Friday, May 25, 2012

Recent Conversation with Kelly Roofing

I have seen where pressure cleaning companies are stating that algae/mildew grows through the tiles, I assume broken, and invade/damage the underlayment. Do you feel this is true? We have never seen that.
 [Ken Kelly]  We have noticed that happen, but usually in valley, dead valley or gable end areas were a lot of water sits.  NO!  In no way does it damage the underlayment or any other part of the roof.
Also, do you feel harsh chemicals reduce the life of the underlayment? 
[Ken Kelly]  Yes, absolutely.  Asphalt, or oil, is naturally broken down with any type of harsh chemicals.  The worst damage caused is from chlorine on metal.  Chlorine will rapidly rust out the metal.  Don’t believe me?   Just look at any pool maintenance company’s truck and you’ll see proof.  Metal flashings are vital to the waterproofing of any roof.  They are also the most susceptible areas for leaks. 
Final question. Do you feel that a tile roof with algae on it can make your home "sick", and create or effect  allergies? 
[Ken Kelly]  This is a tough one.  The answer is yes and no.  If a person is allergic to mold, pollen, algae, etc, then yes they are more susceptible to being sick from a home/roof that is full of Algae.  Others have no adverse reaction at all.  Depends on the person really.  However, what studies have shown is that repeated exposure to allergens can heighten the body’s sensitivity to such irritants, causing an allergic reaction.  I’ll ask the doc to give a more clinical answer to this.  Hang tight…  
www.kellyroofing.com


The CDC also gives a list of multiples references from different organizations http://www.cdc.gov/mold/links.htm
I put together a quick summary with corresponding references. Let me know if you need more or different.
Adverse respiratory health effects are associated with occupancy in buildings with moisture and mold damage.[24] Asthma can be aggravated or even induced with exposure to certain fungal species and some fungi cause skin infections such as athletes foot or ring worm. Health problems associated with high levels of airborne mold spores include[2] allergic reactions, asthma episodes, irritations of the eye, nose and throat, sinus congestion, and other respiratory problems. For example, residents of homes with mold are at an elevated risk for both respiratory infections and bronchitis.[3] When mold spores are inhaled by an immunocompromised individual, some mold spores may begin to grow on living tissue,[4] attaching to cells along the respiratory tract and causing further problems.[5][6] Also, mold may produce mycotoxins, either before or after exposure to humans, potentially causing toxicity.
The most common form of hypersensitivity is caused by the direct exposure to inhaled mold spores that can be dead or alive or hyphal fragments which can lead to allergic asthma or allergic rhinitis.[12] The most common effects are rhinorrhea (runny nose), watery eyes, coughing and asthma attacks. Another form of hypersensitivity is hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Exposure can occur at home, at work or in other settings. [13][12] It is predicted that about 5% of people have some airway symptoms due to allergic reactions to molds in their lifetimes.[14]
24. ^ Krieger J, Jacobs D, Ashley P, Baeder A, Chew G, and Dearborn D, “Housing interventions and control of asthma-related indoor biologic agents: a review of the evidence.” Journal of public health management and practice, 2010, Vol. 16, Issue 5, p. S11-S20.
    1. ^ "Mold: A Health Hazard (Release #1605-096)". FEMA. November 8, 2005. http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=20379. Retrieved 25 September 2007. 
    2. ^ Fisk, W., Eliseeva, E., & Mendell M. (2010). "Association of residential dampness and mold with respiratory tract infections and bronchitis: a meta-analysis." Environmental Health 9(72).
    3. ^ Muller F, Seidler M , “Characteristics of pathogenic fungi and antifungal therapy in cystic fibrosis.” Expert review of anti-infective therapy, 2010, Vol. 8, Issue 8, p. 957-964.
    4. ^ Simicic S, Matos T, “Microbiological diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.” Zdravnisji vestnik-slovanian medical journal. 2010, Vol. 79, Issue 10, p. 716-725.
    5. ^ Erol S , Nosocomial aspergillosis: epidemiology and control.” Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni, 2010, Vol. 44, Issue 2, p. 323-338
  1. ^ a b Indian Health Service: Bemidji Area Office of Environmental Health and Engineering Environmental Health Services Section “Guideline on the Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments”
  2. ^ http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/hp/hp_summary.html
  3. ^ Hardin, B. D.; Kelman, B. J.; Saxon, A. (2003). "Adverse human health effects associated with molds in the indoor environment". Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 45 (5): 470–478. PMID 12762072.  edit

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