#154 - 03/18/05 07:48 AM
Information about Black Mold
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RemodelingGuy
Super Do It Yourselfer
Registered: 03/02/01
Posts: 914
Loc: Houston, Texas
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Black Mold" is a term commonly used to describe a slimy, greenish-black substance which can result in serious health risk. It can cause the death of babies from respiratory bleeding, or can cause illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. According to the CDC(Center of Disease Control), this mold is responsible for over "100 cases of lung disorders".
This infamous mold is also known as Strachybotrys chartarum and more often as Strachybotrys atra.
Almost every house has one type or another of mold, usually in the kitchen or bathroom. Some of them are not harmful, but some pose a serious health risk.
Mold spores get transported to different areas by attaching themselves to various hosts like people, animals, shoes and they even enter through open windows and doors. The spores then thrive and grow where it is damp and moist. Areas and substances where black mold can be found include water soaked wood, ceiling tiles, wall paneling, cardboard, even items made of cotton. Black mold can grow on drywall and insulation and can infest areas in the floors, walls and ceilings. Very toxic molds can develop from water seepage.
Moisture is essential to the growth of black mold, and when it is wet it is shiny in appearance. If you were to physically touch a spot of black mold, it would feel slimy and would smear on the area.
If you need to clean up the area infested with black mold, you need to verify the extent of the problem. Many of the infested areas will be relatively small and be a result of small leaks or plumbing problems. After discovering the root of the problem and rectifying it, you can disinfect the area with bleach. A mixture of one cup bleach to a gallon of water is sufficient to disinfect the area. Apparently adding a touch of dish soap to the mixture will also aid in dissolving accumulated grease and dirt in the area. You are to apply the bleach mixture to the moldy area and leave it to saturate the area for approximately fifteen minutes. After this you must take care to thoroughly dry the cleaned area.
Spores from dried mold are very dangerous and should be cleaned with caution. You should never scrape or scratch at dried mold as the spores would then be released into the air and pose an inhalation risk. A respiratory mask and eye protection are necessary and adequate clothing to prevent skin contact is recommended.
According to the CDC, there are some preventative measures one must take to avoid the spread of black mold. Keep the humidity of the house down, make sure there is adequate ventilation inside the home(especially in the kitchen and bathroom), add mold inhibitors to new paint before painting, use mold killing products to clean and do not use carpet in the bathroom.
_________________________
Jimmy McDonald http://www.StartRemodeling.comJimmy@StartRemodeling.com http://www.ToxicMoldUSA.comMcMoldMan@ToxicMoldUSA.com Jimmy McDonald ( RemodelingGuy) specifically assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information or process disclosed. The above further expressly advises that any use of or reliance upon the information and or opinion disclosed is at your risk .
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#155 - 06/20/05 01:07 AM
Re: Information about Black Mold
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Originally posted by RemodelingGuy:
Black Mold" is a term commonly used to describe a slimy, greenish-black substance which can result in serious health risk. It can cause the death of babies from respiratory bleeding, or can cause illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. According to the CDC(Center of Disease Control), this mold is responsible for over "100 cases of lung disorders".
This infamous mold is also known as Strachybotrys chartarum and more often as Strachybotrys atra.
Almost every house has one type or another of mold, usually in the kitchen or bathroom. Some of them are not harmful, but some pose a serious health risk.
Mold spores get transported to different areas by attaching themselves to various hosts like people, animals, shoes and they even enter through open windows and doors. The spores then thrive and grow where it is damp and moist. Areas and substances where black mold can be found include water soaked wood, ceiling tiles, wall paneling, cardboard, even items made of cotton. Black mold can grow on drywall and insulation and can infest areas in the floors, walls and ceilings. Very toxic molds can develop from water seepage.
Moisture is essential to the growth of black mold, and when it is wet it is shiny in appearance. If you were to physically touch a spot of black mold, it would feel slimy and would smear on the area.
If you need to clean up the area infested with black mold, you need to verify the extent of the problem. Many of the infested areas will be relatively small and be a result of small leaks or plumbing problems. After discovering the root of the problem and rectifying it, you can disinfect the area with bleach. A mixture of one cup bleach to a gallon of water is sufficient to disinfect the area. Apparently adding a touch of dish soap to the mixture will also aid in dissolving accumulated grease and dirt in the area. You are to apply the bleach mixture to the moldy area and leave it to saturate the area for approximately fifteen minutes. After this you must take care to thoroughly dry the cleaned area.
Spores from dried mold are very dangerous and should be cleaned with caution. You should never scrape or scratch at dried mold as the spores would then be released into the air and pose an inhalation risk. A respiratory mask and eye protection are necessary and adequate clothing to prevent skin contact is recommended.
According to the CDC, there are some preventative measures one must take to avoid the spread of black mold. Keep the humidity of the house down, make sure there is adequate ventilation inside the home(especially in the kitchen and bathroom), add mold inhibitors to new paint before painting, use mold killing products to clean and do not use carpet in the bathroom.
Ive looked at pictures on the web tonight and in the home im in the process of buying i think i have mold in he attic where the bathroom cathedrial ceiling attaches to the roof. There is no vent fan in the bathroom so the moisture from the shower/ jacuzzi tub has gone straight up to the ceiling and looking in the attic theres a black substance, not patchy though, almost like someone spray painted black on the wood, the sheathing has buckled in 1 or 2 areas. A roofing contractor has told me the he would remove all of the sheathing above the bathroom and take out all of the insulation between the bathroom ceiling and the roof and put foam shoots to help with air flow in the attic. Also, a vent fan will be put in above the shower/ jacuzzi tub to pull moisture out of the room and outside. im not convinced im dealing with mold, im thinking it could be mildew, any advise?
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