Facts about Mold and Safety Tips

The Dangers of Mold In Your Home

• Molds produce allergens, toxins (mycotoxins), and/or irritants.
• Molds are a major source of indoor allergens.
• Molds can also trigger asthma.
• The mold spores may be toxic by inhalation
• Some molds are capable of producing carcinogens (e.g., aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus)
• Dead mold is still allergenic, and some dead molds are potentially toxic.
• Dead mold may still cause allergic reactions, so it is not enough to simply kill the mold, it must also be removed.
• It is necessary to remove all of the mold contamination, not just to kill the mold
• Physically disturbing the mold will cause the spores to spread

Problems cause by Mold Amplification:

• Molds cause odor problems, discoloration, staining and cosmetic damage
• Mold growth can eventually cause structural damage to a building
• The longer it grows the more damage it will cause

Do-It Yourself - USE CAUTION: Investigating and testing for hidden mold problems may be dangerous.

We recommend individuals untrained in bio-containment abatement procedures do not attempt to perform remediation on molds with an aggregate area of contamination of 10 square feet or more. (regardless of the type), or on those molds, (regardless of area), which are considered to be toxic or pathogens.

• Mold may be hidden in places such as the back side of dry wall, wallpaper, paneling or under carpet padding
• Removal of wallpaper can lead to a massive release of spores from mold growing on the underside of the paper
• Discard moldy items that can't be cleaned or treated
• Don't forget to address the source of the moisture problem, or the mold problem may simply reappearing as little as 24 to 48 hours
• If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional

Use of commercially available products:

• The use of a chlorine bleach, for mold remediation is not recommended
• Biocides are toxic to humans, as well as to mold.
• Do not use fungicides developed for use outdoors for mold remediation or for any other indoor situation.

Some companies advocate the use of Chlorine Beach as a mold remover.

We DO NOT use chlorine bleach [sodium hypochlorite] to kill mold or disinfect moldy areas.

• Chlorine is not an effective or permanent killer of mold or the mold spores and does not address the odors caused by VOC's (volatile organic compounds) that are released by the live and dying mold.
• Chlorine bleach is too diluted to permanently kill mold unless the mold is sitting on top of a hard non-cellulose surface*.
• As chlorine constantly escapes through the plastic walls of its containers, it's effectiveness is further reduced by up to 50% in 90 days in a never opened container.
• Mold, by nature of the physiology, has a hyphae that extends out from the body of the mold cell. This hyphae can penetrate and intertwine into the fibers of the substrate, in this case, the dry wall or wood, microscopically piercing the surface of these items. The ion structure of the chlorine prevents it from penetrating into those same porous materials.
• The chlorine stays on the outside surface, while the mold penetrates these materials. The chlorine can never reach into the areas that the hyphae grow. So the mold's hyphae remain untouched and intact. When moisture re-enters the area where the hyphae have embedded themselves, the mold will continue to grow.
• On most porous building materials that contain, cellulose such as wood timbers, drywall, chipboard, plywood, etc., bleach can change the color of the mold, but will only slow down mold growth for about 3 weeks. It is not a long lasting solution.
• Chlorine Bleach is not registered with the EPA as a disinfectant to kill mold. An EPA registration number for killing mold is listed on the label of any brand of product that is recognized for that purpose. Chlorine bleach does not have this registration.
• Beach can also ruin the surface finish on many substances, discoloring fibers and dissolving coatings and tarnishing certain finishes.
• * A recent study has found that chlorine does have some limited effect on killing mold on some hard surfaces, where the hyphae does not penetrate the surface. These would include ceramic tile, formica counters or steel appliances. However, the chlorine will not address the spores or the odors.

Safety tips: It is important to take precautions to limit your exposure to mold and mold spores :

• Do not touch mold or moldy items with your bare hands
• Do not get mold or the mold spores in your eyes
• Do not breath in mold or mold spores
• Use Personal Protective equipment - N95 respirator, gloves and eye protection when investigating for mold in your home.
• Wash or shower well with soap after potential exposure to mold or mold spores
• Take care not to disturb mold spores
• A small area that is contaminated and has the potential to distribute mold to other areas, even during the cleanup

If the mold problem is more than 10 square feet or if you've tried cleaning it yourself and the odor persists or the mold returns, you need professional consultation.

Bioremediate.com, LLC - we offer full microbial remediation services for large and small mold clean-ups. Guaranteed.

• Large and small projects mold inspection, testing and remediation projects
• Treatments suitable for crawlspaces, attics, unfinished basement and carpets
• Specialty treatments for Baby's rooms, pre-school playrooms, hospices and special care units
• Mold prevention treatments for new homes and buildings under construction - product guarantees
• Treatments for flood damaged, water damaged and fire damaged buildings

Call for an appointment. Telephone: 678-323-6043

Servicing the following areas: Atlanta and the Greater Atlanta area including Gwinnett, Hall, Marietta, Roswell, Athens, Gainesville, Buford, Monroe.

Licensed for Environmental and Industrial Pollution Clean-up

• We provide microbial remediation solutions for mold
• We offer personalized service for both large and small projects.
• We solve the problem; recommending the most cost effective solutions.
• We offer full remediation services, from testing and consultancy to on-site project management
• We use products specifically formulated and chosen for your particular environmental problem.

To inquire about our services in the Greater Atlanta area please call :

Robert Ractliffe, C.Q.Eng. (ASQC) Chief Executive Manager

678-323-6043

or send us an e-mail with your name and phone number. Just describe your problem. We will then contact you by phone to set up an appointment for a mold inspection.

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