According to an article in Indoor Environment Connections, vol. 11, issue 10 dated August 2010, a new scientific study shows a greater link between black mold and asthma. The study, which was conducted by Harvard researchers, says “There is a more definitive link then previously thought between mold in homes and the risk of severe asthma”. The study, which was originally published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care examined homes that contained high amounts of black mold and found children living in these environments, had “severe exacerbations of asthma that often included emergency room visits and hospitalization…” When studies such as these use words like “exacerbations” you can be sure the findings are not going to be good. The EPA places in-home mold threats on the same level as second hand smoke. The new study out of Harvard is now able to show that there is a more precise connection to mold and asthma then had been previously known. It is precisely for this reason that researchers at AdVnt Biotechnologies have worked to develop an in-home black mold detection test called ‘The Informant”. Inexpensive and easy to use, this remarkable test can determine the presence of black mold in 15-minutes or less with out the hassle of sending the results to a lab for further analysis. With this information, occupants of suspected mold infested homes will be armed with positive proof that action in mold remediation needs to be taken to prevent future long-term damage to their health and well-being.

Ann Wu of Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute in Boston who conducted this new mold study explains that enzymes called chitinases that breakdown chitin found in cell walls of mold, causes asthma inflammation. “Our results support increasing evidence that CHIT1, which is primarily released in the lung, plays an important role in the patho-physiology of asthma in the proper environmental context of exposure to chitin, which was approximated by mold levels.” say Wu.

Homes that were used for this study were measured as having greater or less then 25,000 mold colonies per gram of household dust. Though this level is high for most homes, buildings that have problems with dampness, or water saturation in construction materials could have levels that easily reach these numbers. Often times homes that had sustained water damage in the past but had failed to completely remove all damaged materials, such as drywall, carpeting, vinyl floor coverings or wood could give rise to colonies that go undetected years before health problems occur. Click on the following link to see an article and video about one families horrific ordeal near Denver Colorado. http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=156994&catid=509. Testing for black mold in these environments becomes crucial and could mean the difference between better living or constant high cost visits to a hospital or emergency room.  The ‘Informant 15-Minute Black-Mold Detection Test is highly accurate and can detect below 10⁵ or 100,000 spores per ml of three of the most dangerous species of black mold listed by the Center for Disease Control.

As a result of this new study, people who have been pushing for tougher laws and regulations control and clean up of unsafe indoor environments now have documented, scientific evidence to back them up. One citizen, also in Denver CO. decided not to wait for the law to come a knocking chose to do the right thing. His heroic story can be found here… http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_16281174. 

Low-income neighborhoods are at a greater risk for mold problems and asthma is a huge public health concern in these disadvantaged areas that are the hardest hit. Since many buildings at these locations are usually older and have long-standing repair issues in terms of wear and drainage damage, the probability of long-standing plumbing and moisture problems is much greater. Add to that the easily controlled, but seldom dealt with issues of slumlords who are able to slip through the cracks of a legal system that is often to overwhelm to adequately pursue such matters until the problem of black mold demands that they take action, the issues challenging low-income neighborhoods increase. Now with the help of the ‘Informant’ 15-Minute Black Mold Detection Test, occupants have a simple and easy to use instrument ready to help them make their case and take the steps that will be needed to reclaim their homes. See the article in the Phoenx Business Journal on AdVnt’s new “Infomant 15-Minute Black Mold Detection Test.

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Flooding in the Country Music capital of the world has reached catastrophic proportions for many of the residence of Nashville Tennessee. As many homeowners try to restore their homes back to their former glory, many are finding themselves faced with another natural catastrophe literally growing beneath their floorboards, behind cabinets and in their drywalls. Taking advantage of the longstanding waters and wet materials that often remain for days during the clean-up and restoration process of flood remediation, Nashville residence find themselves deeply immersed in trying to prevent their homes from being overrun with the fast growing, disgusting presence of black mold. For months after a major flood, the lingering damp, humid conditions that hover over a flood plain provide the perfect Petri-dish like environment that mold thrives in and spreads at alarmingly exponential rates. The high cost of this infestation can easily run in the thousands of dollars for the average homeowner and upwards in the millions of dollars on the city and state levels. In Phoenix Arizona, one of the nations most dry and arid climates there are at least 20 listings for mold remediation crews alone.

Recently reported that in Antlers OK. US congressman Dan Boren announced that the Antlers Public school system would be receiving a large 3 million dollar portion of a federal grant to build a new elementary school to replace the severely water damaged and mold infested Brantley Elementary.

Soon homeowners and city officials will have a new tool on their side to help them in the early detection and remediation battle to offset the damages caused by black mold. Thanks to the creation of AdVnt’s soon to be released ‘In Home Mold Detection Kit’, the rapid and early detection and elimination can begin long before the spores have a chance to proliferate. Using a simple Hand Held Assay, and a small sample from a suspected area, a person can determine in 10 minutes or less weather or not immediate remediation action will need to be taken. No special unit will need to be called out to the house, no samples will need to be sent to the lab, the simple easy to follow instructions will allow for a quick private assessment of the situation before one phone call needs to made.

To opt in for AdVnt Biotechnologies product updates & notifications follow this link… http://eepurl.com/gYvBv