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MOLD
& MILDEW
A Household Primer on How
They Work
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The
terms "mold" and "mildew" are often
interchangeable
— and evidence of these can
be found almost everywhere. Molds are
a subgroup of the fungi family, just like mushrooms (although
they’re not
as appetizing!). Molds are simple microscopic
organisms.
Mold
and mildew contain: Enzymes
- responsible
for digesting and
decomposing Spores
- responsible
for reproduction The
purpose of mold is simply this —
to digest the organic world around
them. Stories about mold
go back thousands of
years. Despite the horrific-sounding
purpose, molds usually
have no adverse effects unless
they are in a concentrated form
and growing in a confined space
occupied by humans. There
are also species of toxic
mold, which should be considered
hazardous.
A study of 10,000 homes in North
America found that half had conditions
of water damage and mold.
The
study, conducted by the Harvard
University School of
Public Health in 1994,
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concluded that
these conditions were associated with increases
in respiratory illness symptoms. As
a result of the building practices over the
past three decades, concentrated and toxic
molds have been found in buildings. Practices
of eliminating infiltration and
exfiltration
of air leads to higher humidity levels
in the home, such as:
• wall
cavities containing cellulose materials
and insulation that
are designed to
limit the indoor and outdoor
air exchange
• wall
cavities that have been wrapped in
plastic,
allowing condensation and moisture
to be created and trapped
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Alban is proud to offer FREE Continuing
Education Courses in Real Estate Offices!Call Melissa For
Information and to Schedule at 301-404-8104 or 301-607-8114. | |
From the desk of . . .
Arthur S. Lazerow
Meet Gretchen
When
Gretchen Wright joined Alban, we knew
she had excellent secretarial skills. After
eighteen months, we now appreciate her
organizational skills and attention to
detail. When Gretchen is at her desk, the
various parts of Alban Home Inspection
Service mesh perfectly. Gretchen
is officially Alban’s secretary and
scheduler. Beyond this, she keeps the
administrative side of our business finely
tuned, from inspector schedules, to
mold supplies, fielding Realtor’s questions
and otherwise managing all the details.
When I asked for her favorite quotation,
she immediately quoted Abigail
Adams, who said, "Great difficulties
may be surmounted by patience
and perseverance."
Gretchen grew up in Virginia and currently
lives in the Frederick area. Her favorite
activities, when not harassing me,
involve gardening and travel. She is most
proud of her daughter’s graduation from
Virginia Tech in 4 years and subsequent
matriculation for advanced studies
in business and graphic arts at Cambridge
University in London, England
and Edinburgh University in Scotland.
We should all be so blessed. Gretchen
keeps us straight and as she says,
"I’m the general problem solver and proud
of it!" We appreciate Gretchen’s fine
work and the many Realtors and clients
who rely on her efficiency concur.
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