a larger infection in your home is an air purifying respirator. These respirators come equipped with HEPA filters and will filter out about 99 percent of the particles in the air that you breathe through it. These kinds of respirators will also not effectively protect your eyes, but they do come in both half-face and full-face types. Fortunately, this type of APR does not require any training in order to use it, however, the next level of protection does require some training. You also need to be certain that both this kind of APR and the next kind are approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health before purchasing them.
The best kind of protection (but the most expensive) is a powered APR. These come with HEPA filters, as well, but they also require a power source and training in order to use them properly. There are also guidelines written by OSHA that must be followed. These cannot be used in a commercial business or setting unless OSHA regulations are followed.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
Dallas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors. (1)
The first and lowest level of protection from mold spores getting into your respiratory system is an N-95 respirator. Aside from not using a respirator at all, this is the lowest level of protection and it is by far the most affordable. This will cover your nose and mouth and will effectively remove about 95 percent of mold spores and other air particles from the air that you breathe through it. Unfortunately, this type of respirator will not protect your eyes and mold spores can enter the body through the eyes, as well as the respiratory system. Eye infections are not uncommon.
The next step in protection that you might want to look at if you are dealing with a larger infection in your home is an air purifying respirator. These respirators come equipped with HEPA filters and will filter out about 99 percent of the particles in the air that you breathe through it. These kinds of respirators will also not effectively protect your eyes, but they do come in both half-face and full-face types. Fortunately, this type of APR does not require any training in order to use it, however, the next level of protection does require some training. You also need to be certain that both this kind of APR and the next kind are approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health before purchasing them.
The best kind of protection (but the most expensive) is a powered APR. These come with HEPA filters, as well, but they also require a power source and training in order to use them properly. There are also guidelines written by OSHA that must be followed. These cannot be used in a commercial business or setting unless OSHA regulations are followed.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
water damage restoration companies and
Dallas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors. (1)
Finding mold in your home is rarely a pleasant experience and what is even less pleasant is having to check your pocketbook to see if you can really afford to have the problem dealt with by a professional. Not everyone has this luxury, but if you know what kind of equipment that you need to take care of the problem on your own and follow a few basic rules, you should be able to take care of most infections on your own. Perhaps the most important piece of equipment that you can buy is a respirator and depending on the size of the infection, you may need one of at least three different kinds.
The first and lowest level of protection from mold spores getting into your respiratory system is an N-95 respirator. Aside from not using a respirator at all, this is the lowest level of protection and it is by far the most affordable. This will cover your nose and mouth and will effectively remove about 95 percent of mold spores and other air particles from the air that you breathe through it. Unfortunately, this type of respirator will not protect your eyes and mold spores can enter the body through the eyes, as well as the respiratory system. Eye infections are not uncommon.
The next step in protection that you might want to look at if you are dealing with a larger infection in your home is an air purifying respirator. These respirators come equipped with HEPA filters and will filter out about 99 percent of the particles in the air that you breathe through it. These kinds of respirators will also not effectively protect your eyes, but they do come in both half-face and full-face types. Fortunately, this type of APR does not require any training in order to use it, however, the next level of protection does require some training. You also need to be certain that both this kind of APR and the next kind are approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health before purchasing them.
The best kind of protection (but the most expensive) is a powered APR. These come with HEPA filters, as well, but they also require a power source and training in order to use them properly. There are also guidelines written by OSHA that must be followed. These cannot be used in a commercial business or setting unless OSHA regulations are followed.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Miami water damage restoration companies and
mold remediation companies across the united states.
The first and lowest level of protection from mold spores getting into your respiratory system is an N-95 respirator. Aside from not using a respirator at all, this is the lowest level of protection and it is by far the most affordable. This will cover your nose and mouth and will effectively remove about 95 percent of mold spores and other air particles from the air that you breathe through it. Unfortunately, this type of respirator will not protect your eyes and mold spores can enter the body through the eyes, as well as the respiratory system. Eye infections are not uncommon.
The next step in protection that you might want to look at if you are dealing with a larger infection in your home is an air purifying respirator. These respirators come equipped with HEPA filters and will filter out about 99 percent of the particles in the air that you breathe through it. These kinds of respirators will also not effectively protect your eyes, but they do come in both half-face and full-face types. Fortunately, this type of APR does not require any training in order to use it, however, the next level of protection does require some training. You also need to be certain that both this kind of APR and the next kind are approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health before purchasing them.
The best kind of protection (but the most expensive) is a powered APR. These come with HEPA filters, as well, but they also require a power source and training in order to use them properly. There are also guidelines written by OSHA that must be followed. These cannot be used in a commercial business or setting unless OSHA regulations are followed.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Miami water damage restoration companies and
mold remediation companies across the united states.
Mold Remediation Respirators
When you are working on killing or removing the mold from a building, the equipment that you will need to safely do this job can vary just a bit, depending on the size of the area you are trying to treat. You might just need some cloths, mold killing chemicals, rubber gloves, and a light respirator if it is just a surface infection like on a countertop or on a vinyl floor. But, if you are planning on tearing out any drywall and getting to an infection that exists inside your walls or ceiling, then you will need some protection equipment that is just a bit more extensive. There are different levels of protection equipment just as there are different levels of mold infestations and there are a few things that you need to know about respirators.
No matter what level mold infestation you are dealing with getting rid of, you will need an N-95 type respirator. This is about the minimum level of protection that you can use and the next level down would be using none at all; this is, of course not advised. When you are cleaning, mold spores are stirred up into the air, especially if you are taking out drywall or removing contaminated wallpaper, so even if you have been living in a contaminated household for a while, the risk you are taking by not using a respirator when you are getting rid of it is considerable. You can find this kind of respirator in most hardware and even some department stores.
Air purifying respirators are the next step up in protection and these always have HEPA filters in them. These filter out almost all particles that you are breathing in while you are working. This kind of respirator does not protect your eyes and are available in half face and full face kinds. The best thing about this kind of respirator is not only the HEPA filter, but also the fact that using this kind does not require any training. The next step in protection does.
The highest level of breathing protection will come from a powered air purifying respirator. These also come equipped with HEPA filters, but require electricity and some training in order to be able to use them. OSHA guidelines must also be followed to the letter if you are planning on using these respirators in a commercial setting.
All respirators must be approved for usage by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Orlando water damage restoration companies and
Water Damage Restoration companies across the united states.
No matter what level mold infestation you are dealing with getting rid of, you will need an N-95 type respirator. This is about the minimum level of protection that you can use and the next level down would be using none at all; this is, of course not advised. When you are cleaning, mold spores are stirred up into the air, especially if you are taking out drywall or removing contaminated wallpaper, so even if you have been living in a contaminated household for a while, the risk you are taking by not using a respirator when you are getting rid of it is considerable. You can find this kind of respirator in most hardware and even some department stores.
Air purifying respirators are the next step up in protection and these always have HEPA filters in them. These filter out almost all particles that you are breathing in while you are working. This kind of respirator does not protect your eyes and are available in half face and full face kinds. The best thing about this kind of respirator is not only the HEPA filter, but also the fact that using this kind does not require any training. The next step in protection does.
The highest level of breathing protection will come from a powered air purifying respirator. These also come equipped with HEPA filters, but require electricity and some training in order to be able to use them. OSHA guidelines must also be followed to the letter if you are planning on using these respirators in a commercial setting.
All respirators must be approved for usage by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Orlando water damage restoration companies and
Water Damage Restoration companies across the united states.
Mold Dogs are Unprofessional
When you go to hire a professional company that deals with mold contaminations, there are a few different things that you need to look for to determine whether or not the company is actually professional or not. Do they use the most modern methods of mold detection and cleaning? Do they wear protective gear? What kind of gear do they wear? Body suits? Respirators? And this is perhaps one of the most important questions of all: do they use animals to detect the presence of mold in your home?
The simple fact is that companies that use dogs to detect mold in a home or business are not professionals. They just are not. The practice of using dogs to detect mold in a home or in another building is inhumane and cruel to the animal, simply because of the knowledge that pets are just as susceptible to health damage due to mold as human beings are. A “mold dog” cannot detect whether or not the mold that exists in your home is toxic, what kind of mold it is, or in what quantity that it may exist. This is what mold laboratories and testing kits are for. All a mold dog can do is tell you if mold exists on the premises or not.
It can cost thousands of dollars for a company to have a dog trained to detect mold, but even after the dog is trained, it is almost surely money thrown down the drain. Dogs are trained to actively inhale mold spores, which is something that we as human beings are repeatedly told NEVER to do. We are told to wear respirators to filter these harmful spores out of the air that we breathe when we are dealing with mold. The animal is not aware that these spores can harm them at all. Dogs can develop severe skin, eye, and sinus infections and not to mention lung infections and even pneumonia. Unfortunately, the dog has no way of telling us that something is wrong with it. It knows, but cannot communicate this to us.
There are many other more modern, more professional ways to deal with the task of detecting mold on a piece of property. Any company that uses mold to detect dogs is not one that you want to deal with. Mold dog websites often have pictures of completely healthy animals and they will remain healthy for a while, but the typical cause of death is due to mold-related health complications.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Texas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors and
Water Damage Restoration companies across the united states.
The simple fact is that companies that use dogs to detect mold in a home or business are not professionals. They just are not. The practice of using dogs to detect mold in a home or in another building is inhumane and cruel to the animal, simply because of the knowledge that pets are just as susceptible to health damage due to mold as human beings are. A “mold dog” cannot detect whether or not the mold that exists in your home is toxic, what kind of mold it is, or in what quantity that it may exist. This is what mold laboratories and testing kits are for. All a mold dog can do is tell you if mold exists on the premises or not.
It can cost thousands of dollars for a company to have a dog trained to detect mold, but even after the dog is trained, it is almost surely money thrown down the drain. Dogs are trained to actively inhale mold spores, which is something that we as human beings are repeatedly told NEVER to do. We are told to wear respirators to filter these harmful spores out of the air that we breathe when we are dealing with mold. The animal is not aware that these spores can harm them at all. Dogs can develop severe skin, eye, and sinus infections and not to mention lung infections and even pneumonia. Unfortunately, the dog has no way of telling us that something is wrong with it. It knows, but cannot communicate this to us.
There are many other more modern, more professional ways to deal with the task of detecting mold on a piece of property. Any company that uses mold to detect dogs is not one that you want to deal with. Mold dog websites often have pictures of completely healthy animals and they will remain healthy for a while, but the typical cause of death is due to mold-related health complications.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Texas Residential Water Damage Restoration Contractors and
Water Damage Restoration companies across the united states.
Mold Causes Valley Fever in the Southwest
Mold Causes Valley Fever in the Southwest
There is a mold that exists in the southwestern United States, different areas of South America, and the deserts of Mexico that the majority of people are not aware of when they visit the area. The people the most at risk for coming into contact with this mold are construction workers and archeologists, because they dig around in the soil where this mold tends to be found. What is it called and just how dangerous is it really?
Coccidioides immitis causes a skin disease that has been referred to as “Valley Fever” by some, but as Coccidioidomycosis to physicians. The features of this skin disease are typically rashes, coughing, myalgia, rashes, and headaches. Myalgia is synonymous with “muscle pain” and this can be a sign or symptom of many other different kinds of diseases, not just Valley Fever. The usual cause of myalgia is the over-use of a specific muscle or possibly an entire set of muscles. If a person does not have a medical history of overworking or accidents, then the myalgia is probably being caused by a bacterial or even a viral infection. If it is present in a person chronically, then it could possibly be a sign of some deficiency in the person’s nutrition.
The disease is known to be endemic in the states of New Mexico, California, and Arizona.
The most common cause of C. immitis exposure is due to the digging or disturbing of soil that has been contaminated. For the mold spores to get into the air and allow you to inhale them, this contaminated soil typically needs to be wet and recently, in order for archeologists to be able to dig in soil in the southwestern United States, they have ordered the soil be saturated with water first to avoid this exposure. This has been put into practice not only with archeologists, but also any other occupation that involves digging into the soil. Soil can also be stirred up due to natural disasters such as earthquakes or dust storms.
Those at the risk for developing the most serious aspects of the disease can include those who are pregnant and in their third trimester, African Americans, Asians, and anyone with a weakened immune system, such as those who have HIV or AIDS. Severe pulmonary disease could develop in these individuals in addition to the skin rashes, fever, and other symptoms that are associated with Valley Fever.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Miami water damage restoration companies and
mold remediation companies across the united states.
There is a mold that exists in the southwestern United States, different areas of South America, and the deserts of Mexico that the majority of people are not aware of when they visit the area. The people the most at risk for coming into contact with this mold are construction workers and archeologists, because they dig around in the soil where this mold tends to be found. What is it called and just how dangerous is it really?
Coccidioides immitis causes a skin disease that has been referred to as “Valley Fever” by some, but as Coccidioidomycosis to physicians. The features of this skin disease are typically rashes, coughing, myalgia, rashes, and headaches. Myalgia is synonymous with “muscle pain” and this can be a sign or symptom of many other different kinds of diseases, not just Valley Fever. The usual cause of myalgia is the over-use of a specific muscle or possibly an entire set of muscles. If a person does not have a medical history of overworking or accidents, then the myalgia is probably being caused by a bacterial or even a viral infection. If it is present in a person chronically, then it could possibly be a sign of some deficiency in the person’s nutrition.
The disease is known to be endemic in the states of New Mexico, California, and Arizona.
The most common cause of C. immitis exposure is due to the digging or disturbing of soil that has been contaminated. For the mold spores to get into the air and allow you to inhale them, this contaminated soil typically needs to be wet and recently, in order for archeologists to be able to dig in soil in the southwestern United States, they have ordered the soil be saturated with water first to avoid this exposure. This has been put into practice not only with archeologists, but also any other occupation that involves digging into the soil. Soil can also be stirred up due to natural disasters such as earthquakes or dust storms.
Those at the risk for developing the most serious aspects of the disease can include those who are pregnant and in their third trimester, African Americans, Asians, and anyone with a weakened immune system, such as those who have HIV or AIDS. Severe pulmonary disease could develop in these individuals in addition to the skin rashes, fever, and other symptoms that are associated with Valley Fever.
Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Miami water damage restoration companies and
mold remediation companies across the united states.
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