Toxic Mold Illness - Can you get workers compensation for this?

This is an interesting question - and the answer is: it depends. There HAVE been cases of Toxic Mold Illness all across Canada and US and it likely depends on what your Workers Compensation policy actually covers. The more research you do, the more you'll know - and of course, you'll need proof from your doctor that Toxic Mold Illness was caused by working at your place of employment.

Fighting Mold Without Bleach - Tea Tree Oil

Other gentle alternatives to bleach include full-strength white vinegar or a tea-tree oil solution. "Tea tree oil is my favorite mold-killer because it's such a broad-spectrum fungicide," says Annie Berthold-Bond, Healthy Living Editor at Care2.com and author of Clean and Green (Ceres Press, 1994) and Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

Ms. Berthold-Bond mixes two teaspoons of tea-tree oil and two cups of water in a spray bottle, and then applies it directly to the surface, with no rinsing. Its very strong odor lingers for a few days, she told Well Journal, but "I've never had a mold problem that tea tree oil hasn't killed."

Take care when using essential oils, Ms. Berthold-Bond cautions, especially if you have allergies. "Keep them away from your eyes and skin," she says, and test your tolerance before applying to a large area of a room.

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How can you tell if that is MOLD?

Sometimes it's difficult to tell if that funny looking substance is, in fact, mold. There are a few telltale signs that should help you to figure out if it IS mold:

1. Color - Mold has a distinctive look and color. Mold will often cause discoloration - and mold can be many different colors such as purple, black, red, orange or yellow.
2. Odor - Some molds can't be seen, but there is a telltale musty smell that will alert you to a mold infestation. Areas where there has been moisture or leaks are prime areas for mold, even if you can't see or smell any YET.

Mold FAQs: Can Mold Be Removed From Porous Surfaces?

FAQ: Can mold be permanently removed from porous surfaces?

Sadly, the answer is no. Mold CAN be successfully cleaned and removed from hard surfaces, such as glass, metal or stone. But, once mold has taken hold of a porous surface - for example: sheetrock or carpet padding - then there is nothing to be done except to remove the porous surface.

Black Mold in Basements and Bathrooms FAQs

This is an extremely helpful link to an article by Thad Godish, PhD. There are a variety of types of black mold - some relatively harmless, and others more serious. Read the article at: http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/faqs/godishblackmold.shtml for more information.

More on Vinegar to Fight Mold

Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar—such as you can buy in the supermarket—kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can't claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, it seems to be common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial. Even the CBS news show 48 Hours had a special last December with Heloise reporting on tests from The Good Housekeeping Institute that showed this.

Removing Some Mold - With Vinegar

Some minor mold problems can successfully be dealt with using an old-fashioned favorite (one that I really love!) -- VINEGAR! Tips on cleaning away mold with white vinegar at: http://www.happyslob.com/vinegarkillsmold.html

What makes Mold Grow in Our Homes?

What makes mold grow?

Molds will grow if we provide them with moisture and nutrients. If we keep things dry, molds do not grow. High moisture levels can be the result of water coming in from the outside, through the floor, walls or roof; or from plumbing leaks; or moisture produced by the people living in the home, through daily activities like bathing, washing clothes or cooking. Water enters the building when there is a weakness or failure in the structure. Moisture accumulates within the home when there is not enough ventilation to expel that moisture.

Different kinds of molds grow on different materials. Certain kinds of molds like an extremely wet environment. Other kinds of molds may be growing even if no water can be seen. Dampness inside the material can be enough to allow them to grow.

What IS Mold (Mould)?

This new blog is to help people find the resources they need to fight the mold in their homes, that very well may be adversely affecting their health.

First...a description of exactly WHAT mold is:

Molds are microscopic fungi, a group of organisms which also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Fungi are highly adapted to grow and reproduce rapidly, producing spores and mycelia in the process.

So, while we think of mold in negative terms, SOME molds can be helpful and even beneficial. But, for the purpose of this blog, we'll be dealing with the negative types of mold: those that can damage our properties and our health.