The Scandal of Sheetrock
In the book of Leviticus, chapter 14, there is a reference to “leprous diseases” in a house. “If the disease is in the walls of the house with greenish or reddish spots, and if it appears to be deeper than the surface, … it is unclean”. This could be an reference to a mold infection. The admonition is to remove the affected area, and if it comes back, the house should be destroyed.
Sheetrock is considered an ideal building material because it’s inexpensive and looks good (in someones opinion. Not mine). Sheetrock has low VOCs, so it’s mostly free of harmful chemicals when it is produced (without paint).
Downsides:
- Sheetrock can’t be inspected properly. It can hide potential water leaks, and make it difficult to inspect and repair plumbing.
- Absorbs water quickly, releases water slowly. Many modern buildings aren’t well ventilated, and don’t have efficient moisture control systems.
- Sheetrock easily supports fungal growth, at 0.5% by weight. (Wood supports fungal growth at 15% moisture content).
- Paint often contains anti-fungal chemicals. These chemicals make the toxicity of mold far more severe. This is because anti-fungal chemicals selectively eliminate competitive species, reducing the diversity of microorganisms that naturally exist in a healthy environment.
- Anti-fungal agents have been shown to make mold more dangerous, because it triggers protection mechanisms in the organism, causing it to release more pathogenic toxins.
There are many genera of fungi, but
Pulmonary hemorrhage and hemosiderosis can be caused by Stachybotrys. The N.Y.C. Department of Health guidelines states that if mold is visible, it should be removed. (Claims magazine, August, 2000 http://www.claimsmag.com/Issues/aug00/mold.asp )