All Clean USA | Online News Bulletin | October 2008

ALL-CLEAN USA Reports to Hurricane Duty ALL-CLEAN USA is assisting in hurricane clean up of neighboring states affected by the storms. If you are an adjuster in need of our services, please call our toll free number at 866-360-3473. ALL-CLEAN USA is available 24 hours a day!

		MOLD AGAIN! MOLD in Your Home:  It Still Can Be Dangerous Mold hasn’t been in the headlines like it used to be. Several years ago, it was the “hot” story of the moment, and everyone was talking about how to rid your house of mold and keep it from returning.  A lot of the furor over mold cleanup has died down, but homeowners should take note - it is still a serious problem.  According to the EPA, there is no one particular type of mold; instead there are over 100,000 different types that can emit thousands of different micro toxins and spores.  These toxins can often affect the health of anyone living in the environment.  The more common household types of mold are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Mucor. These can be easily cleaned with common cleaning solutions. Some types of black mold are as serious as the warnings you’ve heard. The two most serious types of black mold, or toxic mold, are Stachybotrys and Memnoniella. These molds appear slimy when wet and have white edges. They can grow where water has absorbed into wood, paper, and cotton products.  As many as half of all homes are believed to have some Stachybotrys growth. It is imperative to get any black mold you may find tested to see how dangerous the growth is. Inhaling or touching black mold can have serious health consequences. According to the California Department of Health Services, having one or more of these allergic reactions may be tied to mold: * Respiratory Problems (wheezing) * Nasal and sinus congestion * Watery, red, or burning eyes * Dry, hacking cough or sore throat * Nose and throat irritation * Shortness of breath * Skin irritation * Central nervous system problems (headaches, memory problems, mood swings) * Aches and pains * Possible fever Of course, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have a mold problem; you should just look into it. Testing your home for mold can be time consuming and expensive, and it may not even determine if your mold exposure is serious. Experts suggest you first clean the mold.

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Hayden Allred
870-926-7917
hallred@allcleanusa.com