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Why Mold Exposure Can Make You Sensitive to Everything (And What That Actually Means)

Many people notice heightened sensitivity to light, sound, smells, chemicals, or stress after mold exposure — and it can feel like the world suddenly became overwhelming. This article explains why that happens, how mold can affect the nervous and immune systems, what science helps us understand, and why increased sensitivity doesn’t mean everything around you is toxic.

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dust or mold

Is It Mold or Just Dust? How I Learned to Tell the Difference Before It Got Worse

When I first started seeing mysterious spots and smudges around my home, I kept telling myself it was “just dust” or “probably nothing.” It took getting sick – and watching my kids change in ways I couldn’t explain – before I finally learned how to tell the difference between harmless dust, surface dirt, and early mold growth. In this post I walk you through the simple checks I wish someone had taught me sooner, so you don’t talk yourself out of a real problem the way I did.

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mold clean how to the right way clean mold in house

How to Clean Mold the Right Way (And the Wrong Ways That Made Me Sicker)

When I first tried cleaning mold in my home, I had no idea how many of the “normal” methods were actually making me sicker. Bleach, scrubbing, fogging—every shortcut failed because I didn’t understand the real root of the problem. In this article, I share what finally worked, what absolutely didn’t, and the simple, safe method I now use to clean mold without spreading it or triggering symptoms. If you’ve been cleaning mold the hard way, you’re not alone—this is the guide I wish I had years ago.

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"Why Your Home’s “New Construction Smell” Might Be Making You Sick — And What I Wish I Had Known Before Building Mine"

Why Your Home’s “New Construction Smell” Might Be Making You Sick — And What I Wish I Had Known Before Building Mine

I can still remember the first night in my newly built home — the one I poured my heart, savings, and imagination into. Everyone talks about the joy of walking into a freshly finished space, but nobody talks about the smell. That oddly sweet, plasticky, “new house smell” everyone seems to admire. I didn’t admire

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Mold growing under window of newly built house. toxic black mold

Why So Many People Feel Sick in New Homes: The Hidden Crisis No One Warned Me About

By Ava Hartwell, IndoorAirInsights.com I still remember the day I walked into my “dream home.” Fresh paint. New appliances. That intoxicating smell of newness that builders love to sell you on. I didn’t know then that the very walls I was admiring were already harboring the thing that would nearly take me apart — physically,

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Ava Heartwell mold recovery and healing from toxic mold and mold exposure tips and lived experience

Understanding Indoor Air Quality: A Comprehensive Guide to Healthier Indoor Environments

Identifying Indoor Air Quality Issues Understanding indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial for promoting a healthy environment, as various hidden factors can adversely affect it. Mold growth, moisture problems, and inadequate ventilation are among the leading contributors to poor IAQ. Mold thrives in damp areas and can release spores into the air, leading to respiratory

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Ava Heartwell mold recovery and healing from toxic mold and mold exposure tips and lived experience

Decoding Indoor Health: A Practical Guide to Hidden Environmental Risks

Identifying Common Indoor Environmental Threats Indoor environments, whether they are homes, schools, or workplaces, often harbor various hidden environmental risks that can significantly impact health. One of the most prevalent threats is mold, which thrives in damp or humid conditions. Mold can release spores and mycotoxins into the air, potentially causing respiratory issues, allergic reactions,

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Ava Heartwell mold recovery and healing from toxic mold and mold exposure tips and lived experience

Unveiling the Invisible: Insights into Indoor Environmental Factors

The Health Impacts of Indoor Environmental Hazards Indoor environmental hazards can pose significant risks to human health, impacting well-being and quality of life. Common hazards found within indoor spaces include mold, allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and various toxins. Each of these factors leads to a range of health symptoms and conditions that can be

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