There is high likelihood that some degree of mold is growing in your house right now.
Is the presence of this undetected mold the very unseen cause of your headaches, insomnia, itchy skin, asthma, fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression, ADD, ringing ears, heart palpitations? How would you know?
- You are exposed to mold every day – where and how much?
- Do you have the HLA-DR gene that blocks detox and makes you susceptible?
- How to identify if this is an issue for you? Is your migraine, your fibromyalgia, asthma, fatigue, skin rash, frequent infections, numbness & tingling, back pain, etc actually the result of MOLD!!
- How to handle mold when it becomes an issue.
- Define the mold issue - >50% of all buildings have it.
- Physical Symptoms of mold toxicity.
- IICRC = Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification
- Discuss my experience with mold and how I was fooled initially.
- Chuck Billingsley – IICRC mold inspector. Videos of Chuck on our YouTube channel.
- Tools you will need.
- Overview of the process.
Call to action: Actionable steps to take.
- Test your home – “DIY Mold Test”
- If concerned, then get your body tested. Mosaic Mycotoxin urine test.
- It’s easier and more definitive to test a body than a house.
Notes on Variability
- Individual Differences: Not everyone exposed to mycotoxins will experience symptoms, and the severity can vary widely. Those with compromised immune systems, allergies, or pre-existing conditions (e.g., asthma, chronic illness) may be more susceptible.
- Chronic vs. Acute Exposure: Acute exposure to high levels of mycotoxins may cause immediate, severe symptoms, while chronic low-level exposure might lead to insidious, long-term health issues.
- Common Mycotoxins: Toxins like aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, trichothecenes, and fumonisins (produced by molds like Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Stachybotrys) are associated with different symptom profiles.
- Diagnosis Challenges: Symptoms of mycotoxin exposure often mimic other conditions (e.g., allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia), making diagnosis difficult without proper testing (e.g., mycotoxin urine tests, environmental mold testing).
How do know if someone has mold toxicity? Wide array of possible symptoms.
- My head feels like its vibrating
- My feet and hands have tingling sensation off and on
- Emotional roller coaster – anxious for no reason – depression
- Palpitations – chest pain – breathing issues.
- Muscle or joint pain – weakness.
My wife Beth had none of these things – her only Sx was a RASH.
Mold exposure, particularly to mycotoxins (toxic compounds produced by certain molds), can lead to a wide range of symptoms, often referred to as mycotoxicosis.
1. Respiratory Symptoms
- Coughing or wheezing
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Nasal congestion, sinusitis, or runny nose
- Sore throat or irritation in the throat
- Asthma-like symptoms or exacerbation of existing asthma
- Chronic sinus infections
2. Neurological and Cognitive Symptoms
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems or forgetfulness
- Headaches or migraines
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Confusion or disorientation
- Tremors or muscle twitching
- Mood changes, including anxiety, depression, or irritability
- Insomnia or disturbed sleep
3. Gastrointestinal Symptoms
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Loss of appetite or unintentional weight loss
- Food sensitivities or digestive issues
4. Skin-Related Symptoms
- Rashes, hives, or itchy skin
- Redness or irritation
- Dry, scaly skin or eczema-like symptoms
- Unexplained sores or lesions
- Increased sensitivity to touch
5. Immune System and Allergic Reactions
- Frequent infections due to weakened immune response
- Allergic reactions, such as sneezing, watery eyes, or itching
- Chronic fatigue or persistent tiredness
- Autoimmune-like symptoms, such as joint pain or inflammation
- Hypersensitivity to mold or other environmental triggers
6. Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Muscle aches or cramps
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Weakness or reduced physical stamina
- Unexplained muscle twitching or spasms
7. Cardiovascular Symptoms
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Blood pressure changes (high or low)
8. Systemic and General Symptoms
- Chronic fatigue syndrome or profound exhaustion
- Fever or chills
- Night sweats
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or chemicals (multiple chemical sensitivity)
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Hormonal imbalances, such as irregular menstrual cycles
9. Ocular and Auditory Symptoms
- Blurry vision or sensitivity to light
- Red, watery, or itchy eyes
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Ear pain or infections
10. Psychological and Behavioral Symptoms
- Mood swings or emotional instability
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Depression or feelings of hopelessness
- Irritability or agitation
- Difficulty with decision-making or problem-solving
Mold Problem
The EPA estimates that 50 to 85% of all buildings and homes have active mold.
Mold is outdoors always and everywhere. So why isn’t everyone sick all the time?
- HLA-DR gene– get it tested on HippEvo.com.
- A positive HLA-DR gene greatly impacts your ability to clear mold mycotoxins from your body.
What to do . . .
If you think you see mold – what to do: Leave it alone, one square inch of visible mold is 1,000,000-10,000,000 spores
- Disrupting mold sends mold spores into the air
- Disrupting mold prompts it to generate rapidly higher levels of mycotoxins
- Seal the area it possible: close the door and seal with painter’s tape
- Call an expert to run an air quality test. See notes below on IICRC inspectors or contact Chuck Billingsley to come test your home.
Test YOU – before you test your home.
Get AWAY from the mold
Get a urine test – Mosaic urine mycotoxin
Get a gene test – HLA-DR & TGFb1
Engage binders to detox – work with an experienced clinician.
HOME: get your ducts cleaned by a reliable company that keeps the vacuum used out in their truck and does not bring it into your home.
Dust your walls – clean them with E3C or H2O2. Dust feeds mold.
Humidity – keep it <50% I prefer <40%
Keep air moving. Mold hates dry air that is well ventilated. Curtails possible growth.
Mold Inspector - Chuck Billingsley - Phone: (513) 405-1209. Thur-O-Check.
- This is my preference as he has provided solid results for many of my patients.
IICRC Remediators in Cincinnati Search: iicrc.org/iicrcgloballocator
- Dry Effect Restoration Services
Teasdale Fenton Cleaning & Property Restoration -
Xpert Restoration
Best Option Restoration of Butler Warren Clermont County
MRC Mold Remediation Cincinnati
TRI-WEH Environmental
AdvantaCan of Greater Cincinnati
SERVPRO of East Central Cincinnati
AnyWeather Restoration
Paul Davis Restoration & Remodeling of The Tri State Area – Cincinnati NKY
Clark Contractors - $50,000 to use Dawn dish soap.
Mold remediation - IICRC standards
- Containment with negative air pressure
- Removal of the contamination source
- Explore past the visible growth 2 feet
- Air scrub for a minimum of 7 air exchanges (air wash)
- Clean all dust, horizontal and high-touch surfaces
IICRC certified firms – what to ask
- What productsdo they use?
- What are the safety and efficacy ratings?
- Clark Contractors reported using nothing more than Dawn dish soap.
- Do they offer a guarantee?
- Do they work with other functional medicine practitioners?
- Do they complete a post-testand charge for it?
- If so, ask them to remove the charge and put the money towards 3rd party post-testing
- Always verify the remediation with 3rd party post-testing
BOOKS: Jill Crista “Break the Mold” & Neil Nathans “Toxic”
Cleaning Products
Borax Mule Team – leaves a residue. Don’t need to rinse
Hydrogen peroxide -3-6%Concrobium ***RMR-141 RTU Disinfectant. Toxic with strong fumes.EC3 Mold Solution *** Natural botanical enzyme, safe, non-toxic, no fumes,
pleasant smell. No rinse needed, leaves protective barrier.DAWN dish soap – NO!!!! Dawn does NOT kill mold. It can be used to wash mold off of non-porous materials but cement and wood are not non-porous.EQUIPMENT - I used in my own mold remediation. Basics: Box fan + Dehumidifier + Hygrometer
Dehumidifier - ALORAIR LGR Commercial Dehumidifier with Pump Drain Hose, 180 Pint Large Capacity Crawl Space Dehumidifier
Hygrometer - Extech 445715 Digit Thermometer/Hygrometer
HEPA Vacuum – BOSCH VAC090AH Portable 9 Gallon Dust Extractor with Auto Filter Clean and HEPA Filter. Filters particles down to 0.3 microns
Air scrubber - MOUNTO HEPA500 Commercial 500cfm Air Purifier Hepa Air Scrubber Negative Air Machine. Filters to 0.3 microns
IQAir HealthPro Compact XE Air Purifier - Compact Hyper-HEPA
for Rooms up to 1240 sq ft. Filters down to 0.003 microns.
QUESTIONS
- Why is it a good idea for the mold tester not be the one doing the remediation?
- Cheating occurs. You want a third party to validate ideal results.
- What if mold is just in the basement, or just in the crawl space? Could I still be affected? YES!! HVAC system spreads air all over your house regardless of where the problem is occurring.
- Is it possible to heal from mold toxicity if you are still living in mold? NO. You must get away from the source.
- Is there a “DIY” mold test kit I can buy from amazon that is accurate?
- DIY MOLD TEST – is a unit you can find online.
- Sporecyte - $200. Commercial grade air flow test device.
Air-O-Cell – collection cassette - $8
- Where to send cassette for analysis?
EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LCS Laboratory Inc.
SanAir Technologies Laboratory, Inc
- What type of air purifiers do you use?
- IQ Air is a great product that filters down to very small size of 0.003 microns which will capture mycotoxins.
- Air scrubber – Mounto HEPA-500
- How is it possible for two people to be living in the same moldy home and one person is sick and while the other is not?
- HLA-DR gene.
- Dawn Dish Soap gets rid of mold? Does not kill mold.
- Can clean mold off of NON-porous material.