Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) Mold and Actinomycetes Protocol and Ongoing Cleaning

In this article, we take a deep dive into the impact of mold, actinobacteria, and biotoxins (endo- and exotoxins) from indoor exposures, focusing on evaluating and remedying your living environments. To assess the body for mold or biotoxin exposure, you’ll need the knowledge, support, and guidance of a functional-minded practitioner experienced with biotoxin illness, which is essential for a proper protocol and diagnosis. In addition to assessing the body, evaluating our clients’ living environments for potential exposures to mold, biotoxins, endotoxins, and more is vital. This holistic approach enables us to tailor bio-individual protocols to address our client’s needs. When addressing mold or biotoxin-related illness and CIRS, it’s imperative to follow essential steps to test, assess, and address the body and the environments in which we live. The first step in managing biotoxin illness and CIRS is removing exposure, and this cannot be emphasized enough.

Assess the Environment for Exposures

The components that make up a biochemical stew in water-damaged buildings are much more than mold. Other significant contributors are Fungi, bacteria, mycotoxins, endotoxins, Beta glucans, volatile organic compounds, and many more. These can create a toxic soup of entities that set off innate immunity. In order to understand what potential exposure you are encountering it is important to understand the history of the buildings you spend your time in, be that your home or office. For example, just as a provider needs to know patient’s medical history and health background before providing treatments to offer the most effective care, comprehending a building’s history is crucial for making informed decisions about remedation, maintenance and preservation. 

We recommend testing your home and office environment with a multipronged approach. Ideally, the environment is checked with dust and air samples completed by a trusted Laboratory such as Envirobbiomnics and Air Answers or by a qualified Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) inspector. 

Tests such as The Health Effects Roster of Type Specific Formers of Mycotoxins and Inflammagens (HERTSMI-2) are cost-effective results of the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI). We recommend testing panel  #31 from EnviroBiomics for an environmental assessment. This test panel is assessing the enviroment for much more than mold, it is also looking for actinomycetes, endotoxins and beta glucans. The collection processes with  Swiffer cloths emphasize dust collection, which gives a quantitative-based exposure. 

In addition to dust testing, we recommend air testing that matches the dust analysis. Choosing a test that can capture ultrafine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and lead to numerous health conditions such as CIRS, respiratory illnesses, allergies, and asthma is essential. We recommend getting air testing from Air Answers, an air monitoring system that provides information about the presence of airborne Actinos, Beta glucans, endotoxins, mycotoxins, and molds in your indoor environment.

How do you know if remediation is necessary?

Suppose the environment test results reveal that your home or office contains mold spores, endotoxins, actinobacteria, or beta-glucans. In that case, it is the source, and effective remediation is critical. 

Working with a trusted IEP may be necessary to discuss the findings of environmental testing results, determine the severity of the situation, and discuss remediation options if needed. There are situations where proper rigorous deep cleaning is required, and temporarily removing yourself from the environment is necessary. 

We understand mold remediation is emotionally and financially difficult and can take a toll on homeowners. The thought of uprooting your life can seem like a nightmare. However, it is important to have a flexible timeline. Mold remediation often requires a flexible timeline, as unexpected issues may delay the process. 

If mold is not the issue and it is Actinomycete or Beta Glucans, remediation and clean-up are often much more easier than mold remediation.  

Eliminating and removing yourself from the source(s) or exposures is a crucial first step in allowing your body to begin to heal. Remember, you cannot get well in an environment that makes you ill. Removing yourself from an environment that has allowed illness to set in is essential for the body to heal. 

After remediation: Essential steps for thorough mold and actinomycetes deep cleaning and upkeep

When dealing with mold and other biotoxin clean-up, following the appropriate steps to ensure effective cleaning and address the underlying causes of mold growth is essential. Once your home passes post-clearance testing and it’s confirmed that the remediation is successful, there is a list of things for you to complete to optimize the safety of your environment.

Post-remediation, you’ll want to complete the initial mold and/or Actinomycetes deep clean before regular weekly ongoing cleaning and maintenance. 

Step 1: Reduce dust

• Declutter your home to reduce spaces for dust to collect
• Dust all surfaces in your home using a microfiber cloth, from top to bottom.

Step 2: Vacuum with a  HEPA vacuum cleaner

• Utilize a proper HEPA vacuum cleaner to eliminate mold spores, ensuring that regular vacuums do not release mold spores back into the air.
• Slowly vacuum all surfaces with a HEPA vacuum cleaner, including floors, walls, ceilings, sofas, mattresses, and other furniture.
• Vacuum twice, ensuring you are vacuuming from different angles. 
• Empty your vacuum cleaner outside.

Step 3: Make your Actinos and Mold Cleaning Solution 

Using harsh chemicals like bleach is not ideal for health and is not recommended.  Instead of harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, consider using Borax, also known as sodium borate, as a natural solution for cleaning mold. Borax is effective against mold as it creates an inhospitable environment for growth. Other natural cleaning methods include distilled water, natural soaps, and vinegar, which can effectively reduce mold and Actinomycetes levels.

 

Step 4: clean hard surfaces

• Mop floors: Mop with microfiber or electrostatic cloths and your preferred Actinos and Mold Cleaning Solution
• Damp-wipe all hard surfaces, including walls, ceilings, furniture, and toilets, with disposable microfiber cloths and your chosen Actinomycetes and Mold Cleaning Solution.
• Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove excess moisture. 
• Launder the microfiber cloths using a hot wash cycle for reuse.

Step 5: Dry-wipe all hard surfaces

• This includs walls, ceilings, and furniture, with disposable electrostatic cloths such as Swiffer.

Ongoing Cleaning and Maintenance to Ensure a Safe and Healthy Environment

Weekly:

• Drains :
  • Clean your garbage disposal and other drains using baking soda and white vinegar.
  • Consider using Green Gobler enzyme cleaner for drains that do not get used often. 
• Kitchen:
  • Clean kitchen scrubbers and sponges by boiling them with water and a splash of white vinegar weekly and allowing them to dry thoroughly between uses.
  • Remove spoiled food items and wipe down the interior shelves of your fridge weekly.
  • Clean your dishwasher filter with soap and water and wipe down the seal.
• Laundry
  • Wash laundry, including bed sheets, towels, and clothing, weekly. If clothing is damp from water or sweat, wash it immediately. 
  • Don’t allow laundry to sit in the washer while it’s damp. Dry laundry immediately after washing.
  • Keep the washing machine door open after use to allow it to dry thoroughly.

Seasonally: 

• Inspect your furnace, air conditioning units, attic, and crawl space, and change your HVAC filters regularly. Check your windows and doors to ensure they are adequately sealed and not leaking. Look for any signs of moisture damage on your flooring, and consider scheduling occasional inspections and cleaning of your ductwork.
• Keep an eye on your plumbing fixtures, such as toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines, to catch and fix any leaks early. Regularly check the grout and sealing around bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
• Ensure that any moisture-eliminating fans are functioning correctly.
• Finally, inspect your roof regularly and ensure all penetrations are well sealed. Check the overall condition of your roof, including flashing and skylights, and ensure that your fascia and roof overhang materials are in good shape.

Clean up your air 

It’s a little-known fact that most indoor air is worse than outside pollution. Even if your home and office pass the mold inspection, many other indoor air contaminants are worth worrying about, including volatile organic compounds, gram-negative and positive bacteria, glucans, endotoxins, microbial particulates, non-microbial volatile organic compounds, and volatile organic compounds. One of the best things you can do for yourself (and your family) is invest in a high-quality air filter. Our recommended air filter is Air Oasis Iadapt.

Actinomycetes can compete with good bacteria in the body and our environment. If Actinomycetes have been found in your home testing, finding ways to reintroduce good bacteria after removing Actinomycetes from the environment is essential. Homebiotic air spray is a great product designed to restore the microbiome in the home.

Other air purification options include EZ Safer Air and essential oils such as doTERRAs Air X, Purify, and On Guard.

Summary

In conclusion, assessing indoor environments for exposure to mold, actinomycetes, and biotoxins is crucial for maintaining a healthy living space. Testing the environment with dust and air samples and working with trusted professionals can help identify the presence of these harmful elements. If remediation is necessary, taking essential steps for thorough cleaning and ongoing maintenance is vital for creating a safe and healthy environment. Remember, prioritizing removing sources of exposure is the first step toward allowing your body to heal and thrive.

 

Resources:

https://www.envirobiomics.com/resources/?v=3e8d115eb4b3

https://www.nutritionwithjudy.com/exploring-shoemaker-actinos-recommendations-our-stance-on-the-current-actinos-cleaning-and-hygiene-protocol