What is Mold?

• Molds are part of the natural environment & reproduce by means of tiny spores invisible to the naked eye.
• Mold floats through indoor and outdoor air.
• Mold begins to grow when it is exposed to a wet surface and has shelter as well as a food source.
• There are many types of mold and most are dependant on moisture to grow. 

Mold Requires 4 Components to Grow

Temperatures Food Source Moisture Mold Spores

Chlorine Bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6%) does not kill mold! Why?

Mold's hyphae (root structures) actually grow into wood and drywall like roots. The hyphae are not killed by bleach because bleach's ion structure prevents chlorine from penetrating into porous materials such as dry wall and wood. It stays on the outside surface, whereas mold has protected enzyme roots growing inside the porous construction materials. When you spray porous surface molds with bleach, the water part of the solution soaks into the wood while the bleach chemical sits atop the surface, gases off, and thus only partially kills the surface layer of mold while the water penetration of the building materials fosters further mold growth.

Chlorine bleach causes long term breakdown of wood products like studs, sheathing, plywood, OSB, and other building materials over time.

Health Effects

All molds have the potential to cause health effects. Molds produce allergens, irritants, and in some cases, toxins that may cause reactions in humans. The types and severity of symptoms depend, in part, on the types of mold present, the extent of an individual's exposure, the ages of the individuals, and their existing sensitivities or allergies.