Michael Rubino, an expert on the topic of mold, joins Dhru Purohit to discuss the increasing prevalence of mold in homes. They cover the dangers of mold, its correlation with autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, and the top three actions to protect ourselves. They also talk about testing and removing mold from homes and the challenges in getting help with toxic mold exposure.
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Quick takeaways
Mold prevalence in homes is alarmingly increasing, leading to detrimental effects on individuals with autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases.
HVAC systems, basements, crawl spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms are common areas for mold growth due to factors like leaks, humidity, and lack of ventilation.
Regular cleaning, ventilation, and prompt water damage addressing are crucial for mold prevention, and the removal of porous materials may be necessary when mold is found.
The mold remediation industry faces challenges in terms of awareness, regulation, and insurance coverage, highlighting the need for improved practices and regulations to address mold-related problems.
Deep dives
The Prevalence of Mold in Homes
The EPA and HUD conducted the American Healthy Home Survey in 2006 and 2019, showing an alarming increase in mold prevalence in homes.
The Relationship Between Mold and Health Issues
Mold can worsen autoimmune diseases and cause chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. It is also linked to symptoms such as brain fog and chronic fatigue.
Common Sources of Mold in Homes
HVAC systems, basements, crawl spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms are common areas for mold growth due to factors like leaks, humidity, and lack of ventilation.
Taking Action to Protect Your Home
Regular cleaning, opening windows for ventilation, and addressing water damage promptly are essential steps for mold prevention. If mold is found, porous materials like drywall may need to be removed.
Importance of Protective Gear
When handling mold, wearing protective gear, such as masks, is important to prevent inhalation of mold particles and reduce exposure to high concentrations of mold spores.
The Importance of Wearing Protective Gear and Air Filters
It is crucial to wear protective gear, such as masks and Tyvek suits, when remediating mold to prevent cross-contamination and protect oneself. Additionally, having air filters in homes significantly improves air quality by filtering out particles and reducing the risk of respiratory problems. The type of filter used, like HEPA filters, can make a difference in effectively removing small particles. It is important to focus on removing mold physically rather than trying to destroy it, as the impact of smaller fragments on human health is not well understood.
Challenges in the Mold Remediation Industry
The mold remediation industry faces challenges and shortcomings in terms of awareness and practices. There is a lack of regulation and awareness among contractors, leading to ineffective remediation and the spread of mold-related health issues. Insurance companies often put caps on mold coverage, leaving homeowners with insufficient coverage for proper remediation. Furthermore, the health insurance industry does not fully recognize mold toxicity as a diagnosable condition, leading to limited coverage for treatments and medications. These issues highlight the need for improved regulations, awareness, and coverage to address mold-related problems.
Other Factors associated with Mold and Importance of Lifestyle Changes
Besides mold, other factors like actinobacteria can significantly impact indoor air quality. Actinobacteria and mold often coexist, and their growth can be found in water-damaged areas. Taking off shoes at the front door and ensuring clean drain lines can reduce the introduction of actinobacteria and other contaminants into the home. In addition to improving environmental conditions, adopting healthy lifestyle habits like eating a clean diet, exercising, and promoting detoxification through saunas and good sleep can help support the body's natural detoxification systems and enhance overall health.
Over seventy percent of homes in the United States have a species of mold present, and this trend is only expected to rise. This statistic becomes even more alarming when we consider that mold can affect individuals with autoimmune conditions and neurodegenerative diseases and lead to chronic inflammation, fatigue, and brain fog. Today's guest is here to dive deep into the topic of mold, educate us, and ultimately empower us to take action to keep ourselves and our families safe.
Today, on The Dhru Purohit Show, Dhru sits down with Michael Rubino to discuss the increasing prevalence of mold in our homes and the reasons behind it. Michael highlights the four most toxic mold species, what should raise concern for us, and the top three actions we can take to protect ourselves. He also reveals the results of Dhru's Dust Test and guides us through methods of removing mold from our homes.
Michael Rubino is the Founder of HomeCleanse, President of the Change the Air Foundation, and Host of the Never Been Sicker podcast. As a council-certified Mold Remediator, he specializes in helping immunocompromised individuals with mold exposure reactions. His upcoming book, set for release in 2024, serves as a comprehensive guide to mold remediation, reflecting his dedication to improving global indoor air quality.
In this episode, Dhru and Michael dive into (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):
Mold is the number one toxin in the home (2:33 / 2:33)
What is the source of mold that most people are dealing with (6:31 / 6:31)
Memorable client testimonials (11:51 / 10:44 )
When there is a cause for concern and what to look for (17:00 / 16:00)
The four most toxic molds (18:56 / 17:36)
How mold damages our body through self-preservation (22:20 / 20:46)
Why some people are more impacted by mold than others (24:57 / 23:38)
How do you know if you have mold in your home (26:48 / 25:59)
How the Dust Test works and Dhru’s test results (31:49 / 32:38)
Top three actions you can immediately take to protect yourself (42:45 / 39:48)
The top sources of water damage in homes (35:30 / 42:30)
How to remove mold (49:07 / 46:23 )
How Michael started his journey (58:15 / 55:23)
Bacteria and their impact on your health (1:15:40 / 1:12:50)
Naturally detoxing your body and simple actions you can take (1:22:00 / 1:19:10)
