Are you suffering from debilitating pain all over (Fibromyalgia), fatigue (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), an autoimmune disorder, leaky gut, brain fog and other problems, while the routine tests that your doctor or specialist runs keep coming back negative? Join me this week for my next blog on Biotoxin Illness.
The real name for this disorder is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), brought to light by Richie Shoemaker, MD and detailed on his website survivingmold.com. While there are several causes, the most common is toxic mold from the interior of a water damaged building, which is a problem for over 50% of the buildings in America. Please refer to my prior blogs for more information on the symptoms and screening tests.
In my last blog, I discussed ERMI testing of your environment to confirm if any of the 5 toxic mold organisms, that make us sick, are present. Now, I would like to discuss the remediation of your home or work place to create a safe “bubble” to live and work in while going through the detoxification protocol to heal from this disorder.
The most common source of contamination for my patients is the HVAC system. This is the AC/heating system for your home and work. I was educated about HVAC systems by Mike Lyon of Cole’s Air, who I consider the most mold literate and thorough AC person I have met in SW Florida. Mike taught me about all of the ways the HVAC system can grow mold due to faulty service and balancing. Once the coils and/or fan in the air handler grow mold, it is blown all over your home and contaminates everything. Many of my patients have Mike inspect their HVAC system and he sends me pictures of the mold found. Disgusting!
Other places for mold growth include wet drywall and carpet. This is now a common problem in our area due to Irma. If wet drywall is not removed within 48 hours, mold will start to grow on the backside, invisible from the room. Wet carpet also needs to be removed quickly unless it is just a small area that can be dried with fans. The mold grows deep down in the fibers and is hard to remove. It is best to live in a home with solid surface floors that can be easily cleaned.
If the ERMI test is suspicious for toxic mold, and if the HVAC system is felt to only be partly to blame, then I suggest bringing in an Indoor Air Quality Specialist who is thoroughly familiar with the latest information on toxic molds and their remediation. In our area, Irv Kraut is such a specialist and will determine where the mold is and how to remove it. He then writes the remediation protocol for the remediation company to follow and makes sure it is completed properly.
Beware of so-called mold remediation companies. There are no good standards to call yourself one and many are using methods that are outdated given current science. They need to have a proven track record and a good reputation with people like Irv and Mike. I have had several patients who had their home remediation done by a certified mold remdiator and they got incredibly sick because it was not done properly. Buyer beware.
Other things that are important to create a safe “bubble” in the home or workplace include removing cloth furniture, since it can harbor molds, and books and papers that mold loves to eat from. It is important to get a quality HEPA vacuum (like Miele) and vacuum everything at least once a week. A portable HEPA air filter is a better investment than a UV light on the air handler. IQ Air Health Pro Plus is the best, but it is not cheap. Move it around to different rooms each day and it will remove mold spores, VOC’s, and other airborne inflammagens.
There is hope for the tired and hurting!