The pervasiveness of mold has resulted in numerous common myths or misconceptions about its nature, effects on our health, and how to clean or remove it. Most of these mold myths minimize the impact of mold on our health and encourage people to clean up mold themselves. Unfortunately, these myths can pass false information which can potentially harm your home and your health.
Myth 1: Only Black Mold is Harmful
Actually, black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, can be harmful to our health because it releases mycotoxins. However, it is not the only type of mold that releases mycotoxins which can make you sick. Even though not everyone is affected when exposed to mold, all molds can have the potential of causing health-related illness or distress, especially if you have respiratory issues. A number of substances can be produced by mold which are harmful to our health especially if we are sensitive to them. For example, it can produce allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins which can irritate our eyes, lungs, nose, skin, and throats, even if we do not have a mold allergy.
Myth 2: You Can Kill Mold With Bleach
One of the most popular mold myths is that we can kill mold with bleach. Most people probably have tried to remove or kill mold using household bleach since bleach kills germs. It may be true to some extent that you may remove mold from nonporous surfaces but not porous. Some experts also suggest that bleach does not actually kill mold or mold spores but basically bleach them especially if the mold is on porous surfaces. This is because mold spreads its roots deep into porous surfaces like wood, grout, or drywall, therefore it may continue to grow beneath the surface and return to the area after you bleached it. Please note, that mold will mold return in areas where moisture or humidity is present, such as in showers, bathrooms, or kitchens.
Myth 3: You Don’t Need to Remove Mold After Killing It
Mold needs to be removed from nonporous as well as porous surfaces since if mold spores remain, they may begin to grow and release mycotoxins. What’s more, when mold spores are killed, they release mycotoxins which means that you need to remove anything which has been compromised.
Myth 4: You Should Only Be Concerned with Visible Mold
Since mold tends to grow in moist, dark conditions and can have as a food source material such as wood, drywall, paper, or fabrics, it can be hidden from your view. You’ll often find mold in basements, attics, or behind drywall, stucco, and siding. Consequently, mold might be suspected if you notice a musty odor. Likewise, if you and/or members of your household experience allergy symptoms no matter what season it may be or you start getting headaches/dizziness when you enter your home, they may be indications that you have mold issues.
Myth 5: You Can Clean and Remove Mold with Over-the-Counter Cleaning Products Yourself
According to the EPA, if the mold-infested area is less than 10 square feet you may handle it yourself but anything more than that should be dealt with by professionals. Even for small areas, if you do not follow the correct procedures, your efforts in removing mold may accelerate mold growth. Any area greater than ten square feet should be inspected by an Indoor Air Quality inspector and trained certified mold remediation professionals, like the Biotek Environmental, Inc. crews, should be hired to conduct professional mold removal since they have specialized equipment and products to get rid of mold much more efficiently.
Myth 6: Once You Remove Mold It Won’t Return
Unfortunately, even after the mold is removed, if the conditions for mold growth are not dealt with then there is a possibility that your mold problem will return. That’s why at Biotek Environmental, Inc., we will help you remove the mold and the conditions which made it possible for it to grow. To reduce the chance of mold growth after remediation, we suggest the use of Biostatic Coatings, an EPA registered inhibitor. It is also important to maintain environmental control in the remediated area by resolving high humidity, moisture, or water problems that cause mold to grow. Sustained humidity will lead to new mold growth.
Stay Safe by Contacting Trusted Professionals
If you know or even suspect that you have mold issues in your home or workplace, you should take immediate action. If you are a resident of Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg, SC, call Biotek Environmental, Inc. at 866-630-7340 24/7 – 365 days a year or contact us online. We can provide you with professional mold inspection, removal, and remediation services. Our Clean, Green Restoration methods employ EPA registered and environmentally safe chemistries to help our customers reclaim their property from mold removal, and flood and fire damage in the safest ways possible.
