Mold & The ICF Environment

"Most homeowners believe that as long as they do not see visible signs of mold, that is, patches of green, blue, or black discoloration on surfaces, their environment is free of contamination. What they don't realize, however, is that large accumulations of mold may be growing in areas that they cannot see. Left to multiply, these infestations may produce enough organic compounds to cause allergic reactions, sickness and, in extreme cases, death,"
wrote Edward R. Lipinski, New York Times, Sept. 12, 1999.

Stachybotrys in various strains occurs widely in North America, and requires water soaked cellulose ( wood, paper, cotton ) to grow. Stachybotrys is most insidious because it is fed by your wood home, and infects the occupants when inhaled. Stachybotrys most often causes acute pulmonary hemorrhaging in children, and in some cases sudden death. While OSHA is considering updating its permissible exposure limits (PELs), children are dying at inexcusable rates. In the Cleveland area alone, 16 infants have died in the recent years from an acute pulmonary hemorrhage. Other children suffer the lifelong affects of asthma from the mold, mildew and various fungi supported by wet wood homes.

The concrete home does not provide the food necessary to support mold, mildew or any sort of toxic fungus. While some harmless varieties of mold have been found in concrete homes, this was caused by poor selection of finish materials.

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