Environmental Issue & Sick Building Syndrome Blog

Mold  is a  potentially lethal risk  for organ transplant patients that is largely ignored.  

The residences that patients return home to after their organ transplant are almost never checked for mold. Let's face it. .....transplant patients are usually very sick before the life saving surgery.  Home maintenance, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, and basement issues are not a high priority when the life of a family member is at stake.   Even when these problems are noticed, the money it takes to have repairs is often in very short supply and life and death medical costs come first!

Organ transplant patients have new opportunities for a healthy and full life.  However, the  anti-rejection medication that helps  accept  new organs by lowering the body’s immune system response also creates a very high risk for fungal infections caused by mold exposures.  

Hospitals are on "high alert" to create a "mold free environment". On failure to maintain that environment in UPMC Pittsburgh resulted a temporary shutdown of world class and renowned transplant center. 

The CDC states "Fungal infections may be more common in certain types of transplants. Some experts think that fungal infections may be most common in small bowel transplant patients, followed by lung, liver, and heart transplant patients." 

Mold at very low levels or in hidden areas are a huge risk for patients. Whether it is returning home after an organ transplant or moving into a new or temporary home after the transplant, having a professional familiar with medical grade evaluations for mold are an important part of  successful outcomes.   

For more information on protecting patients from mold after an Organ Transplant, go to our article with many links to supporting information at https://www.envirospect.com/OrganTransplant  




Posted by Dan Howard on April 19th, 2023 10:59 AM

 

Risks for Mold in Your Home

  • Roof leaks
  • Plumbing leaks
  • Leaking basement
  • Finished basements
  • Exposed soil in basements or crawl spaces
  • Energy Star rated homes
  • Interior french drains
  • High humidity homes
  • Oversized air conditioners
  • Basements full of contents that can grow mold
  • Under ventilated attics

 

More Contaminates than Mold can Affect Home Health

            All of the at high risk patient groups mentioned above can be affected by indoor contaminants. These include formaldehyde, chemicals used in hobbies, pesticides, previous drug activity, lead, radon and asbestos.

 

Keeping A Home Healthy When You Have "at Risk" Patients

  • Test a home before bringing an immunosuppressed person into a home
  • Test new homes before purchasing
  • Immediately address any type of water leak
  • Dry out any water leak as soon as possible
  • Monitor humidity in the home
  • Properly ventilate attics
  • Have HVAC equipment properly sized and installed
  • Add air to air exchangers in tight homes
  • Upgrade to sealed interior french drain systems
  • Provide weep holes for brick buildings
  • Keep roof and surface water away for the home

 

            The amazing fact is that most organ transplant patients, and other immunosuppressed patients do not have their homes checked for mold and other contaminants that could be deadly. It is time for that to change.   

Posted by Dan Howard on September 22nd, 2015 1:35 PM

Archives:

Categories:

My Favorite Blogs:

Sites That Link to This Blog: