Reason for Concern
The Dangers of Mold, Bacteria and Viruses
Mold spores are always in the air ready to colonize upon a surface and grow in mass numbers. It can grow comfortably in temperatures from 0 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. In lower temperatures mold can become dormant - but still survive.Mold
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found a direct link between mold contamination in homes and cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage. At the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, approximately 20 percent of patients with leukemia die of fungal leukemia caused most frequently by the species Aspergillus, one of the most common molds found in homes.- According to the EPA, mold-related indoor air pollution ranks among the top five environmental risks to public health.
- In 1999, the Mayo Clinic concluded that 96% of chronic sinusitis, (sinus infections afflicting 37 million Americans) was caused by fungi like mold and mildew.
- Harvard University researchers have concluded home mold infestation doubles the likelihood of children developing asthma.
- Recent studies also have linked mold to the tripling of the asthma rate over the past 20 years.
Bacteria
Like mold, bacteria are naturally occurring organisms that belong some places and don’t belong others. Harmful bacteria can lead to serious health issues like Staph, E.coli and other infections. Kitchens, bathrooms, sports equipment, toys, textiles and other surfaces can be fertile breeding grounds for harmful bacteria—in fact, if left unchecked on certain surfaces, bacteria levels can double every 20 minutes. While washing hands and surfaces often is the key to keeping bacteria in check, DURABAN™ can be combined during the manufacturing process to safely inhibit the growth of bacteria on product surfaces – keeping them germ-free, stain-free, odor-free and cleaner in between washings. DURABAN’s non-leaching, long-lasting and environmentally safe antimicrobial has proven efficacy against harmful bacteria and viruses including:- INFLUENZA A
- STAPH
- SALMONELLA
- SARS
- HIV B
MRSA - "The Super Bug"
MRSA (Methincillin-resistant Saphylococcus aureus) is a type of staph that is resistant to anitboiotics that causes boils and can cause a "flesh-eating" wound. It can be spread by skin-to-skin contact or by sharing an item used by an infected person, particularly one with a cut or abrasion. The majority of MRSA infections occur in health care settings such as hospitals and nursing homes; however, it is becoming more common in other community settings like schools and gyms.A stunning report by CDC researchers published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that says MRSA infections ultimately could kill more people annually than AIDS. The report says the deadly strain killed nearly 19,000 Americans in 2005 and suggests such infections may be twice as common as previously thought, according to its lead author, Dr. R. Monina Klevens.
- 85% of the most serious cases occur in health care facilities
- In recent years, MRSR infections have been spreading through schools, hospitals, prisons and athletic facilities
- 2007: Ashton Bonds, 17, of Bedford, Va., died as a result of the infection. Preschooler Catherine Bentley of Salisbury, N.H., and Shae Kiernan, 11, of Vancleave, Miss., both succumbed to the infection.
