Believe it or not, families around the country are fleeing their homes — or having them destroyed — because of an insidious intruder they say is making them sick. The invader? Black mold. Its technical name is Stachybotrys chartarum — stachy for short — and it's got a lot of people panicked.

WHO IS AT RISK?

All indoor molds present a potential health risk and should be treated with caution according to the Center for Disease Control. The (EPA)  Environmental Protection Agency recommends that any indoor mold growth be addressed immediately and that all water or moisture sources be eliminated.

Some molds have been more closely associated with specific health problems. One example is Stachybotrys atra, a greenish–black mold often referred to as “toxic mold.” It grows on material with high cellulose content (e.g. drywall, wood, paper, dust). Stachybotrys becomes a problem when it emits mycotoxins (poisons) capable of producing toxic effects in humans and animals. Many Aspergillus species of molds also produce mycotoxins.

Some molds release volatile compounds into the air, producing an unpleasant odor. Scientists label these compounds “microbial volatile organic compounds” or “mVOCs” (Moisture Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, Environmental Protection Agency, March 2001). Exposure to mVOCs has been associated with headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

Effects from exposure to toxic mold can result in any of the following symptoms:
Headaches - memory loss - problems focusing or concentrating - chronic fatigue - nose and throat irritation - persistent cold-like symptoms - burning, itching or watering eyes - dizziness - nausea - tremors - heart palpitations - shortness of breath (during mild exertion) - exhaustion- after routine activity - serious swelling in legs, ankles, feet - serious swelling in torso or stomach - prolonged muscle cramps and joint pain - sensitivity to- odors - cancer - women who are pregnant could experience multiple problems.

Because spores are tiny bacteria less than 4 microns in size, so small that over 250,000 spores can fit on a pin head, they can bypass our built-in defense mechanisms and accumulate in the lower lungs. Subsequently, the lungs become a roadway for toxic materials to travel through the bloodstream with the oxygen. The body's reaction to the toxins permanently affects the lungs' ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. The lung tissue becomes permanently scared and each exposure to mold spores increases the damage. The body's last defense against these tiny invaders is to develop an allergy producing cold or pneumonia-like symptoms. 

What Can You Do?
There is no true way to guarantee that you will never have mold in your home, but you can help prevent mold before it starts. Handi-Foam ,when used correctly, will help prevent moisture from entering your home. It is this moisture that under other circumstances would allow mold to grow, many times in areas where you don't can't even see it. Preventing the moisture is a key step to preventing mold. When installing Handi-Foam, be sure to seal ALL areas where moisture could possibly enter your home. This includes, but is not limited to pipes leading to outdoors, cracks in your walls/foundation, etc.

By properly insulating your home from moisture, you will dramatically reduce your chances of having deadly mold grow in your home.

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