With all of the media exposure about toxic black mold on the news, in the papers and on the radio the last year or so, what are we supposed to think and what should our next move be to protect ourselves and our families?

What do we believe? Who do we believe? What's our next move?

Mold has been around since the beginning of time, Right?

Suddenly we see schools shutting down, our neighbors being forced out of their homes and businesses for months on end, many never able to return to them at all.

Home owners insurance companies are running scared in the wake of multi-million dollar lawsuits and thousands of mold related claims.

Doctors and government agencies are at odds over health concerns and the effects of toxic mold, long and short term.

And in the middle of these catastrophes, time and time again, is toxic mold. It's got names like Stachybotrys, Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladisporium, and Trichoderma. Names that many of us can't even pronounce, much less identify in our surroundings. The mold spores and mycotoxins sprayed into the air by these molds attempting to survive, are so small that they can't be seen with the naked eye, and hundreds of thousands of them can fit onto a single postage stamp.

So, once again, what to do next?

This site was created to educate, but we definately have our opinions. And remember, these are just that. Our opinions. Here are but a few of them.

1. Take this threat seriously.- We have come into contact with regular everyday people who are seriously sick. Not just a runny nose here and there, but some illnesses that will make your skin crawl to learn more about them. Some afflicted with mold related illnesses are dead or dying. Plain and simple.

2. If you see mold in your home, get it tested any way you can. You can use our sources or simply go to a search engine such as MSN.com or Yahoo.com and do a search for Mold analysis + Laboratories + your home town to locate a lab near you. Or get hold of a remediation company A.S.A.P. Anything, but get it tested. NOW.

A few good labs we have found are:

3. If you have a family member with an unexplained illness, respiratory irritation, rash etc. when they are at home, that seems to get better when they are away from home or when they get some fresh air. Get your home tested.

4. If you know that you are exposed to Toxic Mold in your home, " Get Out" until you can have it professionally tested. Contact your insurance company if applicable and get the sources of growth eliminated as quickly as possible.

*** Common causes of mold growth are moisture leaks or intrusions of any type in your home or business. Anything producing moist conditions in a dark area will promote mold growth. Eliminate these areas. Fix the problems immediately. You can not eliminate mold until the conditions promoting it's growth are gone.

The most important thing is that you don't disregard it all as hype. As much as we wish it away, it's here, it's for real and it can be deadly.

-Jimmy