Mold & Bacteria Continues to Grow in Foreclosed Homes at an Alarming Rate

As an incubator is to mold so is a foreclosed home. An incubator provides the right temperature and humidity control for molds and bacteria to grow at optimum conditions so have foreclosed homes provided the optimum conditions for mold and bacteria to proliferate. Foreclosed homes typically have been shut down with no power, no air conditioning and no humidity control for extended times.  A record 2.8 million properties with a mortgage got a foreclosure notice last year, jumping 21 percent from 2008 and 120 percent from 2007.  Millions of foreclosed homes sit unused for months or years while bureaucracy holds back sales, mold and bacteria are growing at an alarming rate.  More than half of all foreclosed homes in some states are thought to be affected.

“If the amplification of molds and bacteria are elevated in a foreclosed home and the dose relationship acceptable the adverse human health affects can cause injury to and dysfunction of multiple organs and systems including: respiratory, nervous, immune, hematological and skin” stated Dr. Rajiv Sahay, Laboratory Director at Environmental Diagnostics laboratory EDLab a AIHA accredited laboratory in North America.

When a house is occupied, air conditioning, heating, natural ventilation and maintenance keeps mold in check. But when a home is closed up for an extended time, it can creep into drywall and fixtures and cost tens of thousands to remove. Francisco Aguirre, CIAQP, CIEC Director of Building Sciences at Pure Air Control Services sees an “alarming increase in biological amplification in unconditioned foreclosed homes.”  Mr. Aguirre added “our firm has evaluated over 10,000 buildings and/or homes over the past 25 years and we have a very good idea of what is normal background mold for most north American homes that are conditioned, dehumidified and maintained and we are finding microbial contamination anywhere from 50 to 1000 times greater in foreclosed homes.”  Realtors say they're seeing the mold problem in foreclosed homes all across the country.

Realtors don't believe that banks intend to incur thousands of dollars in mold damage just to save on monthly utility bills though the longer the home sits unattended the problem magnifies itself exponentially every day.  Before you buy a home today you should have an professional IAQ/Mold inspection performed.

For additional information on moldy foreclosed homes and what you can do or for a FREE quote to perform a professional IAQ assessment of your facility or home call Alan Wozniak or Dr Rajiv Sahay at 1-800-422-7873 ext 802 or 303 or visit www.pureaircontrols.com.  Do-it-Yourself Mold Screen Check kits are also available at www.indoorairtest.com, Grainger, Sears and other fine outlets or ask for Cy Garner 1-800-422-7873 ext 404.

About Pure Air Control Services:

Founded in 1984 by Alan Wozniak, President/CEO in what began as a small mechanical contracting business has grown into an award winning, industry leading indoor air quality (IAQ) service company serving many fortune 500 corporations, school boards, universities, county, city, state and federal governments and consumers across the US.  The firm has serviced over 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.

Pure Air Control Services nationally performed IAQ services include: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check; an AIHA accredited Environmental Microbiology Laboratory; Environmental Project Management; and Duct Cleaning & Mold Remediation Services, among other indoor environmental services. The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air a reliable industry leader.

For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.pureaircontrols.com or contact Alan Wozniak at 1-800-422-PURE (7873) ext 802.

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