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Toxic Mold - Fact or Fiction?
Much has been said recently about the problematic effects of mold growth on the indoor environment. Some would have you believe that mold is of little concern, while others, such as some in the media, are nearly hysterical. The truth lies somewhere in between. Mold or fungi have been with us since the beginning of time and place a vital role in the ecology of the planet. In fact, there are those that believe that the tenth plaque that God place upon the Egyptians in biblical times was a fungus known as Stachybotroys Chartarum. There are certain interpretations of the Bible that give instructions in the chapter of Leviticus, to remove molds from buildings and their contents. Why is Mold Such a Problem Today? The answers here are rather complex, but many of the problems begin with the way in which a building is built in comparison to how they were built in past generations. Buildings today are built "tight" to help conserve energy, therefore buildings don't breathe the way they once did. If moisture accumulates inside a building, it is more likely to become trapped and not dry out. This moisture can be as easy to detect as a sudden and accidental discharge into the building or as difficult as determining vapor diffusion through improperly constructed wall systems. Many building materials used today such as engineered wood products, drywall and wallpaper provide excellent food source for these organisms to thrive. Insulated walls and ductboard can become heavily contaminated. The adherence to the Uniform Building Code may also be problematic, as construction techniques utilized in the cold Northeastern U.S. may not be suitable to the warm and humid Gulf Coast areas. Simply because a building's design may work in New England, does not mean that it will work in Texas.
Should I be concerned about mold in my home or office? Mold is a naturally occurring part of a healthy ecology. It is common to find mold spores in the air both outside and inside your office or home. In fact, most of the mold that you find indoors comes from outside. The spores are carried in by the air currents and some are deposited in the interior of the building, while the bulk of the spores are carried out of the building by the same air currents. Generally, as long as the indoor mold spore levels are no higher than outdoor levels there are few adverse reactions to the mold. However, according to most experts, as the amount of mold becomes more extensive or mold spore levels become elevated, it can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections, and other respiratory problems. Mold can also cause structural damage to buildings. What are the health concerns surrounding fungus? According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, mold is a “possible allergen”. Unfortunately, the science has not been fully developed in this regard. Documented symptoms of mold exposure can range from simple allergy type reactions to hypersensitivity or respiratory difficulties. How much exposure is required to bring on symptoms varies from individual to individual. Past or extended exposures may cause a weakened resistance to exposure. Individuals with compromised immune systems, pregnant women and infants are particularly at risk. If you feel that you may be having adverse reactions to molds, seek the advice of a qualified medical doctor. (pic) Mold growing under a Cabinet Does Mold Go Away After You Kill It? Unfortunately the answer is no. Mold fragments can be the source of allergic reactions. Some molds produce what are known as "mycotoxins" which remain on the organisms even after they are dead. Removing water source is vital to the controlling mold growth, but the organisms will remain in place in a dormant state simply waiting for the right conditions to return. How much mold does it take to make me sick? That's a difficult question to answer. It's like asking how much sun it takes to cause sunburn. It varies from person to person. For some it takes very little exposure to cause an adverse reaction. A recent news article talked about a little girl that could not be in direct sunlight. To do so would result in severe blistering. On the other hand, some people can be in the sun for long periods of time without any adverse reaction. Also, when someone is severely sunburned, he or she becomes more sensitive, in other words, it takes less exposure the next time to create the same reaction. Likewise, exposure to mold can make someone more sensitive to it. Once a person is removed from the exposure, the reactions tend to diminish. While sun is primarily a dermal exposure issue, with a potential for heat stress, adverse reactions to mold exposure can be dermal or internal due to ingestion or respiration. As a general rule, when you see mold the moisture problem needs to be resolved and the mold removed. Are some people at greater risk than others? High levels of mold are not healthy for anyone inside a building. Those individuals that appear to be at higher risk are infants, elderly, immune compromised (those with HIV infection, liver disease or undergoing chemotherapy), pregnant women and individuals with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity and asthma. If you have concerns about your health, you should consult a physician for advice. Does it matter what kind of mold is found in my home? The reaction to the amount and types of molds in a home will vary from person to person. Some molds will produce mycotoxins, or toxins produced by molds. Simply spraying a mildewcide on mold will not remove or inactivate the mycotoxins that have already been produced. An adverse reaction from non-viable (dead) mold or mold spores can still happen. Not all molds produce mycotoxins all the time. And it may take a lot of mold to produce enough of a dose of mycotoxin to produce a poison. The amount of mycotoxin required to create a reaction has not clearly been established. Tolerance to these mycotoxins again varies from person to person.
My floors are wet, what should I do first?
My floors are wet, what should I do first? Your first concern should be the safety of you and your family. DO NOT operate TV’s, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet floors, especially wet concrete floors. Do not enter into areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water. Is there anything I can do while I wait for someone to get here? Yes. You are required by most insurance policies to take immediate steps to mitigate damages. Your first step is to call Boone’s Restoration Technologies for their 24 hour emergency service. Next you can do the following:
Raw sewage and flood waters contain bacteria and other micro organisms which can be extremely hazardous to human health Children and pets are especially vulnerable. Absorbent and porous materials that have come into direct contact with contaminated water may times cannot be restored. You DO NOT want to track contaminated material into unaffected areas or turn on your air conditioner of heater as this can spread contaminants through the structure. What can I expect to happen when you get here? Prompt action by experienced restorers makes a difference in mitigating structural damage to property. We will concentrate on safely drying, deodorizing and disinfecting the areas flooded or damaged by water. The equipment we use:
Drying equipment helps to control temperature and humidity levels, which can minimize swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture. From the Carpet & Rug Institute web site:
How much does it cost? Our minimum charge is $75.00. Our charges are between 25¢ sq/ft. (for regular carpet fiber) to 35¢ sq/ ft (for natural carpet fiber) wall-to-wall. Fiber protector (3M Teflon®) is an additional 15¢ sq/ ft. Ask about our cleaning packages for additional value! Normally 3-6 hours, but can take up to 24 hours depending on post cleaning treatments, relative humidity and temperature. Why should I have my carpets cleaned? First and foremost to create a healthy indoor environment. Carpet is the sink or filter of the house and collects dust mites, dust, bacteria and thousands of other microorganisms and contaminants. Regular cleaning also adds to the appearance of the home, as well as increases the carpets life expectancy when cleaned properly. Why can't I just use a rental carpet cleaning machine? Usually those machines have very low cleaning pressure and cleaning temperature. High residue content left on the fibers causes rapid re-soiling. Over wetting by consumer can cause damage to carpet fibers and backing materials. Fungi growth potential increases when carpet remains wet for a prolonged period of time. What is the difference between wet cleaning method versus dry cleaning method?
Dry cleaning is a misnomer. All carpet cleaning methods use water to some degree. Dry cleaning is a maintenance method of cleaning. A dry cleaning solution is applied to the top of the yarn. A cotton bonnet is utilized to remove the soil. It is not extracted and only the top third (1/3) of the yarn is cleaned. How often should I have my carpets professionally cleaned? It depends on many factors, number of occupants, kids, pets, traffic, etc. The USEPA recommends that carpet should be cleaned every 6-12 months. Most carpet manufacturers recommend or may even require periodic cleaning by an IICRC certified firm to maintain your carpet warranty. Cleaning more often will not effect the carpet's life expectancy, in fact, frequent vacuuming and periodic professional cleaning can triple the carpet's life expectancy. Can you clean/remove pet odors? There are various treatment methods involved, all depending on the severity of the pet urine damage. Please contact us for remedy options and pricing. Fire and Smoke
Yes. You can:
Can you ever get rid of the smoke odor? A fire loss is very complex because of the unique behavior of smoke. A proper understanding of the differing types of smoke and the methods necessary to deal with each one is required. Some of these are:
Boone’s Restoration Technologies utilizes Ozone gas treatments and Thermal fogging of odor counteractant as a type of “insurance policy” that the odors will be removed. The only way to be sure that the odor will be removed is with thorough cleaning. Remember, as long as residues remain, the possibility of an odor problem remains.
Lets take a look at what internationally accepted organizations say about mold remediation by fogging, application of biocides, etc.
The purpose of mold remediation is to remove the mold to prevent human exposure and damage to building materials and furnishings. It is necessary to clean up mold contamination, not just to kill the mold. Dead mold is still allergenic, and some dead molds are potentially toxic. The use of a biocide, such as chlorine bleach, is not recommended as a routine practice during mold remediation, although there may be instances where professional judgment may indicate its use (for example, when immune-compromised individuals are present). In most cases, it is not possible or desirable to sterilize an area; a background level of mold spores will remain in the air (roughly equivalent to or lower than the level in outside air). These spores will not grow if the moisture problem in the building has been resolved. If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area. Outdoor air may need to be brought in with fans. When using fans, take care not to distribute mold spores throughout an unaffected area. Biocides are toxic to humans, as well as to mold. You should also use appropriate PPE and read and follow label precautions. Never mix chlorine bleach solution with cleaning solutions or detergents that contain ammonia; toxic fumes could be produced. Some biocides are considered pesticides, and some States require that only registered pesticide applicators apply these products in schools. Make sure anyone applying a biocide is properly licensed, if necessary. Fungicides are commonly applied to outdoor plants, soil, and grains as a dust or spray—examples include hexachlorobenzene, organomercurials, pentachlorophenol, phthalimides, and dithiocarbamates. Do not use fungicides developed for use outdoors for mold remediation or for any other indoor situation.
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Are biocides required or useful in remediation projects? 1) The adverse effects caused by mold (other than infection) are due to metabolites present in their spores and secreted into the materials upon which molds have grown. The application of biocides may kill mold spores but it does not necessarily eliminate these metabolites. The only sure way to do this requires the physical elimination of mold and moldy materials by thorough cleaning or removal of the affected materials. 2) Most commonly used biocides do not kill molds effectively. Active fungal growth on a surface may produce a spore density of one million spores per square inch. Treating an active mold growth site with a spore density of one million spores per square inch with a biocide with an effectiveness of 99.999% would then leave an estimated 10 viable spores per square inch. As such, if the underlying moisture problem is not resolved, mold growth may re-occur. The only situation where biocidal treatments are indicated is where the contaminant is one of the few fungi that are known to cause human infection. This is particularly important in health care facilities or other places with occupants who have impaired immune systems or who may be more susceptible than the general population to infection.
NYC Department of Health The use of gaseous, vapor-phase, or aerosolized biocides for remedial purposes is not recommended. The use of biocides in this manner can pose health concerns for people in occupied spaces of the building and for people returning to the treated space if used improperly. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these treatments is unproven and does not address the possible health concerns from the presence of the remaining non-viable mold. For additional information on the use of biocides for remedial purposes, refer to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' document, "Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control."
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control, 15.4 Biocide Use Remediators must carefully consider the necessity and advisability of applying biocides when cleaning microbially contaminated surfaces. The goal of remediation programs should be removal of all microbial growth. This generally can be accomplished by physical removal of materials supporting active growth and thorough cleaning of non-porous materials. Therefore, application of a biocide would serve no purpose that could not be accomplished with a detergent or cleaning agent.
U.S. Army WASHINGTON — The US Army is weighing in on the war on mold, outlining for its facility managers, custodians and others how to prevent and remediate mold contamination. In a 20-page guide issued earlier this year, the Army, among other things, recommended against the use of bleach and biocides, as well as against the use of gaseous ozone or chlorine dioxide for remediation. "The use of bleach or other biocides is questionable in most cases," the Army manual states. "Removal of all mold growth can generally be accomplished by physical removal of materials supporting active growth and thorough cleaning of non-porous materials. Therefore application of a biocides serves no purpose." As to the use of Ozone and Chlorine dioxide, the Army stated: "Both compounds are highly toxic and contamination of occupied space may pose a health threat. Furthermore the effectiveness of these treatments is unproven." Army researchers developed their guidelines partly by using research and data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, the New York City Department of Health and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
IICRC S520 Statements on Encapsulants “Using encapsulants and sealants is discouraged. Remediators need to consider that the application of certain encapsulants or sealant products may change the permeability of materials, cause condensation problems in the building assembly (trap moisture), and result in future deterioration and potential liability issues. Use of encapsulants may impede, mask, or invalidate an inspection for dust and debris. Encapsulants and sealants that have been applied without a complete clean up of mold growth may result in the necessity of sanding off or removing the encapsulants or sealant in order to properly remediate the mold growth. These compounds may contain nitrogen that helps support future mold growth. Encapsulants may also alter the surface flammability characteristics of certain materials.” Encapsulation is not a cleaning method and should be avoided as a standard practice, however, it can be useful in the following special circumstances: Application of a coating over porous or semi-porous surfaces from which mold cannot be fully removed (e.g. shellac, varnish, or lacquer over unfinished wood). “There is a recognition that unique circumstances will arise and that biocides and encapsulants may be considered under specific conditions….When Condition 3 contamination (physical mold growth) cannot be physically removed using reasonable measures, or when ongoing moisture intrusion cannot be resolved, it may be necessary to manage the condition 3 area for extended periods of time using long-term engineering controls, encapsulants, sealants, or other methods.” If you have recently purchased a home and the home was tested by your home inspector or remediated using biocides, it is suggested that you contact a qualified Indoor Air Quality Professional immediately to determine if the sampling and remediation were successful or simply a temporary concealment of the problem to expedite the sale of the home. The few dollars that you saved may be putting the health of your family and your home in jeopardy. In addition, the damage to your home could be continuing. It is also important to note that the companies that perform remediation using biocide, fogging and other such methods usually also sell additional products such as UV lights, special filtration systems, etc. None of the items take the place of a properly performed remediation, period. It is also very important to read and understand any warranties or guarantees issued by companies performing remediation. Does the warranty cover any health effects of non-viable spores? Does it cover toxins? Does it cover metabolic byproducts? Does it cover further structural deterioration? Take the time to answer these questions. Remember, not only may health issues be involved, but also your investment in your home.
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