Mold has saved millions of Lives

Mold is responsible for saving millions of lives but the cry from some attorneys is Mold is Gold.

Scottish bacteriologist Alexander Fleming (1881-1955) discovered penicillin by accident in 1928. While conducting research using several petri dishes of bacteria cultures, he accidentally left one of the cultures uncovered for several days. Fleming found the dish contaminated with a mold. He was about to discard the culture when he noticed that the mold was dissolving all the bacteria near it.

Fleming recognized the importance of what was happening. He put a sample of the mold under his microscope and tested it against several types of bacteria. Fleming found that something in the mold stopped or slowed the growth of the bacteria. Because the mold was from the genus Penicillium, Fleming named the part of the mold that attacked bacteria "penicillin." He was unable to separate the penicillin from the mold, however.

Penicillin is used to treat any number of infections, including syphilis, meningitis, and pneumonia. Penicillin has reduced the threat of bacterial infections. The capability to treat potentially life-threatening infections has permitted the development of surgical operations, organ transplants, and open heart surgery. It has also vastly improved the treatment of burns.

Because the discovery and development of penicillin is rightly regarded as one of the greatest achievements in medical history, many of the scientists who worked on it have been highly honored. Fleming, Florey, and Chain shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in medicine for the development of penicillin. For their work with penicillin as well as other research, Hodgkin and Woodward also received the Nobel Prize, in 1964 and 1965, respectively.

Since Mold can be Gold - here is how to avoid Mold. 

Avoidance

Remember, Water is the culprit!

* Be sure to repair plumbing leaks immediately kills airborne mold.

* Keep rain gutters clean and operable

* If you insulate your basement, do not use fiberglass or cellulose on the walls, use rigid semi-permeable insulation

* Use a ventilator for your bathroom or kitchen that is piped to the outside, not into the attic

* Do not store boxes or clothes too close to an outside wall (especially in cold climates)

* For those who have allergies or are sensitive consider an air purifcation device that