Week of May 22, 2023
1/ Dehumidifier smells
QUESTION: I live in the Pacific Northwest and have installed a dehumidifier in an effort to reduce the elevated relative humidity in our home. Shortly after using a dehumidifier we noted a musty smell that persisted despite use of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar to clean coils, filter and water collection pan.
ANSWER: I agree that ongoing use of a dehumidifier with problems like this is of more harm than benefit. It is quite possible that the drainage pan will need to be vented to a drain and not let stand for prolong periods of time. I would also look at the likelihood of ongoing water intrusion as opposed to the ambient humidity as the source of your problem. Lastly, the most effective cleaning agent for cleaning non-porous surfaces are quaternary ammonium compounds found in cleaners such as Fantastic and 409.
2/ Air conditioners, window
QUESTION: Are window air conditioners safe to use?
ANSWER: The air conditioning devices that we used to see in countless homes in the summer are becoming a thing of the past with wider use of central air conditioning. For those people still using portable units there will predictably be a significant amount of condensation created as the air conditioner dehumidifies and cools ambient air. As long as that moisture is vented to the outside there will be no adverse effects on microbial populations indoors. I would recommend that a portable air conditioner be cleaned thoroughly before beginning use.
3/ QUESTION: Can you tell me any more about what criteria are used to determine when a patient can stop taking cholestyramine?
ANSWER: Continue taking CSM until VCS test is normal. Without knowing the details on the labs in your case, it is impossible to tell you how long it will take to clear. When there is no exposure, patients can be on it for at least one month.
4/ QUESTION: We have mold in our basement crawl space. Should we use a product containing hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid?
ANSWER: Treatment of basement and crawl spaces demand removal of fragments of microbes as these fragments account for 99.8% of illness. Simply spraying some liquid does nothing to remove fragments.
A good place to start for safe remediation processes is the Consensus Statement for Remediation on the Surviving Mold site.
5/ QUESTION: I was wondering if there are any resources on SM on interpreting results from urine metabolites testing for mold toxicity.
ANSWER: There is no interpretation for urine analysis as Dr. Shoemaker does not use that in his protocol nor does he support urine testing. There is no proven data.
6/ QUESTION: How should cholestyramine schedule and dose vary for a person without a gallbladder?
ANSWER: CSM is taken 4 times a day basis as accepted.
