2.Evaporation – Chlorine bleach will evaporate within a short period of time. If the area is not dry when the bleach evaporates, or moisture is still in the contaminated area (humidity, outside air dampness), you could start the contamination process immediately and to a greater degree.

3.Corrosion – Chlorine will accelerate the deterioration of the material and wear down the fibers. Replacement of the effected material will be premature.

4.Off-Gassing – Chlorine bleach off gasses for a period of time. Chlorine off gassing can be harmful to some people. It has been known to cause pulmonary embolisms in low resistance and susceptible people.

5.Bleach is 99% water – Water is one of the main contributors to the growth of harmful bacteria and mold. Using bleach will cause mold and bacteria to re-grow and regenerate with twice the colony forming unit counts than were originally found. Not only does bleach promote further mold growth, the stronger strains of mold now associated within the Indoor Air Quality issue are resistant to bleach.

6. Bleach has no wetting ability on porous surfaces – Porous surfaces are where the majority of the stronger strains of contamination are found. Bleach does not have the capability to penetrate the fibers or the pores of building materials to remove the contamination.

Thanks

1.  Surface Samples – Swab, Dust, Tape and Bulk Samples

Swab, Dust and Tape samples are  mounted on a glass slide and observed under a bright field
microscope for either Qualitative or Quantitative Examination. A bulk sample is also
simultaneously observed under a stereomicroscope to look for signs of any visible discoloration
or fungal growth, which is then mounted and observed under a bright field microscope for
either Qualitative or Quantitative Examination. The samples are analyzed at a minimum of
200X magnification and up to a 1000X magnification. In the  qualitative examination, the
prepared samples are observed for the presence of any structures or skewing of spore
distribution that may indicate growth in the sample being analyzed. In the quantitative examination, the mold spores detected in the sample are counted and reported as spores per cm squared, spores per gram (or 1000mg), or spores per swab/wipe, etc depending on the sample type.
These methodologies do not differentiate between viable and non -viable fungal spores.

2.  Air Samples- Spore Trap Device

Spore traps are a unique sampling device designed for the rapid collection and analysis of a
wide range of airborne particulates, including fungal spores.  While analyzing the sample, the
analyst takes a number of variables into account to select the proper a nalytical method to
accurately determine the densities of the various spores on the trace. The densities of the debris
and the spores on the trace will determine the approach to analyzing the sample. In general, the
sample is directly mounted under the microscope and the various airborne particles detected are
counted at a minimum of 200X magnification and up to 1000X magnification, with the entire
trace (100% of the sample) being analyzed at 200X or 600X. This method does not differentiate
between viable  and non -viable fungal spores.  This technique does not allow for the
differentiation between  Aspergillus and  Penicillium spores. Additionally, depending on
morphology, other non -distinctive spores are reported in categories such as ascospores or
basidiospores.

* Information provided by EMLab P&K

*Information provided by EMLab P&K

Don’t worry, there are things you can do if you believe you have a mold problem.

There are several varieties of mold that can invade your home.

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• Consequences of each type of mold

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There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:

• Many sections of your heating and cooling system may not be accessible for a visible inspection.
• You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert. We have the tools, training, and certification to provide you with the information you need. We offer various options as to sampling and laboratory analysis of areas and materials in question. Let us help you determine the option that will work best for you.
• If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy, it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
• If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.

To wrap it all up, if you have any doubts about where you stand with respect to the previously mentioned items, it couldn’t hurt to schedule a thorough cleaning of your HVAC system.

Additional Resources:

• Allergy & Asthma Network/Mothers of Asthmatics (AAN/MA): (800) 878-4403; www.aanma.org
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI): www.aaaai.org
• American Lung Association: 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872); www.lungusa.org
• Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America: (800) 7ASTHMA; www.aafa.org
• Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation “Fighting Mold – The Homeowner’s Guide” www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_005.cfm
• National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: www.niaid.nih.gov
• National Jewish Medical and Research Center: (800) 222-LUNG (5864); www.njc.org

Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Some people, such as those with serious allergies to molds, may have more severe reactions. Severe reactions may occur among workers exposed to large amounts of molds in occupational settings, such as farmers working around moldy hay. Severe reactions may include fever and shortness of breath. Some people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

For additional information on professional diagnosis, visit the EPA’s publication, Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals

Mold and mildew are commonly found on the exterior wall surfaces of corner rooms in heating climate locations.  An exposed corner room is likely to be significantly colder than adjoining rooms, so that it has a higher relative humidity (RH) than other rooms at the same water vapor pressure.  If mold and mildew growth are found in a corner room, then relative humidity next to the room surfaces is above 70%.  However, is the RH above 70% at the surfaces because the room is too cold or because there is too much moisture present (high water vapor pressure)?

The amount of moisture in the room can be estimated by measuring both temperature and RH at the same location and at the same time.  Suppose there are two cases.  In the first case, assume that the RH is 30% and the temperature is 70^oF in the middle of the room.  The low RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure (or absolute humidity) is low.  The high surface RH is probably due to room surfaces that are “too cold.”  Temperature is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve increasing the temperature at cold room surfaces.

In the second case, assume that the RH is 50% and the temperature is 70^oF in the middle of the room.  The higher RH at that temperature indicates that the water vapor pressure is high and there is a relatively large amount of moisture in the air.  The high surface RH is probably due to air that is “too moist.”  Humidity is the dominating factor, and control strategies should involve decreasing the moisture content of the indoor air.

In other words, if you see a tiny spot of mold in some corner of your house, then you may have a whole bunch more behind the walls, in the attic, in the air conditioning system. …

The surest way to determine what kinds of mold you’ve got is to hire an experienced air quality professional to take some samples. Indoor air consultants can test for mold spores in samples of air and settled dust. Where mold is visible, consultants can collect specimens by cutting out samples of the moldy material or by pressing a piece of shiny cellophane tape into it.