Hurricanes can bring mold aftermath

THURSDAY, Sept. 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, residents of the Carolinas are facing a new health threat: mold.

Mold-related illnesses are a serious concern following severe flooding in North and South Carolina, say experts from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.

"Where there's dampness and water, there's mold," said Paula Schenck, of the division of occupational and environmental medicine.

"Mold is an indicator of a whole soup of biological material. Unhealthy exposure to these bioaerosols is very possible after a flood from a hurricane and especially during cleanup efforts 24 to 48 hours after the storm," she said in a university news release.

Exposure to mold primarily affects the lungs and the skin, Schenck said. How you react to mold depends on the severity of your exposure. Some people may be more susceptible to mold-related illnesses than others, including children and those with a weakened immune system, asthma or another chronic illness.

Warning signs of mold-related health issues include:

Nasal congestion and sneezing.

Hoarse voice and throat irritation.

Cough, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest tightness.

Flareup of asthma symptoms.

Respiratory symptoms.

Extreme tiredness.

These symptoms may not develop right away, Schenck noted. She advised doctors to be extra vigilant about educating their patients about mold risk following a storm or natural disaster.

During a post-storm cleanup, the UConn experts advised the following:

Assume any areas exposed to water or flooding for more than 24 hours have mold even if it's not apparent.

While cleaning mold, use an "N95" respirator that has bands to hold the mask close to the face. Dust and surgical masks will not protect against mold and mold spores. People at high risk for mold-related illnesses should not attempt to personally clean up following a flood. If water damage covers more than 100-square-feet, seek professional help with the cleanup.

Wear protective clothing. Cover the skin on the arms, hands, legs and feet while cleaning mold. Use long rubber gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm.

Wear unvented goggles during mold cleanup to protect the eyes.

Clean hard surfaces with soapy water. Avoid using bleach or other "fungicides" unless there is contamination from other flooded materials such as sewage. These harsh chemicals aren't more effective than soapy water and could cause or worsen lung irritation.

Don't attempt to clean soft materials and porous surfaces like fabrics and wall board. Throw away these items.

More information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency offers more on hurricane safety and preparedness.

SOURCE: University of Connecticut, news release, Sept. 14, 2018

https://www.pollen.com/allergy/news/737805

https://www.pollen.com/allergy/news/737805

28 Signs you Grew up with an Autoimmune disease article

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/voices/28-signs-you-grew-up-with-an-autoimmune-disease/ar-BBIVsgR?ocid=spartanntp

Here is an article I ran across on MSN.  It is so validating.  When I had strep for 2.5 months and took 4 antibiotics and couldn't get well I know now is because I have issues with my immune system.  Add to that fact that I had been working in moldy buildings.   If you are allergic to mold you could have autoimmune issues as well.  I have the best doctor.  We ran over $2000 worth of blood work to find some things out, but it was worth it.  Checking your genetics, HLA genes, IGG levels IGE levels and IGM levels are part of the puzzle. Then allergy testing.  Allergy test can help you know the things to avoid to trigger asthma attacks, and life threatening allergic reactions to things like peanuts, wheat, milk, eggs, shellfish etc.    Just knowing helps you understand why you feel so crummy all the time.  Mold Illness isn't fun and autoimmune disorders aren't either but you have to keep on going. Keep on keeping on and managing.  I thought this was a great article.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/voices/28-signs-you-grew-up-with-an-autoimmune-disease/ar-BBIVsgR?ocid=spartanntp

Mold in stores, restaurants, buildings.

Have you ever walked into a building and looked at the ceiling.  I do every time.  I can't tell you the amount of ceilings with water damage from HVAC systems and condensation in the stores I have been to.  Look up, if you see water damage on the ceiling tell the store manager.  I have been do Dollar Stores, and discount stores to find that they do not take care of their stores, they must not care about their people even enough to change out the moldy ceiling tiles. Its disgusting.  If you go to a restaurant and the ceiling is black, RUN!  That means they could be hiding the black mold when they have water leaks on their ceilings, after all its all about the bottom line and nobody owning a business wants any extra expenses.   A little maintenance and a lot of problems could be avoided, for example, changing air filters regularly, cleaning the HVAC coils regularly.  Checking for water leaks regularly, and not just painting over the problem.  I have seen that done so many times.  Be aware, be smart and do some research.  Nothing is perfect, but if you can avoid mold exposure do it whenever you can.

Mold in our schools

Mold can be anywhere. It can be in the hvac system, it can be between the walls, in the attic, on the ceilings, in the crawl space, anywhere there has been a water leak, it can be in the air, etc. It can be visible and it can be invisible, but if you have a good nose, it will tell you that it is there.  Mold can be very dangerous.  I encourage anyone that sees or smells mold in their children's schools to contact the school board, do mold testing, tell the principal, tell the county and the state health department.  Call the environmental people.  Do not let up.  The sickness that goes around in our schools could partially due to mold.  True, many viruses just go around.  But mold, if it is there will cause problems all the time.

The exposure builds over time, and one day your body just can't handle all of the toxins it is exposed to.  Hives, allergic reactions, stomach problems, headaches, sensitivities to foods, and the like will occur.  Try to avoid mold at all costs and if you see it or smell it tell someone, tell everyone, raise heck about it if you have to.  Just don't be silent.  It could be costing your children's and teachers and staff's health.  Its a shame it is so prevalent in our schools and nobody says anything!  Be an advocate today!  It will help our teachers it will help our students it will help the administration in the schools.

Carolina Hurricanes player allergic to his hockey equipment.

It's not a laughing matter.  It's only funny if it isn't happening to you, the Carolina Hurricanes player stated. He is allergic to the anti-mildew chemical that is put into the hockey equipment.  He will be sitting out this season but hopes to make it back for the next season.  He is working with his doctor and trying to resolve some of the skin problems associated with his allergy.

I feel so sorry for him because people without allergies just don't understand how devastating it can be.  Apparently he is allergic to the anti-mildew chemical that is put into the hockey equipment.  I can totally relate.  Sometimes even dyes in regular clothing make me so sick I want to throw up.  Pajamas that have them chemical in them called fire retardant can be a trouble for some people. I have bought socks with antimicrobial properties to them only to throw them in the trash because they stunk so bad and made my feet itch.  I totally get the pain this guy is going through. 

I hope he can find some relief for his allergies, or maybe they could even make his equipment and clothing with cotton or natural fibers that would not cause the allergy in the first place.  I hope he gets better and comes back and helps the hurricanes with the Stanley cup!  Wouldn't that be awesome. 

Chemical Sensitivities and Food Sensitivities

Many people that have been exposed to moldy buildings will also be sensitive to many chemicals and even foods.  Some of the foods that can cause severe allergies are wheat, soy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, and fish.  Some women are even sensitive to the chemicals in maxipads, they put chlorine, plastic, deodorants, and adhesives in many maxi pads. 

There is a great feminine product out there for chemically sensitive women that I just learned about.  It is called glad rags.  You do have to do more work by cleaning and reusing your pads, but they are made of soft cotton.  Just think of all those chemicals right up next to your body especially near your reproductive organs.  I only wish I had known about these products long ago.

Schools and Mold are Smart Boards more important than clean air?

Schools are notorious for mold.  The reason?  We are not putting enough emphasis on the health of our staff and students.  The most important thing to a county school:  awards, attendance, grants, money, status and smart boards.  The things that are least important to a county school are the health and well being of the staff and students, the hvac system, the mold growth, regular maintenance and cleanliness. 

The elementary school I am familiar with in my area has an abundance of awards, they are pros at getting grants and new smart boards, but when it comes to regular maintenance in the building they are quite lacking.   The duct work has visible dust bunnies hanging as well as a coating about 2 inches thick all around the duct work.  Have you ever wondered why kids are generally healthy in the summer, but as soon as school starts ear infections, strep, stomach viruses, sinus infections and the like run rampant!  No its not just that kids are germ magnets, it has a lot to do with the environment that they are in.  Clean air and water is important and vital for your health. 

The water fountain at the elementary school in our area is being held together with duct tape, while there are shiny new smart boards in nearly every room.  How smart is that? 

I don't know about you,  but a little less mold in our schools would be great.  If we had to go back to the old way of doing things it may be smarter than goals upon goals for smart boards while ignoring basic needs for our schools.  Clean air and water!  Simple, simple simple.  How hard is that?