When Dori Bennett was 46 she consulted with Dr. Elliott for the sudden onset of severe asthma. She had apparently been in good health until she moved into a new home. A leak in the home was repaired prior to the move, and the house had passed inspection. After her asthma progressed to the point of requiring hospitalization, it was suspected that the source of her problem was in her home. An environmental consulting firm noted heavy growth of mold in the crawl space. Molds found included Aspergillus, Actinomycetes, Bacillus, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Mucor, Penicillium, Phoma, and Ulocladium. Several strains of virulent molds, some of which are known to cause asthma, pneumonia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and immune dysfunction, grew on culture plates.
Her family hired an environmental cleanup crew to rid the house of the mold in order to prepare it for resale. An outdoor unit was constructed to house a large heater fan to blow air under the house, while a unit on the opposite side of the house removed moisture-laden air. It took six weeks to dry out the earth under the house. A detailed mold remediation ofthehouseand contents followed. The cost of the cleanup was $40,000. When further testing showed that the house was fully remediated, it was sold. Ms. Bennett now lives in a home free of mold growth and her health is slowly improving.
Discussion
Mold and mycotoxin exposure can affect any organ in the body, including the respiratory, nervous, and immune systems. Homeowners, building managers, and health care professionals need to be much more aware of this potential problem.
contained inside walls or other building cavities such as attics and crawl spaces, the slightest air current can send spores swirling through the air, where they can be easily inhaled.
Carpets act as large reservoirs for dust, bacteria, and mold. Microbes commonly grow within the ductwork of forced-air heating systems, which can spread mold and dust throughout the house. Unless kept spotlessly clean, toilets and many modern appliances that use water reservoirs, such as vaporizers and humidifiers, can breed microbes. Methods for preventing and controlling mold infestation are discussed throughout the specifications.
Strategies for Creating a Healthy Home
The use of toxic substances in construction is standard. Furthermore, certain prevalent construction practices lead to destructive moisture conditions, pest invasions, or unsafe combustion, all of which can cause even the most chemically inert home to become unhealthy over time. The occupants too will greatly influence the longevity and healthfulness of any home through the day-to-day interaction they have with it.
We have organized the information in Part II of this book to correspond to the standard іб-division format commonly used by residential contractors. In Part II we will explain
the many instances, some obvious and others less so, where undesirable materials and practices may be found in standard construction. Healthier options for materials are listed and quality control measures for the construction phase are specified. Following is a brief overview of the strategies behind the specifications found in Part II of this book. These five strategies are:
• Designing for health
• Employing a climate-based understanding for construction detailing
• Reducing toxic emissions through choice of building materials
• Introducing quality control measures during construction
• Providing for an ongoing healthy home environment through occupant education
Although all homes should be designed to support health, healthy housing is unfortunately considered to be a specialized field of residential design. There are basic design features that should be included in all homes, but they are often overlooked. These features, essential to our health, safety, and sense of wellbeing, include:
