Toxic Mold or Just Allergies - or Other Explanation? (allergy, pain, cold) - City-Data Forum

WorkinThruIt · 11-30-2012, 04:21 AM

I lived in an apartment for 3 weeks and got symptoms that seem to point to toxic mold exposure. I moved into a new place 2 weeks ago and believe I transported a sickly-sweet, cloying smell on all my belongings, car and body and can't get rid of it unless I bleach clothes etc.

Bathroom in the old apartment had a disgusting smell that I can only describe as "years of bodies using it and not cleaning it." The bldg is 100 years old and was poorly kept up and landlord was not a responsive guy and did not even clean it as promised before I moved in. Bldg is not insulated and is very hot (heat is controlled by LL.)

I would lie on the couch up against the living room/bathroom wall and start wheezing within minutes. I have some asthma but there was a difference. There was also another "grey" smell in apt besides the sweet smell I've described. I'd sit in living room and got the famous "stuffed nose" (not really like a cold although there was a runny nose at first, this was more like my nose was just stuffed with something - probably spores. I had headaches and sore throat.

When the storm came the roof leaked in the hall closet next to bathroom and I noticed it had been patched up many times before (and not well and I don't know what with.) There was buckling on that part of the ceiling.

Some symptoms have gotten better since I left but others have begun. I have severe lower leg pain on my left calf when I walk. I am dizzy a lot, esp when driving in car. I have thrown out a lot of organically made things (paper, leather, porous furniture) and have done and am doing HEPA vaccumming and anti-microbial cleaning. I think I still cross-contaminate from car to house and bed anyway. Seems the belongings I have cleaned need to be cleaned again, the smell is coming back. I don't want to ruin this new house. My hair and skin reek of this sweet smell when i get home and I run down cellar, strip, throw clothes into washing machine, shower and change - and wake up with the awful odor in my bed.

I can't get any of my doctors to lift a finger to help me figure out what it is. Last year I happened to have RAST testing on arm and only showed a slight allergy to cats.

Could this be me aging into allergies to something else in new environments? Perhaps ceiling paint or something else that was in the apt? But then why is it that when cold air blasts into my car window it seems like spores uncling themselves and all come up into the air? When the sweet smell hits cold, it has a sudden different more shocking smell.

I'm ready to throw out everything including my car and start over, but before I do that I want to ask if it sounds like it could be something else. I know you're not doctors but any instinctive help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

I'm in Boston.
Thanks folks.

Hanyt · 12-08-2012, 08:42 AM

Did you have all these symptoms before moving into your new apartment? If not, then there is a likelihood that you may be allergic to the environment ie the mold, the building materials, paints etc. Moderator cut: need at least 10 other posts to make specific recommendations

OhZone · 12-13-2012, 06:01 PM

I think you should have some of your "smelly" belongings chemically/biologically analyzed.
Tell them your problem. Your body is reacting to something that got into your stuff at the old apartment. That is not to say that the new one doesn't have something also.

I do not think that this is something for your M.D. Unless it's Dr. House. (lol)

WorkinThruIt · 12-13-2012, 07:53 PM

I would love nothing more than to believe it isn't what I know it is, believe me.
There's way too much proof that it's plain old indoor toxic mold (probably blue or grey) Grey mold gives off sweet VOCs. At least that's what the remediator who came in and smelled this bathroom said.

I spent the day in my rent-a-car which I have infected as well. Right now I am passing gas and the smell is in my gas. It is also there when I go #2. I just washed it off my face but it's in my hair still.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OhZone

I think you should have some of your "smelly" belongings chemically/biologically analyzed.
Tell them your problem. Your body is reacting to something that got into your stuff at the old apartment. That is not to say that the new one doesn't have something also.

I do not think that this is something for your M.D. Unless it's Dr. House. (lol)

dizzybint · 12-18-2012, 12:44 AM

let me know if you need more help, as Ive had this for many years now...

WorkinThruIt · 12-18-2012, 06:07 AM

LL paid a certified specialist come in and test. I have been kept in the dark and LL & tester will not allow me to ask questions about the results which were partially sent to me. Lab is not allowed legally to talk to me and I have a lot of questions when I compare it to other lab results I've seen on the web last night.

Tester seemed strange and was looking to prove there was NO mold. Got too personal and seemed to want to know who was who, personalities, kept saying I would probably have to find another place to live, etc. Weird guy. They guy's website says he "saves property owners thousands of unecessary dollars in unecessary remediation costs."
LL claims the City highly recommends this specialist but I don't believe cities and states are legally allowed to do make those kinds of suggestions.

Test results showed what I figured - penicillium and aspergillus but numbers seemed low although in winter outside numbers should be lower than indoor. Numbers also did not total to 100% in any category, much lower like 25%, lots of blanks on test, I have many questions. Also, only one wall was tested and only between 2 joists. Nothing in shower or under floor tiles was done. I also did not get to see WHERE in bathroom indoor air test was done (could have been in a cabinet for all I know.)

LL sent email saying everything looks real good and is suddenly very eager to come in and replace old shower knobs and replace wallpaper in bathroom. The whole thing reeks of dishonesty to me and band-aids don't work. I'm always stunned that people think others are stupid enough to fall for this type of thing.

Disgusting odor continues to eminate from bathroom into the rest of the house. I have adjacent room closed off. I brush my teeth at the kitchen sink and only use bath for showering and toilet. I would not be living like that if I did not know instinctively there was a problem.

I want to call my own certified person in here and have them test in a way that can find where the mold is (it's so frikking obvious it's there and why and where.) Do I need LL's permission first?

Diannparker · 07-28-2018, 05:15 AM

I have the same problem in my home. Same sweet smell on everything.smell crosses over to everything you come in contact with.

Mr. Lee · 07-28-2018, 06:13 AM

Places like homedepot sell mold and quality of air tests.

Lisa62 · 07-28-2018, 02:50 PM

I know this is an old thread but was wondering if there was any conclusion to this problem. My aunt is experiencing the same issue in her home and the same symptoms personally as the original poster. It has been 7 months and no one has been able to help her.

Parnassia · 07-29-2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisa62

I know this is an old thread but was wondering if there was any conclusion to this problem. My aunt is experiencing the same issue in her home and the same symptoms personally as the original poster. It has been 7 months and no one has been able to help her.

Everyone's situation is going to be different. As suggested in the thread, buy some mold or air quality kits and do some testing in the home. Also your aunt should get some allergy testing done for herself. Without knowing what SHE'S sensitive to it would be a WAG (wild-ass guess).