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The truth about Bleach
BY jIM & rYAN jOHNSON
OF mOLDfINDERS
The
object to killing mold is
to kill mold at its “roots”.
Mold remediation involves the
need to disinfect wood and wood-based building materials, all of which are
porous materials. Thus, chlorine bleach should not be used in mold
remediation as confirmed by OSHA’s Mold Remediation/Clean Up Methods
guidelines. The use of bleach as a mold disinfectant is best left to kitchen
and bathroom countertops, tubs and shower glass, etc.
Chlorine Bleach does kill bacteria and kill viruses, but has not been proven
effective in killing molds on non-porous surfaces.
Bleach itself is 99% water. Water is
one of the main contributors of the growth of harmful bacteria and mold.
Current situations using bleach re-grew and regenerated mold and bacteria
twice the CFU counts than were originally found before bleaching, within a
short period of time. Bleach is an old method used for some bacteria and
mold. It is the only product people have known for years. The strains now
associated within Indoor Air quality issues are resistant to the methods our
grandmothers employed to clean-up mold.
What potential mold 'killing' power chlorine bleach might have, is
diminished significantly
as the bleach sits in warehouses, on
grocery store shelves or inside your home or business 50% loss in killing
power in just the first 90 days inside a never opened jug or container.
Chlorine constantly escapes through the plastic walls of its containers.
The
ionic structure of bleach prevents Chlorine from penetrating into porous
materials such as drywall and wood---it
just stays on the outside surface, whereas mold has enzyme roots growing
inside the porous construction materials---however, the water content
penetrates and actually FEEDS the mold---this is why a few days later you
will notice darker, more concentrated mold growing (faster) on the bleached
area.
Chlorine Bleach accelerates the deterioration of materials
and wears down the fibers of porous
materials.
Chlorine Bleach is NOT registered with the EPA as a disinfectant to kill
mold.
You can verify this important fact for
yourself when you are unable to find an EPA registration number for killing
mold on the label of any brand of chlorine bleach.
Chlorine bleach off gases for a period of time.
Chlorine off gassing can be harmful to
humans and animals. It has been known to cause pulmonary embolisms in low
resistant, and susceptible people.
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 re- start the contamination process immediately and
to a greater degree.
Chlorine is a key component of DIOXIN.
One of the earliest findings of
dioxin's toxicity in animals was that it caused birth defects in mice at
very low levels. This finding led to dioxin being characterized as "one of
the most potent teratogenic environmental agents". The first evidence that
dioxin causes cancer came from several animal studies completed in the late
1970's. The most important of these, published in 1978 by a team of
scientists from Dow Chemical Company, led by Richard Kociba, found liver
cancer in rats exposed to very low levels of dioxin. This study helped
establish dioxin as one of the most potent animal carcinogens ever tested
and, together with the finding of birth defects in mice, led to the general
statement that dioxin is the "most toxic synthetic chemical known to man."
Opposing
Views and Confusion.
Chlorine bleach, commonly referred to
as laundry bleach, is generally perceived to be an “accepted and answer-all”
biocide to abate mold in the remediation processes. Well-intentioned
recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other
federal, state and local agencies are perpetuating that belief. And
confusing the issue is one federal agency, the Occupational Health and
Safety Administration (OSHA), taking an opposing point of view by NOT
recommending the use of chlorine bleach as a routine practice in mold
remediation.
Does
Bleach Really Kill Mold?
Will chlorine bleach kill mold or
not—yes or no? The answer is yes, but with a caveat. That answer comes from
The Clorox Company, Oakland CA, manufacturer and distributor of Ultra
Clorox® Regular Bleach. The company’s correspondence to Spore°Tech Mold
Investigations, LLC stated that their Tech Center studies supported by
independent laboratories show that “…3/4 cup of Clorox liquid bleach per
gallon of water will be effective on hard, non-porous surfaces
against…
Aspergillus niger and
Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Athlete’s Foot Fungus)”. Whether or
not chlorine bleach kills other molds and fungi, the company did not say.
The words “hard, non-porous” surfaces” present the caveat.
Mold remediation involves the need to disinfect wood and wood-based
building materials, all of which are porous materials. Thus, chlorine bleach
should not be used in mold remediation as confirmed by OSHA’s Mold
Remediation/ Clean Up Methods guidelines. The use of bleach as a mold
disinfectant is best left to kitchen and bathroom countertops, tubs and
shower glass, etc.
Why
Chlorine Bleach is NOT Recommended for Mold Remediation.
Chlorine bleach (sodium
hypochlorite) is corrosive and that fact is stated on the product label. Yet
the properties of chlorine bleach prevent it from “soaking into” wood-based
building materials to get at the deeply embedded
mycilia (roots) of mold. The object to killing mold is to kill
its “roots”. Reputable mold remediation contractors use
appropriate products that effectively disinfect salvageable mold infected
wood products. Beware of any mold inspector or mold remediation company that
recommends or uses chlorine bleach for mold clean up on wood-based building
materials.
Chlorine
Bleach Is Active Ingredient in New Mold & Mildew Products.
The appearance of new mold and mildew
household products on store shelves is on the rise. Most are dilute
solutions of laundry bleach. The labels on these mold and mildew
products state that they are for use on (again) hard, non-porous
surfaces and not for wood-based materials. Instructions where not
to apply the products are varied. A few examples where the branded products
should not be applied include wood or painted surfaces, aluminum products,
metal (including stainless steel), faucets, marble, natural stone, and, of
course, carpeting, fabrics and paper. One commercial mold and mildew
stain remover even specifically states it should not be applied to
porcelain or metal without immediate rinsing with water and that the product
isn’t recommended for use on formica or vinyl.
Before purchasing a mold
and mildew product, read and fully understand the advertised purpose of that
product — and correctly follow the use instructions of a purchased product.
The labeling claims on these new products can be confusing — some say their
product is a mold and mildew remover while another says their
product is a mildew stain remover and yet others make similar
'ambiguous' claims. Make double sure that the product satisfies your
intended need on the surface to which it is to be applied. If your intention
is to kill mold, make sure the product does exactly that and follow the
directions for usage. Consumers may find that mixing their own diluted
bleach solution will achieve the same results as any of the new mold and
mildew products — keep in mind that the use of chlorine bleach is not for
use on mold infected wood products including wall board, ceiling tiles, wall
studs, fabric, paper products, etc.
Conclusion
Laundry bleach is not an
effective mold killing agent for wood-based building materials and
NOT EFFECTIVE in the mold remediation process. OSHA is the first
federal agency to announce a departure from the use of chlorine bleach in
mold remediation. In time, other federal agencies are expected to follow
OSHA’s lead. The public should be aware, however, that a chlorine bleach
solution IS an effective sanitizing product that kills mold on
hard surfaces and neutralizes
indoor mold allergens that trigger allergies.
WARNING: Never mix
chlorine with ammonia products,
as the result is extremely toxic.
Using bleach can cause serious
health problems.
The fumes are very caustic and great
care must be taken
not to breath it in too much.
It is also very damaging to clothing
and carpeting,
the human body, and the environment.
Never mix chlorine with ammonia products, as the result is extremely toxic.
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