Feature Article Release Date: March 28, 2005
Contact: Phillip Fry, Manager, Mold Inspector Laboratory International, Ltd.
Phone: 63-921-352-1287
Email: moldinspector@yahoo.com

How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold Species

VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many property owners, apartment landlords, renters, employers, and employees want to know, and need to know, the precise identities of the various mold species infesting their moldy house, rental unit, or place of employment, according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of the book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, & Remediation.

The accurate identification of mold species requires two steps: (1) physical collection of mold samples from the moldy building; and (2) mold laboratory analysis of the collected mold samples.

The least costly way to collect mold samples is the do-it-yourself approach carried out by gathering actual samples of mold growth to submit for mold laboratory analysis ($20.00 or more fee per sample analyzed).

Bulk Physical Mold Sampling

If a property owner or occupant sees mold growing on a wall, ceiling, floor, heating or cooling duct register, or any other surface, he can scrape mold particles off the mold growth area into a small ziplock bag. Collecting such a physical sample is “bulk mold sampling” or “physical mold sampling.”

During such scraping of the mold growth, the tester needs to wear rubber gloves and a full-face respirator mask with organic vapor filters (such as the 3M brand from a large hardware, home improvement, or safety store).

To do the scraping, use a new or thoroughly disinfected (with ethyl or rubbing alcohol) paint scraper. Disinfect the scraper after each individual sampling to remove any possible mold contaminants, and thus avoid mold cross-contamination in the sampling process from one source or location to another.

Print clearly and neatly on a large pressure sensitive label the property owner’s name, the property address, the precise test location at that address, the testing date, and the type of sampling method (“bulk sample”), along with the tester’s name and contact information.

The label should also include each individual test number, as listed on the mold chain of custody form, available free from the mold laboratory. Attach the label to the ziplock bag containing that respective, numbered mold sample.
Alternatively, the tester can scrape the mold particles directly into a mold test kit (Petri dish) to start the growing (“culturing”) of the mold sample. This “viable testing” growth process takes 5 to 7 days for accuracy in mold species identification.

The tester can then either watch the test kits for mold growth, or send the mold test kit to the mold lab immediately, or after the self-observation growth period.

Another bulk physical sampling technique is to cut out a small section (no larger than 2 inches by 2 inches) of a building material or home furnishing that contains significant mold growth. Then, put that cut piece into a small ziplock bag, or press firmly the moldy side down into a mold test kit. Follow the same labeling instructions explained above.

Examples of moldy materials from which bulk samples can be cut for mold lab analysis are wood timbers, drywall, plasterboard, wallpaper, ceiling tile, carpeting, padding, heating/cooling system filters, clothing, furniture upholstery, and any other favorite mold food.

Scotch® Brand Tape Lift Sampling

The easy steps involved in tape lift sampling to collect physical bulk mold samples are—

1. Cut a three-inch (3”) long strip of one-inch (1”) wide, transparent sticky tape, such as Scotch® Brand Tape.

2. While wearing rubber gloves and a breathing respirator mask (with organic vapor filters) from the local hardware or home improvement store, press the tape strip firmly (sticky side down) onto the visible mold growth or onto the surface being tested.

3. Remove (peel back) the tape from the surface.

4. Open up a small ziplock bag (a transparent, easily sealable plastic storage bag), and press lightly the lift tape sample sticky side onto the inside sidewall of the ziplock bag.

5. Close [zip shut] the ziplock bag completely. Tape it shut if necessary to make sure no airborne mold spores can escape.

6. Attach to the outside of the ziplock bag a large adhesive label with the same types of sample identification information specified above, except that the type of sampling method is “lift tape sampling.”

For more information about bulk physical mold sampling, lift tape mold sampling, mold laboratory analysis, and mold species identification, please visit—

http://www.moldlab.biz

http://www.moldinspector.com

http://www.moldmart.net

Mr. Phillip Fry is a Certified Mold Inspector and a Certified Mold Remediator. He had written DIY Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing and Remediation ebooks. He had also co-authored the ebook Mold Legal Guide.

Choosing the right wheelchair van to meet your needs is an important decision that should not be taken lightly or without serious thought. When you are looking at wheelchair accessible vans, there are a number of key factors to be aware of before making a final decision regarding a purchase. By thinking through what type of vehicle you need, the features it must have, and how much money you can spend, you will reduce the stress of shopping for a vehicle.

 

Do not allow yourself to be limited by thinking you can only use one kind of wheelchair van. Wheelchair accessible vans come in many different models, colors, and styles. Newer mobility technology has allowed for many different types of vehicles to be converted into vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs. Shop around at different lots to get a feel for the variety of vehicles they have to choose from and choose one that not only meets your needs but one that you like too.

 

Look for wheelchair accessible vans that use hydraulic lifts rather than ones that run on electric motors. Electric motors have been known to fail more frequently than hydraulic lifts. Electric lifts may need more frequent repairs and replacement parts than their hydraulic counterparts. These repairs can end up being very expensive and can put a serious drain on your bank account. Lifts that break down while in use can cause major inconveniences for disabled individuals attempting to enter or exit the vehicle.

 

As with any vehicle, wheelchair accessible vans should be taken for a test drive before the purchase is made. There are several things to check for during the test drive. The ride should be smooth, although most wheelchair vans have added suspension that tends to make the ride a bit bumpier. Check the handling of the vehicle to make sure that it is easy to drive and park.

 

If you are looking at a used wheelchair van, it is important to get the vehicle history report on the vehicle. This will provide you with information about previous owners and if the vehicle has been in previous accidents, along with any repair work that has been done. Also make sure that all of the mobility equipment and modifications on the van meet the ADA safety standards. If the modifications do not meet the standards, do not purchase the vehicle. This ensures you purchase a safe vehicle to drive.

There are many different ways to deal with anxiety, but one of the easiest to put into practice right away is to distract yourself from your feelings. This may sound like a difficult thing to do, especially if your anxiety is stopping you from throwing yourself 100% into life. However by engaging in an activity that stimulates you, that holds your attention, and that you enjoy, this can distract you from that uncomfortable, lingering anxious sensation.

When you suffer from anxiety, you may become obsessed with your feelings and emotions at any given moment. The more preoccupied you are, the less you will think about your feelings and anxieties, and the better you will feel.

Think about something that you enjoy doing, something that really holds your attention and that you become completely absorbed in. You probably become too preoccupied to constantly ‘check in’ on your feelings and stop unconsciously measuring your anxiety level.

Basically, the more engaged you are with life, the less anxious you will feel.

What are some activities you could engage in?
Do you play a musical instrument or a sport? Do you enjoy gardening? Arts and crafts? Maybe you are at your most relaxed when you spend time with a friend. The idea is to find something that you enjoy, something that will absorb your attention, and that you can do on a regular basis.

By having too much time on your hands, you will only spend more time dwelling on your feelings of anxiety. If you haven’t got a hobby maybe you could spend some time each week volunteering. Help out with a local charity, do something for the elderly, look after animals or become involved in environmental conservation. Volunteering can help to improve your self esteem, and can also help you to feel less isolated or lonely.

So if you’re looking for ways to deal with anxiety today, practice the art of distraction. Focus your attention on something you enjoy doing, and avoid concentrating on whatever anxious sensations you might be experiencing. When you are fully engaged with life, there is no room for anxiety. You separate yourself from feelings of discomfort, and you will begin to relax and enjoy life more. At the same time your will build new competencies, increase your confidence and maybe make new friends in the process.

Combine your new distraction with Barry McDonagh’s One Move Technique in Panic Away, and eventually you will begin to wonder why you felt so anxious all the time!

First reported by Dr. T H Oliver in 1920, ozone and oxidative therapies have been used extensively by doctors to treat a wide range of health problems, such as vascular disease, cancer, viral diseases, ulcers, inflammatory bowel diseases and spinal disc problems. Additionally, these treatments are effective therapies for contaminated wounds, burns and infections. The use of oxygen to heal is based on the idea that it breaks down and eliminates toxins from the body by “burning” them through the process of oxidation.

In the process of ozone and oxidative therapies white blood cell production is also encouraged, there is an increased delivery of oxygen to the cells, red blood cell flexibility is expanded and metabolism is also stimulated. Because of its ability to kill bacteria and fungus, many cities purify their drinking water with ozone.

Ozone therapy can be received in one of several ways, including injection, inseffulation, ozone “bagging,” external use of ozonated olive oil, and autohemotherapy. Inseffulation is the process which consists of inserting a tiny tube into the infected area and up to half a liter of pure ozone in a humidified gas is introduces in less than thirty seconds. In order to fight nail fungus, the best delivery of ozone to the body is by bagging or the application of ozonated olive oil. Bagging is done by placing the infected fingers in a plastic bag and filling that bag with ozone. Ozonated olive oil, available in many natural health stores, is made by bubbling ozone through olive oil for several days until it solidifies. An effective way to reduce both the symptoms and prevalence of the infection is to apply ozonated olive oil to the affected nail several times daily until the fungus has died and the healthy nail has regrown.

Oxidation therapy is commonly administered via hydrogen peroxide. Because the body’s cells produce hydrogen peroxide as a first line of defense when confronted with bacteria, parasites and yeast, it is known as an effective and natural immune system booster. To treat nail fungus with oxidation therapy, a finger soak is the best application. It is wisest to use food grade hydrogen peroxide (35%) as the over the counter solution (3%) contains other chemicals and impurities that may adversely affect sensitive skin. Mix 2 ounces of the food grade type with warm water and soak the nails infected with the fungus for 30 minutes. If using the over the counter version, you will need nearly twelve times the hydrogen peroxide to make an equally effective solution. Repeat this treatment three to four times per week until the infection has cleared.

Hydrogen peroxide is an extremely safe and effective treatment for nail fungus when used with care. Because the pure form of the solution is highly toxic and dangerous, it is absolutely necessary to take care when using this home treatment by always diluting it correctly. When administered in proper amounts this form of treatment has shown great promise in the healing of many ailments, including nail fungus.

When treating your nail fungus with ozone or oxidative therapy, the success of the treatment depends entirely on your willingness to continually treat the nail as directed and to continue your chosen course of therapy for a considerable amount of time. The treatment of nail fungus is so lengthy due to the fact even after the fungus has died and the nail begins to clear, the treatment must continue until the infected portion of the nail has completely grown out. Unfortunately, because the cure for nail fungus can take six months or longer, many people choose to live with it rather than take measures to combat it.

Once the fungus has been effectively killed and the nail is completely healthy, it is vital to take steps to ensure that the fungus does not return. Keeping nails clean and trim is important to ensure that the fungus cannot make a home under the nail. Never pick at hangnails or other skin around the nails; germs can more easily find a way into your nails if you do. When your hands are to be exposed to water for prolonged periods of time, use rubber gloves and make sure to give the gloves ample time to dry inside out after use.

If you typically have your nails done at a salon, be sure that it is a reputable one that understands the importance of sterilizing all manicure equipment. It also may be necessary to discontinue using nail polish or artificial nails as they can trap moisture under the polish and encourage the growth of fungus. It is also imperative to keep the hands clean, especially after contacting fungus that may reside on other fingernails or toenails because of the contagious nature of the fungus. Additionally, maintaining a healthy immune system is a key to fighting any fungal infections to which you may be exposed.

Dr. Jonathan N. Group, B.S., R.D., D.C. is a Doctor of Chiropractic, Registered Dietitian and Independent Research Scientist. He has over 15 years of educational and research experience in health care focusing in clinical nutrition, alternative medicine, holistic healing, chiropractic, medical testing, rehabilitation, physical medicine, nutritional counseling, wellness, and personal training. His seminar presentation experience includes various topics including but not limited to health, healing, nutrition, weight loss, alternative medicine, fitness, rehabilitation, back health and overall wellness. Dr. Group is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Fungal Research, L.L.C. and heads the research and development team dedicated to producing advanced, new anti-fungal and anti-microbial products. http://www.nail-fungus-toenail.com

One of the ways that you can improve the health of you and your family around the home is by “going green”. By making some small changes around the house, you will be surprised at how much healthier you will all become, plus there are cost benefits as well.

Health alternatives to harsh abrasives

For example, household cleaners are mostly filled with toxins and harsh substances that are harmful not only to the environment but also to you. Many of them have labels on them that which detail this and which state they are harmful if direct contact is made. Why not think about switching to some “organic” alternatives, which are now readily available in most supermarkets, or better still you can make you own. Vinegar, lemon, baking soda and salt are all known to have great cleaning properties and mixed with some water you have a very cheap alternative to some of the harsh abrasives that are on the market. Here are some examples that are found around the home and what they can be used for

Baking Soda – Can be used as a scourer and will also deodorize odors.

Lemon – Will kill bacteria and is an acid so is effect on stubborn stains and useful as freshener. If you pop half a lemon into your fridge, it will remove any nasty smells.

Borax – Makes a great disinfectant and cleans and deodorizes at the same time.

White Vinegar – cuts through grease, removes odors and has antiseptic properties.

A simple household cleaner can be made by mixing 1/2 cup of vinegar with a 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 gallon of water. Stored in a suitable container, this will keep for months and can be used for cleaning your kitchen cupboards and worktops and also your bathroom, including the suite and tiles.

Healthy food choices

Think about the food that you eat. Is it something you could grow yourself? Many products that are bought from a store come from farms that use pesticides and preservatives. If you are able to plant some fruit and vegetables at home, you will avoid the use of these by using natural alternatives and you will be reducing your carbon footprint at the same time. It will be a lot cheaper and a lot healthier for you and your family. If you have children this is a wonderful way to educate them about the environment and the effects it has on our lives. Fortunately there is a lot of help available if you want to have your own vegetable patch, thanks to green initiatives raised by organic companies wanting to improve the environment and reduce the carbon footprint for families. Seeds and baby plants will cost very little and you can achieve a great harvest that will be far more cost effective and a lot healthier than buying from a store.

There are many ways in which you can improve health at home and these are just some examples. 

Buying a handicapped accessible van is a big investment, and it is not something that you can take lightly. You need to make sure that you do the research you need to ensure that you are getting the van that you need. Of course, with the economy in trouble, many people feel that they may not be able to afford at van now. The price can indeed be prohibitive to many. However, this does not mean that you have to give up on the idea of having a quality vehicle. Instead of buying something that is new, you can always choose to look at used wheelchair vans instead.

When you are buying the used vans, you will be able to save quite a bit of money. In many cases, you can save thousands of dollars. The vans will still have everything that you need too. In fact, most of the used vans are only going to be a few years old, so the technology they have should still be quite new.

Of course, you do need to take care when you are buying used wheelchair vans. You want to make sure that you buy from a legitimate source. You may find someone who is selling his or her van, and it might be a good deal. However, buying used from a dealer is often going to be a better decision, simply because they can offer a warranty and a clean bill of health for the van.

You should also make sure that you do plenty of research before you buy used wheelchair vans. You should determine the make and model of the van that you want, as well as the type of mobility lift that you want. If you have the opportunity, you will want to test drive some vehicles before you buy. Having the opportunity to ride in or drive in the vans is imperative. You want to know how they feel and how they handle. Comfort is going to be very important when you are choosing a vehicle.

Instead of lamenting the fact that you can’t afford one of the brand new vans, make sure that you start looking at all of the used wheelchair vans in your area. You should be able to find some great options in your area. It is proof that you do not have to be wealthy to have the transportation that you need and deserve.

 

As part of a four year study done through H.H.C.L. healthcare’s medical fitness facility, all participating subjects that were on antidepressants were able to decrease or stop their antidepressant medications for depression, stress, and anxiety.

With a team of fitness experts, Nickey Jenkins, Recreation Therapist and Executive Director ran a 4 year test to identify adrenaline producing stressors and the effect placed on the body. With the stressors and their effects identified the goal was to develop self control techniques through fitness and meditation in an attempt to prevent long range adrenaline damage to the body. These studies lead to the development of the W.A.R. (worry, adrenaline, rest) therapeutic fitness model to be developed.

The program was designed to collect specific data at seven specific points in time during the day. Collected data included biofeedback from stress dots, blood pressure, emotion being experienced, and any medications being taken. Certain foods were also monitored that had stimulant properties such as caffeine, energy drinks, and high sugar contents.

From the initial week of data collection, evidence clearly identified a strong direct connection between emotions both good and bad producing high adrenaline production. The more intense the emotion such as anger, frustration, excitement, and being happy produced the largest amounts of adrenaline. We wanted to have the ability to monitor immediate reactions with adrenaline, while being the least evasive to our test subjects. Stress dots were chosen as the primary method for biofeedback due to their ability to react to temperature changes in the hand due to adrenaline production.

Adrenaline production is known to constrict our capillaries in the extremities thus restricting blood flow and causing colder temperatures in the hands and feet. The color changes in the stress dot react to the body temperatures which indicate the amount of adrenaline production. Color shifts toward violet and blue indicated no or little adrenaline production, and good blood flow. While on the other end brown and black indicated high adrenaline production and restricted blood flow.

Through the monitoring or the emotions and color changes we were able to monitor adrenaline production. The colors also informed us as to when intervention was needed. The objective now became to develop a calming down method. We devised a calming method that worked around mental preparation, and mini calming periods whenever needed. The calming cycle was based on the concept of rest and relaxing ones mind. Our approach combined meditation with prayer and using a therapeutic posture whenever possible.

We quickly learned that test subjects after three months, and mastering the technique was able to shift the colors on the stress dot one-two colors on the stress dot toward violet.   

We learned that the resting period was much more than a calming down phase with much wider applications. The calming down cycle only needed to last from three to five minutes to be effective and produce a color change.

It is a known medical fact that adrenaline causes reduced blood flow to the hands and feet, speeds up the heart, increases blood pressure, and speeds up digestive system. Long term adrenaline production causes heart disease, High blood pressure, stomach ulcers, muscle spasms, and depletes our brains natural defenses system for depression, stress, and anxiety. It causes the depletion of serotonin.

We concluded in our study findings that we are able to monitor our adrenaline production. Through calming techniques, we are able to control that production of adrenaline. We can turn on or off adrenaline production at will.

Our final conclusions were that through exercise the brain produces serotonin. However, through regular exercise different strong emotions are experienced such as frustration, excitement, competitiveness, etc. High adrenaline production during the preparing for exercise, the exercise, and the euphoria after was capable of undermining the whole purpose of the exercise. Physical improvement was shown with little improvement in ones mental stability. The brain is one of the main variables in any fitness program you may choose. To neglect it would be no different than not sticking to a diet, and wondering why you cannot loose weight.

We then had to develop a method to integrate the rest period into the exercise program so to reap all the therapeutic benefits without creating any of the long term adrenaline effects. This brought about the development of the W.A.R. (worry, adrenaline, rest) therapeutic fitness model, and the Building The Temple Therapeutic Fitness program.

There’s more to keeping you pearly whites precisely that than a bit of brushing and the odd visit to a dentist. Take a look at these dental dos and don’ts.

#1 Avoid Fizzy Drinks

Carbonated drinks (including the diet variety and sparkling water) can cause your teeth to look older than they really are. These drinks are so highly acidic that they can actually dissolve the upper layers of the tooth. They contain high amounts of phosphorus – a mineral that can leach calcium from your bones if you consume too much and some scientists believe they can weaken your jawbone, increasing the chance of losing teeth.

Some researchers believe calcium is first robbed not from your hips or spine but from your jaw, leading to tooth loss. We see a number of young people who have the jaws of much older people, because of poor dietary habits such as drinking soda, along with not getting enough calcium.

#2 Chew your Food

Foods that work on the teeth like detergents are foods that require chewing. Apples, celery and carrots clean teeth naturally and foods such a spinach, lettuce and broccoli prevent staining by creating a film on the teeth that acts like a barrier. Major strainers will take their toll on your smile sooner of later, so steer clear of tea, coffee, red wine, and highly pigmented foods such as cherries and blueberries anything in fact, that will stain a white shirt.

#3 Don’t take Drugs

Ecstasy causes jaw clenching in users. A study found that 60 per cent of ecstasy users examined had worn their teeth through the enamel and into the underlying dentine, compared with only 11 per cent of non-users. As for cocaine rubbed on gums, it restricts blood flow, traumatizes the tissue and inhibits nutrition of the gums. Remember gums keep teeth in place.

#4 Quit Smoking

Smoking causes staining of the teeth and bad breath and increases the risk of oral cancer and gum disease, as it constricts blood flow to the gums. In fact, some gum specialists feel it’s not worth providing advanced treatment for gum disease in smokers, as there is very little chance of improvement. Smoking one pack a day for 10 years can cause a 10 per cent loss of bone support. Long term studies reveal that most tooth loss in 19 to 40 year olds is associated with smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day.

#5 Beware Bleaching

A professionally applied whitening system will not damage teeth. But some over the counter bleaches are so acidic; they can cause surface loss and sensitivity.

#6 Stop Biting Nails

Habitual nail chewers damage more than their cuticles; they can damage their teeth, too. If you have weakened enamel, you end up with an exposed, dented, soft area in the center of the tooth. And that’s when the problem occurs. The denting is much softer than the enamel and if exposed to bad habits such as chewing nails, opening beer bottles, it will wear down. Often the middle part dissolves quicker than the outside and the brittle enamel is very prone to chipping, making the teeth look uneven and unattractive.

Cathy Gates also writes on Fingernail Fungus. More info: Nail Fungus Cure