Live Help

NEWS

Protecting Yourself Against Unlicensed Contractors in Florida

Each year homeowners and businessmen lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the mental stress, to uncertified (unlicensed) contractors and craftsmen posing as contractors. The new mold licensing law will help prevent the kind of fraud that has plagued the construction industry. Those who are currently working have an opportunity to “grandfather in” [...]

Letter from the Editor on Chinese Drywall Training

“We have been studying the Contaminated Drywall issue (formally referred to as ‘Chinese Drywall’, ‘Defective Drywall’, ‘Imported Drywall’ and ‘Corrosive Drywall’) for nearly two years. Our team of expert researchers, engineers, construction professionals, microbiologists and remediation specialists started in the summer of 2008 when clients first called NORMI looking for solutions. There has been a [...]

CHINESE DRYWALL LITIGATION

June 24, 2010 In the last few weeks judges in Louisiana and Florida are adjudicating drywall cases and finding in favor of the plaintiffs. What this means to the industry could be significant, of course, but what it means to the plaintiff is, in our opinion, more significant—BECAUSE there is no contractor who can do [...]

Corrosive Chinese Drywall Insurance

One of the most interesting things about the Corrosive Chinese Drywall problems is the lack of professionals who are able to actually work on the projects. Many insurance companies are sending letters to their insured contractors EXCLUDING any work on this drywall. What does that mean to the homeowner or property owner who wants to [...]

New Florida Mold Law Provides Grandfather Clause

March 26, 2010 Abita Springs, LA Governor Charlie Crist of Florida signed HB0713 on Wednesday evening, March 25, 2010 at 6:43pm providing for those currently working in the mold industry to be licensed under a “grandfather clause” option thus waiving the standard licensing requirements. When Florida’s new Mold Licensing Law goes into effect on July [...]

Challenging the NORMI Proctored Examinations

NORMI, the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors has introduced the first of its kind, proctored interview exam for those interested in becoming certified as a Mold Assessor (CMA) or Mold Remediator (CMR). Managed by the NORMI Standards and Compliance Division, the two-part examination/interview process now guarantees that the applicant has a clear understanding [...]

News Archives

A portion of our proceeds support Special Olympics of Louisiana

NORMI
22174 Prats Rd.
Abita Springs, LA 70420

877.251.2296
Fax 866.211.4324

Biological Pollutants

What are they?

Biological pollutants include bacteria, viruses, fungi, pollen, dust mites and other insects, animal dander (tiny scales from hair, feathers or skin) and molds and mildew. They can travel through the air and are often invisible. They are usually inhaled, either alone or by attaching themselves to particles of dust and then entering the respiratory system.

What do they do?

Some biological contaminants trigger allergic reactions, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, allergic rhinitis, and some types of asthma. Infectious diseases, such as influenza, measles, and chicken pox are transmitted through the air. Molds and mildew release disease-causing toxins. Symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants include sneezing, watery-eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, fever, and digestive problems.

What you can do about them.

Control the humidity. Biological pollutants thrive in damp, warm environments. A relative humidity of 30-50 percent is recommended for homes. If you use a cool mist or ultra sonic humidifier clean it daily and only use distilled water.
Keep air conditioner filters clean and change them often.
If possible install exhaust fans that are vented outside in your kitchen and bathrooms. Clothes dryers should also be vented outside.
Use synthetic bedding and wash it once a week in hot water.
Buy an air purifier. It removes and destroys biological pollutants, including microorganisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, viruses, molds, fungi, dust mites, and allergens.