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Florida Mold Inspector

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A Certified Florida Toxic Mold Inspector
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Florida residents often assume that any indoor air quality illness that follows a water intrusion incident at a property must be related to Florida black mold. Inspections often prove this to be true, but sometimes the presence of visible moisture stains or a small amount of visible mold causes people to jump to conclusions and incorrectly assume that mold is the primary problem. The media attention given over the last several years to stachybotrys (i.e. toxic black mold) has only exacerbated this problem.

Sometimes airborne chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide gas, carbon monoxide, pesticides, or volatile organic compounds are to blame. Dog and cat allergins or even dust mite allergens may also be the problem. Our Florida black mold inspector has done several mold inspections where serious allergy complaints appeared to be related to an infestation of roof rats (Rattus rattus) in the attic.

Below you will find text taken from one of our Florida black mold testing and inspection reports. In this instance, our Florida toxic mold inspectors concluded that recent hurricane-related roof leaks were likely not the cause of mold or illness. Instead, mold and bacteria growing in a humidifier were the likely origin of indoor air contamination, resulting in serious illness in an infant.

Client: Florida Mold Inspection
Client concerned about stachybotrys / toxic black mold.
Property Address: Miami Florida
Date: 5-1-06

HISTORY AND INTERVIEWS PROPERTY HISTORY
Specific areas of concern and specific conditions that the client requested to be investigated are limited to the following areas and conditions: infant's room because of infant health problems, dining room ceiling because of stains, and ducts because client was concerned about mold growth in the ducts.

Are there any health problems such as allergies or asthma which appear to be triggered primarily when at the property? Yes, client reported that the 6 month old baby girl has been experiencing chest inflammation, possibly from allergic reactions.

Is the client aware of any reasons why this condition may have started? Yes, hurricanes caused roof leaks. Client is unsure why infant is sick, it may be because of allergies according to the doctor.

Media coverage of infant deaths initially thought to be connected to exposure to toxic black mold / stachybotrys has caused concern over exposure to such molds. Scientist cannot say for sure at this point if stachybotrys causes toxic reactions in infants but allergy and asthma are sometimes triggered by indoor mold growth. The client is encouraged to consider seeing a medical specialist. If conditions persist and appear to be related to the air at this property, then the infant should not reside at the property.

EXTERIOR FACTORS EXTERIOR ROOF CONDITION: Observed roof repairs that appeared to have stopped the leaks that caused stains on the ceilings repairs. It did not look too bad but these repairs did not appear to be completed by a professional. These repairs may be temporary.
 
INTERIOR AREAS INSPECTION MOLD INSPECTION OBSERVATIONS When humidifier unit was off no odors were detected. Inside the humidifyer unit the inspector observed a red slimy coating consistent with rod shaped bacterial growth seen before on sections of wet floors under rubber mats, and on wet shower walls. Microscopic examination found no mold in this unit but extremly high levels of rod shaped bacteria was detected with the inspectors microscope in the humidifier water. Mold may have been in other sections of this device but not visible because mold odors were detected when the unit was on but no mold was seen in the unit. The odors did not appear to smell like bacteria but more like mold.
Spore levels were very high only when the humidifier was turned on thus it appeared that the mold and bacteria was coming from inside the humidifier. Client is recommended to remove the de-humidifier, or wash and sanitize it if you must keep it. Client should simply get a new humidifyer.

Mold spores did not appear to be coming from the attic, nor did it appear to be associated in anyway with the stains on the dining room ceiling. Spore levels in the attic were not elevated when tested and the ceiling did not appear moldy. The insulation under the attic's insulation was free of mold where inspected.

ALLERGEN INSPECTION OBSERVATIONS: The inspector noted the following evidence of pets.
 Pets were observed at the property: Consult with the doctor regarding having the infant tested for dog allergens. Persons with allergies to one allergen are often also also allergic to other allergens.

The following conditions conductive to possible dust mite infestations were observed,. Moderately excessive levels of dust at the property that may serve as food for dust mites. Excessive humidity was not detected at the property, but the humidifier may create such conditions in localized areas so make sure the house is clear of excessive dust especially wherever a humidifier is being used. Dust mites do not drink standing water, they absorb moisture from humid air with the aid of hydroscopic minerals they secrete. Keep humidity below 50%RH to help combat dust mite infestation.

BACTERIA INSPECTION CONCLUSIONS Carpet was observed in the infant's room and it has likely absorbed some mold spores and bacteria. Inspector recommends removal of the carpet and replacement with tile, wood, or pergo like materials.

HVAC INSPECTION AC DUCT INSPECTION: Client was concerned with the ducts & AC. Only a small area of the interior of the AC ducts is visible. Inspector observed no unusual moldy conditions at visible sections of ducts and registers. No moldy odors coming from inside the ducts were detected. Water was leaking from the 2nd condensation pan drain line. This indicates that the primary pan was clogged. Have HVAC drain pan & line cleaned and unclogged. This did not create a mold or water problem indoors since this dripping pipe is outside.

AC FILTER INSPECTION: AC filter is dirty and in need of replacement or cleaning. A good filter can cut down on dust in the house. Observed low quality filter(s). It is recommended that AC systems have good quality filters installed, such as pleated Hepa filters. This will not solve a mold problem or remove odors but may help with overall air quality to a degree by removal of 99.7 % of particles 1/3 of a micron across and larger that attempt to pass through the filter if the filters are properly installed and maintained. This will help remove particles from the air, such as mold spores, dust and some germ containing droplet nuclei that persons cough out. Such filters may be helpful in limiting mold infestation of AC ducts and coils by filtering out much of the dusty food source these organisms need when growing in AC systems and ductwork.

The problem may have cleared up with the client cleaning of the humidifier during the inspection but the problem could be from other sources such as a hidden mold with no visible evidence. No evidence of other or hidden mold was found during the inspection but an entire house inspection and sampling were not requested or paid for.




Cases of infant hemosidirosis or potentially fatal bleeding on the interior of infants lungs was once thought to be related to stachybotrys exposure, this is no longer widely accepted by the scientific and medical community, but people who get scientific information from the television and the bueaty parlor still believe it. 

See what Dr. Fungus doctorfungus.org a very well respected mold website for doctors and the general public has to say about infant hemosiderosis.

The Stachybotrys Story: A Case In Point

The great Stachybotrys episode is an excellent demonstration of the perils and pitfalls associated with assigning a disease to a fungus and its toxins. Prior to about 1993, Stachybotrys chartarum (previously known as both S. atra and S. alternans) was known for its ability to produce trichothecene mycotoxins and a syndrome in animals known as stachybotrytoxicosis [96, 1045]. In this syndrome, leukopenia (reduced white blood cell count) and hemorrhage (bleeding) are prominent and may lead to death [1045].

Then, during the period January 1993 to November 1994, a group of infants in Cleveland died with an unexplained hemorrhagic lung process of acute onset that was subsequently given the label acute idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (AIPH) [80, 100, 101]. A case-control study found that the majority of the affected infants lived in water-damaged homes [1560], thus raising the possibility of a fungus-related disease. A microbiological investigation then suggested that affected infants were more likely to have toxin-producing S. chartarum in their homes than were control infants [693].

Initially, this all seemed pretty clear cut. But then, as time went by, some inconsistencies were noted. First and foremost, the clinical syndrome that had been observed was simply not that similar to veterinary stachybotrytoxicosis. Second, other infants that were heavily exposed to S. chartarum failed to develop similar symptoms [96, 101]. Third, investigation of a similar-appearing cluster of cases of AIPH in Chicago did not find the same linkage to S. chartarum.

Because of the implications for public health, all the data were again reviewed. Upon closer inspection, a number of assumptions made during the original investigation were challenged and reconsidered. While the discussion of the issues with the analysis is long and somewhat technical [96, 101], the bottom line is that an equally (or perhaps more) plausible re-analysis of the data found no meaningful statistical linkage between S. charatrum and the cases of AIPH. Other factors such as cigarette smoke exposure emerged as potentially relevant. The CDC has since published a statement effectively retracting the conclusions of the original investigation [101].

However, the damage was done and the horse was out of the barn. Recommendations based on the original investigation had been published by prominent authorities [99]. Numerous articles in the lay press further served to spread the faulty message [101].

Thus, while it is clear that S. chartarum produces toxins [2320] and that at least some strains can cause disease in animals [1045, 1647], it is simply not at all clear whether it is able to produce these symptoms in humans [1537]. And, as S. chartarum is among the least common of the fungi found in the home environment [744], the potential role of toxins made by other fungi must certainly be addressed. The amount of exposure required to produce S. chartarum-related disease has been estimated to be at least 1,000-fold higher than amounts reported in most environmental surveys [81].

What lessons can be learned here?
First, it is indeed clear that mycotoxins are real and that they can produce dramatic symptoms. However, clear linkage of a toxin to a disease is difficult. Second, given the broad range of fungi that produce mycotoxins [339], it seems reasonable to treat ALL fungi with substantial respect [95]. Thus, the goal in interior environments should be to maintain them in a clean, dry, and mould-free state. Identifying the specific fungus that is infesting a wall is less important than getting rid of it and preventing its return.




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Residential Florida Mold Inspections:
Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin