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Mold Q & A
Q. What is mold?
A. Mold, a fungus, is described as one of the most common organisms
on earth. Scientists estimate thousands of types of mold exist. Molds grow
best in warm, damp and humid conditions. They spread and reproduce by
making spores, according to the Center for Disease Control. Outdoors,
molds are found in soil, vegetation and rotting wood. Mold is found
year-round in the Southeast because of the high levels of humidity.
Indoors, molds grow wherever conditions are warm and damp, such as
bathrooms, attics, basements, greenhouses, saunas and flower shops. Mold
will also grow under carpets, in drapes and furniture, on clothing and
shoes, in pillows and mattresses, wood products, paper, cardboard,
books, rags, wallboard, ceiling tiles, paint, wallpaper, household dust
and air conditioner ducts, garbage containers and refrigerators.
Q. Is It
Dangerous?
A. Most molds are not dangerous. However, there can be a problem for
individuals with mold sensitivity or allergies, according to the CDC.
The biggest health problem is to allergy and asthma sufferers. Exposure
may cause may cause nasal stuffiness, eye irritation or wheezing.
Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Stachybotrys,
or black mold, has received a lot of media attention for its toxicity.
However, it isn't common in East Tennessee because it requires an abundant and constant
water source to grow and reproduce, according to Dr. George Graham of American Mold Lab.
Q. How Does It
Enter A Home?
A. Mold spores travel in the air and attach to people's skin,
clothing, shoes, shopping bags and belongings. Other ways spores can
enter your home invisibly are through open doors and windows, through
your home's heating ventilation and air-conditioning system and on the
fur of a pet.
Q. Does Chlorine
Bleach Kill Mold?*
A. A myth exists concerning the use and “effectiveness” of chlorine bleach
(sodium hypochorite) in the remediation of a mold problem. Mold
remediation involves the removal and or clean up and restoration of mold
contaminated building materials.
Opposing Views and
Confusion.
Chlorine bleach, commonly referred to as laundry bleach, is generally
perceived to be an “accepted and answer-all” biocide to abate mold in
the remediation processes. Well-intentioned recommendations of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal, state and local
agencies are perpetuating that belief. And confusing the issue is one
federal agency, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA),
taking an opposing point of view by NOT recommending the use of chlorine
bleach as a routine practice in mold remediation.
Does Bleach Really
Kill Mold?
Will chlorine bleach kill mold or not—yes or no? The answer is yes, but
with a caveat. That answer comes from The Clorox Company, Oakland CA,
manufacturer and distributor of Ultra Clorox® Regular Bleach. The
company’s correspondence to Spore°Tech Mold Investigations, LLC stated
that their Tech Center studies supported by independent laboratories
show that “…3/4 cup of Clorox liquid bleach per gallon of water will be
effective on hard, non-porous surfaces against… Aspergillus niger and
Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Athlete’s Foot Fungus)”. Whether or not
chlorine bleach kills other molds and fungi, the company did not say.
The words “hard, non-porous” surfaces” present the caveat. Mold
remediation involves the need to disinfect wood and wood-based building
materials, all of which are porous materials. Thus, chlorine bleach
should not be used in mold remediation as confirmed by OSHA’s Mold
Remediation/ Clean Up Methods guidelines. The use of bleach as a mold
disinfectant is best left to kitchen and bathroom countertops, tubs and
shower glass, etc.
Why Chlorine
Bleach is NOT Recommended for Mold Remediation.
Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is corrosive and that fact is
stated on the product label. Yet the properties of chlorine bleach
prevent it from “soaking into” wood-based building materials to get at
the deeply embedded mycilia (roots) of mold. The object to killing mold
is to kill its “roots”. Reputable mold remediation contractors use
appropriate products that effectively disinfect salvageable mold
infected wood products. Beware of any mold inspector or mold remediation
company that recommends or uses chlorine bleach for mold clean up on
wood-based building materials.
Chlorine Bleach Is
Active Ingredient in New Mold & Mildew Products.
The appearance of new mold and mildew household products on store
shelves is on the rise. Most are dilute solutions of laundry bleach. The
labels on these mold and mildew products state that they are for use on
(again) hard, non-porous surfaces and not for wood-based materials.
Instructions where not to apply the products are varied. A few examples
where the branded products should not be applied include wood or painted
surfaces, aluminum products, metal (including stainless steel), faucets,
marble, natural stone, and, of course, carpeting, fabrics and paper. One
commercial mold and mildew stain remover even specifically states it
should not be applied to porcelain or metal without immediate rinsing
with water and that the product isn’t recommended for use on formica or
vinyl.
Caveat Emptor!
Before purchasing a mold and mildew product, read and fully understand
the advertised purpose of that product — and correctly follow the use
instructions of a purchased product. The labeling claims on these new
products can be confusing — some say their product is a mold and mildew
remover while another says their product is a mildew stain remover and
yet others make similar 'ambiguous' claims. Make double sure that the
product satisfies your intended need on the surface to which it is to be
applied. If your intention is to kill mold, make sure the product does
exactly that and follow the directions for usage. Consumers may find
that mixing their own diluted bleach solution will achieve the same
results as any of the new mold and mildew products — keep in mind that
the use of chlorine bleach is not for use on mold infected wood products
including wall board, ceiling tiles, wall studs, fabric, paper products,
etc.
Conclusion.
Laundry bleach is not an effective mold killing agent for wood-based
building materials and NOT EFFECTIVE in the mold remediation process.
OSHA is the first federal agency to announce a departure from the use of
chlorine bleach in mold remediation. In time, other federal agencies are
expected to follow OSHA’s lead. The public should be aware, however,
that a chlorine bleach solution IS an effective sanitizing product that
kills mold on hard surfaces and neutralizes indoor mold allergens that
trigger allergies.
Source:
http://www.spore-tech.com
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Tennessee Mold Consultants
