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Naples Homebuyers / Aspergillus Mold Growth and their
sales contract.Aspergillus mold growth in a home
should be a health concern to every Naples homebuyer. People with asthma and/or are immune compromised should
be especially concerned with a humidity bloom of aspergillus mold growth in the home they are purchasing. Some local
sales contracts seem to imply that mold growth of Aspergillus in a home is not important, even though the cleanup of the mold
contamination may cost thousands of dollars. There seems to be a disconnect in Naples home sales, mold air sampling (testing)
alone cannot/should not be used to determine if a home has a mold problem. A visual inspection AND mold sampling is
best, the source of the mold and extent must be established. Detailed recommendations for corrections or cleanup protocols
should also be part of the mold inspection report. Humidity
Blooms are often Aspergillus molds
| No HVAC can cause elevated humidity |
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| Extensive mold growth and elevated moisture content |
| plumbing leaks can be a source of high humidtiy |
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| Mold growth and elevated moisture content |
Please contact our office to schedule:
Radon Tests / Mold Assessments (inspections) & Sampling
Formaldehyde & VOC Tests / Allergen Screening
Radon & Mold Professionals
Toll free: (800) 881-3837
188 1st Street, Bonita springs, FL 34134 .... (239)
498-4619
188 1st Street, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 .... (239) 948-9717
radonandmoldprofessionals@gmail.com
or radonandmoldprofessionals@comcast.net
Aspergillus and your Naples /Bonita Springs Mold Test
Your Naples mold test (sampling) indicates elevated levels of Aspergillus;
should you be worried? Mold Testing (air sampling) only
is used to determine if a home need further investigation or the extent of a mold problem. Too many people believe and promote
just mold air sampling as a mold inspection; it is not the same. A mold inspection must identify all areas of suspected mold and the sources. Mold Air sampling
alone does not accomplish this. We hear Real Estate agents
and sellers say "Aspergillus is everywhere and that's not a problem". It is amazing how many people without a back ground in mold assessment or no proven mold inspection experience
become "experts" concerning mold growth in a home. "Everyone has an opinion and most are not based on
fact" Everyone reacts differently to each of the hundreds of thousands of identified different molds. You
do not want mold growth in a home. Having
mold growing on furniture, walls, drapes etc. is a problem which can cost thousands to remediate even if it is Aspergillus.
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| Humidity mold growth on hardwood furniture |
"Aspergillus is a group of molds, of which about 200 species
have been identified. Aspergillus molds are found throughout the world and are the most common type of fungi in the environment.
About 16 species of Aspergillus molds are known to be dangerous to humans, causing disease and infection."
"There are five categories of toxic mold. They are Cladosporium,
Penicilium, Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Stachybotrys."
Humidtiy Bloom are common
Homes where the indoor humidity levels are above 55% to 60% due
to poor HVAC maintenance or some sort of water intrusion are common. When humidity levels are 55% or higher mold growth
can occur. Many Naples and Bonita Springs homes are vacant for several months a year and not monitored for moisture
problems. Mold can grow on furniture, drapes, walls, lamp shades, bedding, carpet most anywhere even in dust when humidity
levels are high. Aspergillus is one of the mold genuses we commonly see in a humidity bloom situation.
Aspergillosis is an infection, allergic reaction, or fungal growth caused by the Aspergillus fungus.
Mayo Clinic "Aspergillosis is a group of illnesses caused by a certain type of mold. These
illnesses usually affect the respiratory system. The mold that triggers the illnesses, aspergillus, occurs widely indoors
and outdoors. Most strains of this mold are harmless. But a few can cause serious illnesses when their spores are inhaled
by people with a weakened immune system, underlying lung disease or asthma. In some people, the spores trigger an
allergic reaction. Other people develop mild to serious lung infections. The most serious form of aspergillosis - invasive
aspergillosis - occurs when the infection spreads to blood vessels and beyond."
These are some helpful links for Naples consumers that are concerned
about the health effects of Aspergillus molds:
"There are several forms of aspergillosis:
- Pulmonary aspergillosis is an allergic bronchopulmonary
type that is an allergic reaction to the fungus. This infection usually develops in people who already
have lung problems such as asthma or cystic fibrosis.
- Aspergilloma is
a growth (fungus ball) that develops in an area of past lung disease or lung scarring such as tuberculosis or lung
abscess.
- Pulmonary aspergillosis is an invasive
type that is a serious infection with pneumonia that can spread to other parts of the body. This infection almost
always occurs in people with a weakened immune system due to cancer, AIDS, leukemia, an organ transplant, chemotherapy,
or other conditions or medications that lower the number or function of normal white blood cells or weaken
the immune system."
"Aspergillosis is the name of a group of
conditions caused by a fungal mould called aspergillus. It usually affects the respiratory system (windpipe, sinuses and lungs), but it can spread to anywhere in the
body. Depending on a number of factors, the symptoms
of aspergillosis can vary in severity from mild wheezing to coughing up blood. Someone with a weakened immune system
is at greater risk of being more severely affected."
Mold Disclosure http://www.findsouthwestfloridahomes.com/real-estate-mold-disclosure.php Should I Be Concerned? Yes. If indoor mold is extensive, those in your home can be exposed to very high and persistent airborne
mold spores. It is possible to become sensitized to these mold spores and develop allergies or other health concerns, even
if one is not normally sensitive to mold. Left unchecked, mold growth can cause structural damage to your home as well as
permanent damage to furnishings and carpet. According to the Centers for Disease Control, "It is not
necessary, however, to determine what type of mold you may have. All molds should be treated the same with respect to potential
health risks and removal."
Common sense dictates that a Naples homebuyer or seller
should hire the most qualified licensed mold assessor when buying or selling a home. No one has more proven experience
than local ACAC Certified Indoor Environmentalists (CIE or CIEC) or AIHA Certified Industrial Hygienists
. Remember most Florida licensed mold assessors were "grandfathered" into the license. There about 300
licensed mold assessors in Collier & Lee Counties but less than 2 dozen that have met the rigid requirements of the ACAC
or AIHA certifications. . .
Who gets aspergillosis? "Exposure to Aspergillus is not likely to cause problems in people
whose immune systems are healthy. However, people with chronic lung problems or people with weak immune systems may be at
greater risk for developing the infection. People with weakened immune systems include those people taking chemotherapy or
those who have had organ transplants." How common
is aspergillosis? "It is estimated that up to 10%
of people with cystic fibrosis or asthma experience an allergic reaction to aspergillus. ABPA is more frequent
in young adults than in children."
Does your Naples homebuyer contract have this item in
it? b. DEFECTIVE INSPECTION
ITEMS; BUYERS ELECTION AND SELLER'S RESPONSE: ........ (5)
the presence of toxic or pathogenic molds within the interior of the dwelling(s) exceeding the levels of such molds measured
upon the exterior of the dwelling. Penicillum aspergillus and other allergenic molds shall not
be deemed toxic or pathogenic molds for purposes of this contract, and/or Homebuyers should UNDERSTAND the contract they sign. (or hire legal counsel to
assist them) Some
questions to consider if you are having a mold inspection for a home purchase. - Can people believe Real Estate agents are looking out for a homebuyers
best interests when Aspergillus mold growth is not considered a "problem"?
- Who decides that a "humidity bloom" of mold in a home, often Aspergillus/Penicillum, that
can cost thousands of dollars to remediate or cleanup is not a home repair or reason not to buy a home?
- If a home buyer has Aspergillosis, can they be forced to buy a home that has
been identified as having Aspergillus mold growth in it?
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Who decided which molds are allergenic or toxic or pathogenic?
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Who should Naples homebuyers trust? http://blackmold.awardspace.com/aspergillus.html " About 16 species of Aspergillus molds are known to be dangerous to humans, causing disease and infection."
What is Aflatoxin "Aflatoxin is a type of mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus
molds. Aflatoxin is probably the most well known mycotoxin, besides trichothecene, and the most researched. This
is because aflatoxins are very toxic and highly carcinogenic."
What causes Aspergillosis? "Aspergillosis is infection,
usually of the lungs, caused by the fungus Aspergillus." Homebuyers in Naples should understand that you do not want ANY mold growth in your home.
If there is mold growth there has to be a reason for it (source). Mold cleanup or remediation is just another home repair
if the problem is identified and documented properly. All mold inspectors are not equal, no one seems to understand
that. There are about 300 licensed mold assessors in Collier and Lee Counties but less than two dozen are Certified Indoor
Environmentalists or Certified Industrial Hygienists who can easily write protocols for cleanup.
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