Global Indoor Health Network
Working Together for Healthy Indoor Environments
in our homes, schools and businesses
in our homes, schools and businesses
About Us
The Global Indoor Health Network is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing education and awareness of the health effects of mold and other indoor contaminants.
Our worldwide network of scientists, physicians, researchers, indoor air quality experts, attorneys, teachers, injured workers, advocates and others are working together to promote healthy indoor environments in homes, schools and businesses.
We have united to share our collective knowledge, expertise and life experiences to advance the understanding and awareness of this very important public health issue.
Vision
Our vision is a global community of individuals and organizations working together to ensure that comprehensive information and guidance concerning medical treatment, investigative techniques and solutions are available to address the effects of contaminants in the indoor environment of homes, schools and businesses.
Mission
Our mission is to proactively participate with others in the public and private sector to promote accurate health policy, strive for consistent guidelines, and advance education and awareness to ensure healthy indoor environments for individuals and families around the globe.
Helpful tip: DO
NOT USE BLEACH ON MOLD
Some government agencies and disaster recovery organizations still recommend using bleach on mold, but that advice is not accurate.
From our paper on Diagnosis and Treatment of Illness Caused by Contaminants in Water-Damaged Buildings:
Serious disinformation has been popularized and reflected in the guidelines given healthcare workers and the public encouraging the use of bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and other chlorinated products for cleaning the mold from damp indoor spaces. Biocides, including chlorine bleach, are harmful to humans and pets. Bleach is a strong corrosive material and will irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. It is cytotoxic and genotoxic and has an accumulative effect on the body and can cause damage to organs.
In regard to using bleach on mold, some species propagate via spores that are unaffected by chlorine, acids, caustics or ozone. In addition, chlorinating carbon-based organic toxins increases their toxicity by increasing their mutagenicity and their lipid solubility which allows these poisons to enter the skin and accumulate in lipid rich tissue such as fat deposits and the brain.