Mold and Mycotoxin Myths

Myth #1: Bleach Kills All Mold

It’s true that bleach kills mold, but it can only be 100% effective on non-porous surfaces like glass, tiles, and some countertops. Although most surfaces look to the naked eye to be completely solid, there are actual microscopic pores on many surfaces (drywall, wood, or fabric being a few of these). Mold roots, also known as mycelium, can grow into these pores deep beneath the surface. This means that even if you thoroughly clean a surface with the strongest of bleach, the roots of the mold can still exist in the microscopic pores of the surface where the bleach cannot penetrate, which will eventually allow it to regrow. This is why professional removal and moisture control are critical for complete mold remediation.

Myth #2: If You Can’t See Mold, It’s Not a Problem

Mold is microscopic, and can often grow in unseen places: behind walls, under flooring, in HVAC systems, or in tiny cracks and crevices within your home. Even if these spots of mold growth are small, some types of mold release mycotoxins into the air that can be harmful to your health. If there happens to mold growth in an unseen place in your home, the only way to be able to detect it with any certainty is with professional air quality testing. Many people experience health issues long before they ever locate mold growth in their home.

Myth #3: Mold is Harmless Unless It’s “Black Mold”

Stachybotrys (commonly known as “black mold”) is dangerous to human health: the mycotoxins it produces can cause respiratory issues, fatigue, skin irritation, and even neurological symptoms. But it is far from the only mold that can pose a risk to your health. Many other molds besides black mold can trigger allergies, asthma, and other toxic effects. Professional mold testing will look for the presence of all mold and mycotoxin types, to give you a complete and accurate picture of the health of your home.

Myth #4: DIY Mold Testing is Just as Good as Professional Testing

We’ve covered this topic more in depth in another blog article, but the long and short of it is that at-home testing kits are often as unreliable as they are cheap. Because not all mold is harmful and there is always some level of mold spores present in your air, at-home kits commonly give false-positives. As if that weren’t enough, DIY testing kits also often fail to detect hidden mold growing in unseen places like behind walls or in an attic. Professional testing, on the other hand, uses other methods in addition to air samples, like infrared cameras and moisture detectors, to sniff out stealthier mold that may be hiding in your home. The professional interpretation of the test results are also critical to determine whether any mold or mycotoxins found in your home are actually posing a risk to you.

Myth #5: Mold Will Go Away If You Just Dry Out the Area

Drying out a space can help stop mold from growing more, but it cannot kill mold spores. Once mold has grown in an area, the spores are incredibly resilient and can remain dormant for long periods of time. This means that once moisture returns to the area, those once-dormant spores are ready to reactivate. Additionally, the health risk posed to people from mold actually comes not from the mold itself, but from the mycotoxins that the mold produces. These also remain in an area regardless of if a space has been completely dried out or not. This is why professional remediation is so important when trying to protect the health and safety of you or your family.

Myth #6: Air Purifiers Alone Can Solve a Mold Problem

Air purifiers can be very helpful in reducing the number of airborne mold spores in your home by trapping them in high-efficiency filters (you can learn more about which ones are best in this blog). Reducing the number of spores in the air can help improve the air quality of a space, which may help mitigate allergies or respiratory issues. However, air purifiers can not eliminate mold colonies because they do nothing to address the source of the mold growth. Mold will continue to grow in your home unless the root cause – often excess moisture – is solved, and the proper remediation steps are taken to ensure that all mold has been cleaned and removed from the colony. Instead, air purifiers are best used as a single part of a larger, comprehensive mold prevention strategy.

Myth #7: Mycotoxins Are Only a Concern in Large-Scale Mold Infestations

While not all molds release mycotoxins, the ones that do can release these dangerous chemicals from even the smallest of growths. Additionally, even a small amount of mycotoxins in the air can cause serious adverse health issues, especially with prolonged exposure. This is why proper and professional testing and remediation is crucial to making sure that your home is free from hazardous chemicals or mold.

With so many mold and mycotoxin myths out there, it’s important to seek reputable professionals who can provide you with accurate information. If you are experiencing unresolved health issues or think you may have mold growth in your Savannah, GA home, reach out and get your testing scheduled today. Don’t take a risk with your health.