Our team at the Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT) Research Program at UT Health San Antonio wanted to share these important external article:
“My Landlord Said the Marks on My Ceiling Vent Were Candle Smoke. But It Was Mold, and It Destroyed My Health (Exclusive)” from People.
“We decided to hire a third party mold inspector to come out and do a test. On February 28, the results came back with severe levels of toxic mold,” according to Florida resident Hallie Fuchs, as stated in the article. “The swab that the tester took in the vent itself, I actually remember him saying there would have to be a thick caked-up layer of mold for that test to come back that high. All this time, I would just lay in bed and or lay on the couch and try to rest and see if that would make me feel better, but I was actually making it worse because I was literally sitting with an air vent blasting on my face.”
Mold is a big issue for people who suffer from chemical intolerance (CI), said Dr. Claudia Miller, allergist/immunologist, professor emeritus, and leader of the TILT Program at UT Health San Antonio.
To learn more, Miller suggests studying the TILT Program’s TILT Tutorial for Exposed Communities and Individuals, as well as other peer-reviewed publications all of which are available and downloadable free of charge on our UT Health San Antonio website: TILTresearch.org.
How can you find out if you have chemical intolerance?
Answer these three questions from the TILT Program on Chemical Intolerance:
- Do you feel sick when you are exposed to tobacco smoke, certain fragrances, nail polish/remover, engine exhaust, gasoline, air fresheners, pesticides, paint/thinner, fresh tar/asphalt, cleaning supplies, new carpet or furnishings? By sick, we mean: headache, difficulty thinking, difficulty breathing, weakness, dizziness, upset stomach, etc.
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse or allergic reactions to any drugs or medications (such as antibiotics, anesthetics, pain relievers, X-ray contrast dye, vaccines or birth control pills), or to an implant, prosthesis, contraceptive chemical or device, or other medical/surgical/dental material or procedure?
- Are you unable to tolerate or do you have adverse reactions to any foods such as dairy products, wheat, corn, eggs, caffeine, alcoholic beverages, or food additives (e.g., MSG, food dye)?
If you answer YES to any question, take the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) and share the results with your doctor!