We are one of the best mold detectives and remediators. However, we do not test. That is something that needs to be done independently, as we feel that it is a conflict of interest. We can detect mold – so can you. If you have moisture in your basement, and organic materials, i.e. – the paper on drywall, clothing, boxes, furniture, – then chances are you also have mold. The first step in solving an indoor mold problem is stopping the source of moisture. Next is to remove the mold growth.
Molds are ever-present in nature, and mold spores are a common constituent of household dust. When mold spores are present in large quantities, they may present a health hazard, with the potential of allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
Some molds also produce mycotoxins that can pose serious health risks to humans and animals. Exposure to high levels of mycotoxins can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death. Prolonged exposure, e.g. daily workplace exposure, can be particularly harmful. The term toxic mold does not refer to all molds in general; it refers specifically to molds that produce mycotoxins, such as Stachybotrys Chartarum.
If you have any concerns about mold, which are very valid concerns, we believe that an investment into mold remediation is well worth the cost. Your family’s health may depend on you taking action. However, you have to remove the moisture first, or you are just wasting your money.
One of the most commonly faced problems around the world include mold. We offer the best mold remediation in Texas that eliminates mold growth and prevents future growth. We also offer commercial mold remediation services.
Protection levels
During the remediation process, the level of contamination dictates the level of protection for the remediation workers. The levels of contamination are described as Levels I, II, and III. Each has specific requirements for worker safety. The levels are as follows:
Level I
Small Isolated Areas (10 sq. ft or less) for example, ceiling tiles, small areas on walls.
Remediation can be conducted by the regular building staff as long as they are trained on proper clean-up methods, personal protection, and potential hazards. This training can be performed as part of a program to comply with the requirements of OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
Respiratory protection (for example, N-95 disposable respirator) is recommended. Respirators must be used in accordance with the OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). Gloves and eye protection should also be worn.
The work area should be unoccupied. Removing people from spaces adjacent to the work area is not necessary, but is recommended for infants (less than 12 months old), persons recovering from recent surgery, immune-suppressed, or people with respiratory diseases.
Containment of the work area is not necessary. However, misting and dust suppression is recommended.
Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags and disposed of as ordinary waste.
The work area/areas used by workers for access/egress should be cleaned with a damp cloth or mop and a detergent.
All areas should be left dry and visibly free of from contamination and debris.
Level II
Mid-sized Isolated Areas (10-30 sq ft) – for example, individual wallboard panels.
Remediation can be conducted by the regular building staff as long as they are trained as for Level I. Respiratory protection, occupation of the work and adjacent areas, and handling of contaminated materials are the same as for Level I.
Surfaces in the work area that could become contaminated should be covered with sheet(s) of plastic that are secured in place. This should be done prior to any remediation process to prevent further contamination.
Dust suppression methods, such as misting (not soaking) surface prior to remediation, are recommended.
The work area/areas used by workers for access/egress should be HEPA vacuumed and cleaned with a damp cloth or mop and a detergent.
As with Level I, all areas should be left dry and visibly free from contamination and debris.
Level III
Large Isolated Areas (30-100 sq ft) – e.g., several wallboard panels
Industrial hygienists or other environmental health and safety professionals with experience performing microbial investigations and/or mold remediation should be consulted prior to remediation activities to provide oversight for the project.
It is recommended that personnel be trained in the handling of hazardous materials and equipped with respiratory protection (N-95 disposable respirator). Respirators must be used in accordance with OSHA respiratory protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) Gloves and eye protection should also be worn.
Surfaces in the work area and areas directly adjacent that could become contaminated should be covered with a secured plastics sheet(s) before remediation to contain dust/debris and prevent further contamination.
Seal ventilation ducts/grills in the work area and areas directly adjacent with plastic sheeting.
The work area and areas directly adjacent should be unoccupied. Removing people from spaces adjacent to the work area is not necessary, but is recommended for infants (less than 12 month old), persons recovering from recent surgery, immune-suppressed or people with respiratory diseases.
Dust suppression methods, such as misting (not soakings) surface prior to remediation, are recommended.
Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags and disposed of as ordinary waste.
The work area/areas used by workers for access/egress should be HEPA vacuumed and cleaned with a damp cloth or mop and a detergent.
All areas should be left dry and visibly free from contamination and debris.
Level IV
Extensive Contamination (greater than 100 contiguous sq. ft in an area).
- Personnel trained in handling of hazardous materials and equipped with:
- Full face respirators with HEPA cartridges
- Disposable protective clothing covering the entire body including the head, shoes and hands
- Containment of the affected area:
- Complete isolation of the work area from occupied spaces using plastic sheeting sealed with duct tape ( including ventilation duct/grills, fixtures, and other openings
- The use of an exhaust fan with a HEPA filter to generate negative pressurization, a decontamination room, and airlocks
- Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags and disposed of as ordinary waste.
- The contained area and decontamination room should be HEPA vacuumed and cleaned with a damp cloth or mopped with a detergent solution and be visibly clean prior to the removal of any isolation barrier.
In conclusion, after the moisture source has been eliminated and the mold growth removed, the premises should be revisited and reevaluated to ensure the mold growth and the remediation process was successful. The premises should be free of any moldy smells or visible growth.
Facts About Mold and Dampness (From the CDC Website)
There is always some mold everywhere – in the air and on many surfaces. Molds have been on the Earth for millions of years. Mold grows where there is moisture.
Mold and Your Health
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all. Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. These people should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.
A link between other adverse health effects, such as acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants, memory loss, or lethargy, and molds, including the mold Stachybotrys chartarum (Stachybotrys atra), has not been proven. Further studies are needed to find out what causes acute idiopathic hemorrhage and other adverse health effects.
Mold and Your Home
Mold is found both indoors and outdoors. Mold can enter your home through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Mold in the air outside can also attach itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets can and be carried indoors.
Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery.
You Can Control Mold
Inside your home, you can control mold growth by:
- Keeping humidity levels between 40% and 60%;
- Promptly fixing leaky basements, roofs, windows, and pipes;
- Thoroughly cleaning and drying after flooding;
- Ventilating shower, laundry, and cooking areas.
If mold is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mold and fix the moisture problem. Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do not need to know the type of mold growing in your home, and CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds. No matter what type of mold is present, you should remove it. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, either because of the amount or type of mold, you cannot rely on sampling and culturing to know your health risk. Also, good sampling for mold can be expensive, and standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable quantity of mold have not been set. The best practice is to remove the mold and work to prevent future growth.
If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold:
- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes.
- Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
- Wear non-porous gloves and protective eyewear.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product.
If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types.
Mold Prevention Tips
- Keep the humidity level in your home between 40% and 60%. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.
- Be sure your home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans, which vent outside in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
- Fix any leaks in your home’s basement walls, floors, roof, above grade walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
- Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly (within 24-48 hours) after flooding.
- Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.
- Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider using ceramic or inorganic flooring.
Sampling/Testing
In general the EPA does not recommend sampling unless an occupant of the space is symptomatic. When sampling is necessary, a trained professional who has specific experience in designing mold-sampling protocols, sampling methods, and the interpretation of findings should perform it. Sampling should only be conducted to answer a pertinent question: examples “what is the spore concentration in the air”,” or is a particular species of fungi present in the building.” The additional question should be asked before sampling “what action can or should a person take upon obtaining data.”
The sampling and analysis should follow the recommendations of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Most importantly, when a sample is taken the proper chain of custody should be adhered to. The AIHA offers lists of accredited laboratories that submit to required quarterly proficiency testing.
Three types of air sampling include but are not limited to:
Air sampling: the most common form of sampling to assess the level of mold. Sampling of the inside and outdoor air is conducted and the results to the level of mold spores inside the premises and outside are compared. Often, air sampling will provide positive identification of the existence of non-visible mold.
Surface samples: sampling the amount of mold spores deposited on indoor surfaces (swab, tape, and dust samples)
Bulk samples: the removal of materials from the contaminated area to identify and determine the concentration of mold in the sample.
When sampling is conducted, all three types are recommended by the AIHA, as each sample method alone has specific limitations. For example, air samples will not provide proof a hidden source of mold. Nor would a swab sample provide the level of contamination in the air.
Though it may not be recommended, air sampling following mold remediation is usually the best way to ascertain efficacy of remediation, when conduct by a qualified third party.