Toxic Mold

The most important consideration to keep in mind for toxic mold prevention is that fungi and mold need a moist, wet, or damp environment in order to thrive. By maintaining a clean, dry home or workplace, dangerous mold species cannot begin to grow. Unfortunately, it is often extremely difficult to distinguish between toxic molds and those that don’t pose a risk. Most types of mold appear quite similar---black or gray sooty patches. The good news is that even if toxic molds are in or around a home, most homeowners remove them through normal cleaning before they are able to grow to a size where they would pose a threat.
Regardless of the type of mold that is found in a particular home, the relative safety of those inside depends on the size of the mold manifestation. The danger level occurs when mold reaches a size of roughly 2 square feet. Also of concern is if mold has infested household items like insulation, drywall, or carpet. If so, these materials should be immediately extracted and the source of the dampness or wetness should be fixed. When replacing these items, it is best to use a non-cellulose and low nitrogen replacement material.

If the mold patch is small, it can be removed with a chlorine-bleach solution (1 cup of bleach in 1 gal. of water). The mold should come off with simple scrubbing (individuals should protect themselves with eye protection, rubber gloves and carbon filter respirators). Mold that has dried should not be scraped because this greatly increases the chances the releasing toxin-carrying spores into the air.

Sources in and around homes that can create a dangerous environment include leaky or broken pipes, windows or older doors that lack good seals, roofs that leak, and any cracks or holes in the building. If flooding has occurred, it is extremely important to make sure that the water is thoroughly dried up to avoid festering water or dampness. In addition, reducing the humidity through the use of a dehumidifier can prevent the growth of dangerous toxic molds.

All buildings should undergo scheduled maintenance that includes inspection for water leaks, problem seals around windows and doors, as well as checks for visible mold in moist or damp parts of the building. Any conditions that could be a possible cause of mold or fungi growth should be corrected to prevent possible problems in the future.

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Toxic Mold News - The Toxic Mold Website is a comprehensive guide to many aspects of mold and the potentially fatal dangers that it poses to infants and individuals.

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