Certified
Indoor Air, Inc.
For more information about indoor air quality and assessment, visit our website or contact us by phone, text, or email for a free clean air consultation:
CERTIFIED INDOOR AIR, INC.
OF THE TRIANGLE
Call or Text: (919) 525-6464
Raleigh, NC 27606
“I’m not a physician,” says Bill Dolch, “but you could describe me as a diagnostician—not of human illness, but of sick houses.” Mr. Dolch is the owner of Certified Indoor Air, Inc., of the Triangle, a company that provides comprehensive mold testing and air quality inspections in the Greater Triangle area.
“Most people are unaware of the toxins they’re exposed to in their own homes,” notes Mr. Dolch. “But the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that as many as 50 percent of our homes have water damage significant enough to produce health problems—some very serious—from mold and bacteria growth.
“Most often, people only become aware of a mold problem when it makes them sick,” he says. “And many of our clients come to Certified Indoor Air after a frustrating, sometimes lengthy process of seeking a medical explanation for their symptoms. When a medical explanation can’t be found, their health care provider is likely to advise them to assess their house—and that’s when we step in.
Could Mold Be the Cause of Your Mystery Illness?
It’s a long list: chronic fatigue, brain fog, allergies, headaches, joint pain, anxiety, memory problems, and food intolerances. All these symptoms and more are related to environmental exposure to water-damaged buildings. When water and humidity penetrate building materials and building contents, it causes several different microorganisms to flourish, including molds and biotoxin-producing bacteria. These toxins can be inhaled or ingested, having profound effects on the brain, immune system, liver, kidneys, and even reproductive hormones; some fungi are even carcinogenic.
The most common molds found in this area play themselves out in the upper respiratory tract, so complaints of sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, and asthma attacks are typical. But not all reactions are respiratory-related. Mycotoxins can produce numerous symptoms, including loss of balance, depression, headaches, and joint and muscle pain.
A very serious condition triggered by exposure to biotoxins is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). Its symptoms are numerous, ranging from fatigue and brain fog, to headaches, depression, and abdominal pain. The ongoing inflammation can affect virtually any organ system of the body and, if left untreated, becomes debilitating. (For more information about CIRS, go to www.survivingmold.com)
A Possible Answer to an Unexplained Illness
Mold exposure is far more common than most people realize. Even if you can’t see it or smell it, there’s a good chance that mold is present somewhere in your home or office. Studies show that more than 50 percent of homes and more than 85 percent of commercial buildings in the U.S. have water damage and mold. And many experts say every home has some detectable amount of mold.
And, while exposure to mold is common, people’s sensitivity varies, so problems may arise gradually. In fact, many people affected by mold toxicity report that they experience problems that seem unrelated at first—such as brain fog that won’t clear, stubborn sinus congestion, or unexplained skin irritation. Mold toxicity symptoms are similar to those caused by many other conditions, but if other ailments are ruled out and symptoms persist, additional testing for mold toxicity may provide answers.
“While the most common molds in this area produce respiratory problems,” says Mr. Dolch, “different toxins can result in a very wide range of other symptoms (see box), including brain fog, skin issues, anxiety, and joint pain. So, I listen closely to my clients; because learning about the symptoms and health issues they’re experiencing tells us a lot about the potential contaminant we should be testing for.”
Surprising Sources of Mold Problems
It’s not surprising that people don’t automatically assume that they’re dealing with mold, notes Mr. Dolch, “because indoor pollutants are often hidden. A flood or leaking roof might be the obvious source of water damage leading to mold growth, but when there isn’t such an obvious event, people often attribute their symptoms to some other health problem, rather than mold.
“The fact is, our houses are full of spaces that trap moisture, they’re built out of materials that can be described as ‘mold food,’ and their HVAC systems are designed to distribute pollutants throughout the home. Normally, that’s not a problem. But when something—such as a water damage event or a construction issue—alters the healthy balance in our homes, the result can be a ‘sick’ house.”
Finding the source of contamination is meticulous detective work, says Mr. Dolch. “And it can be especially challenging when it’s not clear when there is a triggering event. Some molds grow very slowly, so it may not be evident for some time that water damage has produced toxins. Toxic black molds, for example, are slow growers, and sometimes it’s months after the hurricane or flood before we can measure the toxic impact. And there are many instances when there has never been a major event, just a small, unusual situation that creates a toxic problem.
“Two recent examples come to mind. One was the case of the placement of the HVAC intake vent immediately opposite a bathroom door, which was open when the homeowners showered. The result was that moist air was regularly taken into the HVAC system, resulting in mold growth and serious symptoms for the homeowners.
“Another recent example of a surprising source of water damage,” recalls Mr. Dolch, “was a broken seal on the base of a toilet, which allowed moisture to seep into the plywood subflooring—out of sight, of course. The wet plywood was a perfect setting for mold growth—a form of ‘mold food,’ in fact. A slow-growing mold colony developed and, over time, resulted in a serious toxic problem.”
Types of Mold
“There are over 4,000 species of mold,” notes Mr. Dolch. “But a relatively small number—26—are considered toxic to human beings,” says Mr. Dolch. “It’s impossible to identify most of these by appearance alone, which is why proper inspection, testing, and identification is so important.”
Two of the most dangerous molds are Stachybotrys—also referred to as “black mold”—and Chaetomium. Other toxin producing molds include Fusarium and Penicillium.
Two of the most common molds found in this region, says Mr. Dolch, are Aspergillus and Cladosporium. “When I find these, I’m not alarmed, but when I found them in high quantities, in high density, then we do have problems. “The most problematic molds are the slow-growing mycotoxin-producing molds such as Stachybotrys. Too often, a major water event will occur and will be cleaned up. But small remaining or dried up mold colonies still have microbial fragments that will grow back, unexpectedly causing problems long after the water damage originally occurred.”
Comprehensive Assessments
“What we do at Certified Indoor Air,” says Mr. Dolch, “is detailed detective work. Every evaluation is comprehensive—inside and out. Although 90 percent of our work is mold related, we also test for wide variety of toxins, including organic compounds and chemicals that can come from cleaning supplies or off-gassing from different kinds of building materials or furniture. In addition to mold, many people are sensitive to chemical odors or may react to bacteria, which harbor in the dust inside the home and circulate through the HVAC system.
“So, finding all contaminants is our first priority. And identifying the specific irritants is also critically important. Different toxins will produce similar symptoms, but treatment will likely be different for different sensitivities.
“Our inspections,” explains Mr. Dolch, “involve careful examination of both the exterior and interior of a home as well as searching for signs of water infiltration, past and present water damage, and mold growth. Our list is a long one: we inspect attics, crawl spaces, ductwork, HVAC units, under sinks, behind appliances, and anywhere that water may have caused damage. In that process, we collect samples of dust to be analyzed for bacteria and specific species of mold.”
The outcome of the assessment is a detailed phone call reviewing all findings and recommendations—from normal building maintenance to remediation. “We don’t do the remediation,” he explains, “but we provide all the information needed to ensure that problems can be remedied.”
When to Test
“While water damage significant enough to produce toxins is a common problem, routine testing for household toxins isn’t necessary,” says Mr. Dolch. “Toxins may be present, but it’s estimated that 74 percent of the population is not sensitive to these toxins. However, for the 26 percent who do react, it’s a serious problem and, in those cases, testing is important.
“There are several instances when it makes sense to get an inspection,” he says. “A water damage event—flooding or burst pipes—should put you on the alert. But what’s most important is to listen to your body. Symptoms—especially unexplained symptoms—that persist and don’t respond to treatment and can’t be tracked down are the red flags.
“If plagued by such symptoms, you can also do a simple, inexpensive test, to see if your house might be involved,” he adds. “Take a short ‘vacation’ from your home. A common experience of many of our clients was that they felt better when away from home and their symptoms returned when they crossed the threshold. That’s good information to share with your health care provider as they work to determine the cause of your symptoms.”
Other cues invite further investigation. “Pay attention to any water event that occurs, even if you think it’s minor,” advises Mr. Dolch. “It’s important that building materials dry out within 24 hours of an event. If they don’t, there’s potential for serious problems. And certain types of water damage, as from sewage, are also dangerous.”