by Gus Pullen | Sep 27, 2022 | Mold
Bleach
The question gets asked often. What do we tell customers who have either read or been told that “dead mold” can still make you sick. To answer this and other misconceptions, let’s dive into the history of the industry and my opinion as to how this whole thing got started. For many years, the general population was under the assumption that bleach kills mold. This can be traced to the 60’s or even earlier. A few years later, actually in the 70’s, changes in building techniques were instituted which made mold more and more prevalent in homes. At this point in the timeline there is an increasing mold problem throughout the country. People are bleaching mold and still feeling sick in their own homes after bleaching.
Other Chemicals
Along with this, home improvement establishments begin offering chemicals that control mold- but certainly nothing that kills mold. One needs to read the small print to discover nothing is really being killed. These factors created a perfect storm. Mostly well meaning disaster recovery companies (and some not so well meaning) began the process of educating and selling the notion that even dead mold makes you sick so we need to tear out as much as possible to get the home safe. This multi million and perhaps billion dollar industry was created based on the perceived knowledge that even though people “killed” the mold with either bleach or some other disinfectant, some or all who lived in the home were still sick. The industry, to this day, hangs their hat on the idea that dead mold makes you sick. It is actually quite senseless if you really sit back and think it through. Now flash forward to somewhere in the late 90’s when it became obvious to some health practitioners, and some labs alike that bleach did not kill mold. This was huge news- yet nobody hit the reset button and set the record straight. Meanwhile, tear-out business is thriving, and in my opinion, compromising the health of every customer that tries to tear it out on their own or hires someone to do the same.
The Answer
Most still operate under the thought process that we killed the mold with the bleach, but someone was still sick. Therefore we need to tear out as much as possible. There is no testing data, no white paper, or anything that scientifically shows that a dead mold spore can either A- make you sick or, B- become an allergen. Yet the myth remains alive, based on bad information dating back to the 60’s. Another facet of this subject is the confusion between dead mold spores and dormant mold spores. Yes, dormant mold can still make you sick and dormant mold can still be an allergen. Think of dormant as “dehydrated” or dried out mold. Once it is exposed to the right environment, it’s off and running again. The dormant cell is still in-tact. But dead mold is a whole different thing. Dead, by the Pure Maintenance definition, and the microbiological world definition of dead, is accomplished by what is know as lysis. The outer membrane of the cell will fall apart through a process of oxidation.
Denaturing
Additionally, we incorporate a process called denaturing. The definition of denaturing is: destroying the characteristic properties of a protein or biological macro molecule by heat, acidity, or other effects that disrupt the molecular conformation. InstaPURE is an EPA registered sterilant. By the very nature of that registration, it has to kill mold. Once mold has been exposed to InstaPURE, the outer membrane is oxidized and the cell is denatured. It becomes an “inert nothingness”.
by Gus Pullen | May 27, 2022 | Mold
Does mold grow in dry climates?
Yes, unfortunately, mold grows in dry climates. It needs 50 to 60 percent humidity and a food source. The humidity or moisture can be from moisture as common as condensation, and the food source can be as simple as dust on a surface. I once had a customer tell me that their property owner told them that mold can’t grow above 4000 feet (about half the height of Mount St. Helens) in altitude. We have yet to find a mold-free elevation in the contiguous U.S.
How dangerous is indoor mold?
Impossible to answer other than saying it could be dangerous. Every person is different, and every mold is different. Some people react to penicillium, and others react to Chaetomium. Some are bothered by Stachybotrys, and others are not. Couple this with the fact that the toxins that are produced by black mold are often influenced by the food source it’s feeding on. Between an individual’s DNA or health profile and hundreds of combinations of mold, toxins, and MVOC’s (microbial volatile organic compounds) emitted, it is impossible to figure out if what’s in your home is dangerous to one person yet safe for another. The best rule of thumb is to avoid mold whenever possible, and proactively act to prevent and eliminate it in your home, car, and workplace.
Are Pure Maintenance of Texas processes toxic?
No. Pure Maintenance uses what is known as peracetic acid. Peracetic acid is listed as 1 of only 8 antimicrobials that the EPA themselves have listed as a “Safer Choice”. Additionally, the fog emits exceptionally low parts per million during the process. The second step is a proprietary formula that creates a mechanical device on each surface to make the home very inhospitable to mold surviving on any surface of the home. It creates a covalent bond to each surface that cannot come off, cannot off-gas, and simply makes each surface exceedingly difficult for a spore to land on, and survive. It is akin to a balloon landing on a bed of nails.
How long does it take to treat the average home?
An average home will take 3 to 5 hours to treat. We do recommend that customers stay away for a couple of hours before returning, for the vinegar smell to dissipate. Some like it, others would rather “air out” the home for the couple of hours.
I’ve been sick for years, and my healthcare practitioner feels like the mold in my home is making me sick, Is that possible?
Yes, the evidence of indoor mold toxins and associated illness is becoming more mainstream every year. It is no longer just a “hunch” that indoor mold can make people sick. Doctors such as Daniel Pompa, a well-known health practitioner throughout the U.S., are at the forefront of the very personal battle some people have with mold toxicity.
How often will I need to treat my home?
Likely and in most cases, just 1 treatment is sufficient. The long-term effects of creating a very inhospitable home for spores keeps the home from repeating the mold load cycle.
What is the mold load cycle?
The Mold Load Cycle was coined by Pure Maintenance a few years ago. In every home, there exist areas within the home where moisture is present. These areas include but are not limited to windowsills, bathrooms, carpets, drains, clothing, HVAC systems, HVAC humidifiers, air conditioners, etc. The cumulative effect of several small areas that harbor mold, and sporadically (no pun intended) emit spores, creates increased areas that have mold and heavier concentrations in these areas.
Additionally, every home after a few years has the inevitable leak or flood, and some have multiple water events. A traditional remediator will address the area of the water, but the whole home mold elevation or cycle continues. A flood or leak adds to the load, and when addressed may lower it slightly, but only slightly.
Also, because the typical homeowner does not clean with a sterilant or sporicide, and the fact that mold can last for years without food and moisture, the overall “mold load” increases. Every home goes through this, some more intensely than others, but every home goes through the mold load cycle. It is precisely the load elevation or cycle that creates the well-known “grandma and grandpa’ smell in a home. The mildewed moldy smell that we all associate with older homes.
Why does my bathroom ceiling or caulking keep growing mold, even though I clean it?
It is important to understand that in most cases, there is nothing wrong with the bathroom per se. There is something wrong with the entire home. The home has an elevated “Mold Load”. When a home has an elevated load and is going through the oad cycle, the elevated mold and associated spores manifest themselves wherever there is moisture. So yes, you can keep cleaning it, and it will keep coming back. Generally, when a bathroom has evidence of growth, so do the windowsills, so do the drains, and your bread probably molds quickly. Ps, some breads have so many preservatives that this is not a good indicator of mold load.
Why does my front-loading washing machine grow mold so rapidly?
It could be a couple of things. Most notably, the design of front-loading machines does not completely clean the clothes, and the fact that a front-loading door must be sealed to keep water from coming out also keeps fresh air from drying out the moisture between loads. Once this becomes commonplace, you will notice your clothes never smell fresh. In fact, the supermarkets are now stocked with additives for either the washing machines or the dryers to try to get rid of the moldy smell.
Can my “stuff be saved if we have a moldy home?
Yes, that is the beauty of the Pure Maintenance remediation treatment. Everything in the home, along with the home and HVAC system will be fogged. We are often told that this is too good to be true. We believe it’s an awesome treatment!
by Gus Pullen | May 14, 2022 | Mold, UV Light
Simple to Use
You can google UV light and mold and stumble onto a plethora of information and misinformation relative to UV (ultra violet) light and its attempt to control mold. According to the EPA, 92 million Americans live in areas with substandard air quality. Additionally millions are living with poor indoor air quality. The concept of UV mold control sounds great! I can plug in an appliance and all my mold worries simply disappear. Well, it’s not quite that easy. UV light will indeed break up the DNA of mold, which will result in the death of the cell.
Why It’s Not Very Effective
On paper, it makes complete sense. In reality, the light must be within 1-2 inches from the mold to remove just 99 percent of the mold. Couple that with the fact that it takes 2 to 10 seconds to kill the mold that is within 1-2 inches from the light. If you are like me, I am trying to picture the mold spores being “herded” to the light, then “corralling” them for 10 seconds so that the light will do its work. (News Flash – Herding mold and corralling mold is a very difficult thing to do, even for the best cowboys).
Additionally, if we could herd the mold to within 1-2 inches from the light and then corral the spores for 10 seconds, the kill rate is only 99 percent. That’s not great. In fact, assuming that we were able to pull this off, and convince 1 million spores to hang out near the light, and convince them to have a little convention near the light for 10 seconds, there would still be 10,000 surviving spores. So this becomes one of the all time most ineffective ways to control mold in the home.
The Verdict
In conclusion, if you have high mold spore counts in your home or office, this passive attempt is going to be disappointing at best. If you are concerned with air quality, and mold spore counts are elevated in your home or office, Pure Maintenance two step dry fog system is the most effective, most economical method in the world, to return the home or office to safe air quality levels.
Originally Published on 29 March 2019 by Pure Maintenance
by Gus Pullen | May 3, 2022 | CIRS, Health, Mold, Mold Illness
CIRS and Mold Illness
We often run into customers who talk of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). CIRS occurs when there is widespread inflammation caused by a bio-toxin (often mold) in the body that leads to immune system dysfunction.
“Mold illness” is a subcategory of CIRS. This inflammatory process can also be caused by exposure to other bio-toxins, including Lyme disease.
I once had a healthcare practitioner tell me that if you have Lyme Disease, you likely have been in a water-damaged home or building for an extended period. He said millions of people have Lyme Disease with no symptoms until their body has been subjected to mold toxins. This creates an overload on the immune system, and symptoms manifest themselves.
People Are Often Sick For Years
The complex nature of mold illness has caused many patients to go from doctor to doctor, wondering what’s wrong with them. People are often sick for years before ever receiving a diagnosis.
For a long time, there weren’t many answers for people with CIRS. However, recent developments, including studies and improved testing, have offered thousands of people relief.
We now know mold and mycotoxins from water-damaged buildings or homes can cause various health-related issues. A gene encodes a specific protein that gives the body and immune system information about toxins.
25% of the Population, More Likely to Get CIRS
Recent studies have concluded that 25% of the population is more likely to get chronic inflammatory response syndrome because they have inappropriate immune responses and don’t recognize mold toxins as harmful.
Upon entering the body, the toxin is not “tagged” as an enemy. Therefore, instead of the body ridding itself of these harmful toxins, they remain and cause inflammation.
This inflammation manifests itself in all sorts of symptoms. This “inflammatory” umbrella includes fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue syndrome, MS symptoms, brain fog, depression, etc.
Difficult to Diagnose
It’s often difficult for people, including healthcare practitioners, to get to the bottom of their health issues when it is associated with mold. Oftentimes, a traditional family doctor will not even think of the possibility of it being an environmental issue.
It is also further complicated because it is typical for most family members to feel fine. For example, if there is water damage in a house, often only one family member with one of these gene types may become sick, while the rest of the family is unaffected.
This has led to a lot of confusion. Sometimes, the person with CIRS has been accused of making it up or told the symptoms are in their head.
Modern Home Building Techniques
Home-building techniques in the U.S. have dramatically changed in the past 40 years. We have transitioned from plaster walls to sheetrock, with paper as a food source for mold.
We have also introduced more porous building materials to our homes, i.e., particle board, which soaks up the water and creates an ideal breeding ground for mold. Not only that, but we have also decided to be more energy efficient, to wrap our homes tightly.
This may improve the heating and air conditioning costs, but the homes can no longer breathe. This helps mold gain a stronghold in the home. These subtle changes have created widespread elevated mold spore counts in our homes. This can happen even if you have not experienced a flood or leak.
Pure Maintenance of Texas
With Pure Maintenance of Texas, you can rid your home of mold and bacteria in as little as 4–6 hours. Our unique process will bring the levels back to a safe level - lower than outdoor air. Get peace of mind that your family is surrounded by clean air, fast. Contact us today!
