Archive for November 2007
Live Christmas trees and mold
November 17, 2007, 7:26 amThere’s been some coverage of the potential for live christmas trees to trigger allergies in part via increasing the mold content in the air. Here’s an excerpt from a US News and World Report aritcle:
Connecticut researchers have found that the mold count from a live Christmas tree rose to five times the normal level two weeks after the tree was brought indoors, and that can prove problematic for people with mold allergies. Their research was presented this week at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology annual meeting, in Dallas.
“Christmas trees are another possible source of mold exposure during the holiday season,” said study co-author Philip Hemmers, an allergist and immunologist with St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Conn. “Mold allergies peak in the fall, and we see a second peak with a lot of our mold-sensitive patients during the holiday season. Our finding correlates with this second peak of mold sensitivity.”
The researchers studied the mold growth of a live Christmas tree in a house in Connecticut. Mold reproduce by releasing spores into the air, so after the live Christmas tree was brought inside the house and decorated, the researchers measured mold spore counts. These counts were taken 12 times over a two-week period between Dec. 24 and Jan. 6. The researchers did not assess the types of mold or whether these molds triggered allergic symptoms in people living in the house.
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(posted in the News category)
Removing mold via an ozone machine
November 15, 2007, 7:23 amHere’s a blog post from the site FixMyHouse that talks about using an ozone machine to remove mold:
Mold removal falls under the scope of the larger field of mold remediation. Usually, mold remediation entails complete elimination of mold from indoor areas, such as rooms in condominiums and offices. Mold growth is a common problem that is covered in occupational health. Mold usually grows in moist environments, such as rooms that do not have adequate ventilation and leave moisture trapped within the room’s structure. Mold can be dangerous to people who are allergic to it or have some kind of physical reaction to the presence of mold spores in the air. Some people develop fungus infections on their skin, or have asthmatic attacks from inhaling the mold spores. It is very important then to remove mold from a contaminated room.
Professional remediation personnel can act to diagnose if you have a mold problem in your indoor environment, and can recommend ways to undertake mold removal for you. One way is mold removal with the use of an ozone machine.
You may know an ozone machine by another name, which is Ozone Generator. The two names refer to one and the same machine which theoretically functions via the ozone blasting technique. Ozone blasting (also called High Ozone shock treatment) is supposed to be a cheap yet effective way to undertake mold removal in indoor places
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(posted in the Resources category)
Research connecting mold to allergies and asthma
November 14, 2007, 7:19 amResearch Findings in Allergic Rhinitis Presented at ACAAI Annual Meeting
Newswise — Researchers are presenting nearly 350 abstracts on investigational findings in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Dallas, Nov. 8-14. Following are highlights of some key studies on allergic rhinitis.
“Nasal Allergies Adversely Affect Sleep and Productivity in Children.” (Abstract #1: Nov. 11 at 1:00 p.m.) – Jennifer M. Derebery, M.D., Los Angeles, et al – Investigators conducted a national telephone survey (Pediatric Allergies in America) of the parents of 500 children (4 to 17 years) with current nasal allergies. Their findings include: approximately one third of parents of children with nasal allergies reported that their children had difficulty getting to sleep (32 percent), staying asleep (26 percent), or experiencing a good night sleep (29 percent) compared with rates of 12 percent, 8 percent and 12 percent reported by parents of children without nasal allergies, respectively. Forty percent of parents reported that nasal allergies interfered with their child’s performance at school or daycare.
“Children with Nasal Allergies Experience Bothersome Symptoms That Affect Daily Activities.” (Abstract #10: Nov. 11 at 2:15 p.m.) – Michael S. Blaiss, M.D., Memphis, et al – In the national telephone survey (Pediatric Allergies in America) of the parents of 500 children (4 to 17 years) with current nasal allergies, one third of parents reported that their children cannot tolerate their nasal allergies.
According to the survey results, 55 percent of allergists, 38 percent of pediatricians, 27 percent of family practice physicians, and 26 percent of ear, nose and throat specialists agreed that a pediatric patient experiencing a nasal allergy attack cannot tolerate symptoms without relief. Parents reported a 29 percent decrease in productivity of their children with nasal allergies on days when symptoms were at their worst.
“Rhinitis Outcomes Questionnaire in Allergic Rhinitis and Immunotherapy Patients: A Five-Year Retrospective Analysis and Web-based Implementation.” (Abstract #12: Nov. 11 at 1:45 p.m.) – Dan A. Dalan, M.D., Fargo, N.D. – This report is the first long term follow up of 1657 new allergic rhinitis (AR) and 116 immunotherapy (IT) patients using the rhinitis outcomes questionnaire and its use as a Web-based tool. Authors conclude that practice guidelines use in the treatment of AR and IT patients showed significant improvement and sustained health outcomes over five years. They use this validated electronic rhinitis outcomes questionnaire to record short and long-term improved outcomes, important in clinical patient care, research and pay for performance documentation.
“Mold Allergy and Live Christmas Trees.” (Abstract #P59: Nov. 10-11, Noon – 1:00 p.m., Clinical Connect Program) – William J. Rockwell, M.D., Bridgeport, Conn., et al – The allergic symptoms associated with decorating the home during the Christmas season are often attributed to the dust mites on ornaments and lights, the scent of the live Christmas tree and the mold that grows on the tree note the authors. Investigators measured mold counts 12 times over a two-week period between Dec. 24 and Jan. 6, after the live Christmas tree was brought inside and decorated. Spore counts rose from a baseline average of 800 spores/m3 to a maximum of 5,000 spores/mc by day 14 when the tree was taken down. This study demonstrates that mold-sensitive patients may experience allergic symptoms due to an increasing mold spore exposure from having a live Christmas tree in the home.
“Economic Impact of Allergic Rhinitis to Managed Care: A Retrospective Claims Analysis.” (Abstract #P234: Nov. 10-11, Noon – 1:00 p.m.) – Anand Dalall, Ph.D., MBA, Research Triangle Park, N.C., et al – In a study of 301,000 insured managed care enrollees with rhinitis, the burden of rhinitis to the health plan in terms of rhinitis-related total medical cost were $319 and total prescription costs were $338 for total cost of $657 per patient. Antihistamine (40 percent) was the most common class of medication utilized, followed by nasal steroids (21 percent). 37 percent of patients utilized more than one class of prescription rhinitis medication to control various symptoms. Authors conclude that medications that can treat more than one symptom effectively may reduce managed care costs.
About the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
The ACAAI is a professional medical organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., that promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology. The College, comprising more than 5,000 allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals, fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.
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(posted in the Resources, News category)
When flooding leads to mold
November 13, 2007, 7:16 amHere’s an excerpt article from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel regarding a problem at the count appraiser’s office. Flooding has predictably led to mold infestation and the costs of removal a burden on the taxpayers:
First, it was rats. Now, the county agency that sets property values is plagued with leaks, mold and flooding.
The problem is so bad that the Property Appraiser’s Office likely will have to move out of the Governmental Center for two years while the roof is torn off and replaced. The cost to taxpayers: at least $2.5 million, and it could be much more expensive because officials don’t know the price of rebuilding the office after the new roof is installed.
Despite repeated repairs, water from a nearby alley was 4 inches deep in parts of the office after rain in late October. Sections of the roof have leaked so badly that computers have died and plastic trays with funnels now line the ceiling to collect water and drain it into buckets. Potential mold has been discovered in the walls and ceiling.
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(posted in the News category)
School leaks result in mold at 5 locations
November 12, 2007, 7:21 amAnother story of mold in schools, this time from Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, via the islandpacket.com website, here’s a quote:
Since the beginning of this school year, at least five schools in southern Beaufort County have reported problems with water leaking, according to school officials, teachers and district officials. Those schools include Hilton Head Island High, Hilton Head Island International Baccalaureate Elementary, M.C. Riley Elementary, Bluffton High and Daufuskie Elementary.
Students were pulled out of Daufuskie Elementary for at least six days earlier this school year, and parents have removed students from at least two other district schools due to concerns about compromised air quality.
District spokesman John Williams said water problems and air quality concerns are constant challenges for Beaufort County’s 28 schools. Even in one of the district’s newest schools — the three-year-old Bluffton High — problems related to leaking water have been reported this year.
“Given our environment, which includes low-lying ground and very damp conditions, indoor air quality is an ongoing challenge,” Williams said. “But, we do not take concerns lightly and we’ve been very proactive in addressing them. The health of school workers, staff, students and visitors is critically important to us.”
—Administrator | no comments
(posted in the News category)