Anyone with black mold experiences and health?

[Simba's Mom]

I think it's specifically called Stachybotrus (hope I spelled it right). The maintenance director at our school admitted last year that that's what's in my ceiling in my classroom where I teach, and possibly under the carpeting. He didn't think it was cause for concern. Well, this school year I've had fatigue, post nasal drip, etc. Finally went to the doctor last week, and his first question (after he looked at my sinuses) was "Are you exposed to any mold?" I swear, I'd never made any connection. Other people here have air purifiers (my next post may be for a good air purifier recommendation), trouble with headaches-one teacher even made the school move her to a different building (we have about 10 buildings). Meanwhile, I've been going around saying "The mold doesn't bother me. Boy, am I tired today!" Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[4greatboys]

I havent but my best friend has. She had 3 of the toxic molds in her house. Her entire house had to be remediated. Her insurance company ignored all the evidence til her pediatrician wrote a letter to them about how many times her kids had been in with illness that could be related to toxic mold.
Now that her house is "clean" her kids dont go to the dr once or twice every week. Its actually been months since they have had an illness.

 

[Spirit Feather]

We lived in VA. Beach from 1991-1996. We had a black mold that grew in the tub there. I cleaned it with bleach everyday and everyday it came back.

My dd and I were sick the entire 5 years we lived there. Once, I even had an infection in the lining of my brain! DH was active duty at that time and was rarely there. After we moved, we were okay. In fact, I do not think I have been on antibiotics since we moved from there.

Looking back on it and knowing what I know now, I would say it was the mold that caused our problems.

 

[ead79]

I actually work for an indoor air quality firm that deals with Stachybotrys (black mold) regularly. Many articles have been written on the subject of it's health effects, and most people agree that it can be harmful to your health. Here is a website to check out for more info: www.aerias.org Feel free to PM me with any other questions.

 

[allicat]

I saw a news show(20/20 or similar) that showed a family that had to leave their home with the clothes on their backs due to the mold in the walls. The house was the size of a mansion and the family could take nothing with them. The husband is president of a large company and sometimes now has trouble remembering his kids names!
Ive seen more than one article on this mold and it can really be harmful to your health. Id insist the capreting be ripped up and the ceiling be taken care of.You said you teach so Im assuming the kids are all exposed to this mold also!

 

[Mattsmom]

It's a big concern here in the Austin area. Several schools have had to close and be cleaned because of health concerns from mold.

My son goes to UTSA. Part of their dorm was closed for mold at the being of the year. It the second time this has happened.

Alot of insurers are dropping mold coverage because of all the claims that have been filed.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You really need to do air monitoring in your home to determine if spores are present in the air and the quantity of spores in your home. This will help determine if you have a big problem. You can also do some sampling of the mold to see exactly what type of mold you have in your home. But just sampling it won't determine if you are being exposed to the spores in the air.

Some things that people think is stachy is really just mildew. What you had in your tub was probably mildew since it is very common in the South.

The problem that most people have with mold is not nearly the problem that the family in Texas had. Bleach and water is probably the best way to kill the mold. However, if your carpet has been very wet because of flooding or other problems, you probably should remove the carpet.

If you have a problem with mold in your classroom, an air purifier will not resolve the problem. The mold needs to be cleaned up and the area kept dry. Humidity and other forms of wetness will keep the mold growing. Your school needs to find out why the mold is growing. If there is a condensation problem, they need to resolve that problem. Then clean up the mold.

 

[goofy4tink]

This has become a huge issue in the schools in our town. One school was shut down and rehabbed. The other school was brand new. But mold is becoming a huge concern. And your symptons are the same as those suffered here. Good luck.