When full protection is required, a body suit of breathable material, such as TYVEK®, and mold-impervious disposable head and foot coverings should be used. All gaps, such as those around ankles and wrists, should be sealed. (Many remediators use duct tape to seal clothing.)
Wear protective gloves (non-latex, vinyl, nitrile, or rubber). Do not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands. Protect your eyes. Wear goggles that provide complete eye protection.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Non-vented goggles. Long gloves (e.g., overlapping the sleeves) made of an impermeable material that will protect workers from chemicals used for surface cleaning and skin contact with mold. Long hard-toe rubber boots.
Mold hates light. Other than moisture there's nothing mold loves more than dark places. An easy prevention against mold growth is opening your blinds and shades. If it's warm enough out, open the windows.
Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.
In fact, the CDC recommends that if you suspect there is mold growth in your home, use personal protection and protect your mouth and nose by wearing an N95 mask. Preventing inhalation of small mold particles can reduce the health risk associated with toxic mold.
Indoor air sampling kits are the next step up from DIY mold testing. Air sampling kits generally include an air pump and containers for collected air. After collecting the samples, users mail them to a laboratory for analysis.
Mold's biggest weakness? Moving air. Mold thrives on moisture and stagnant conditions, but airflow is its natural enemy. By keeping air circulating in your home, you can prevent mold from taking hold.
Mold-resistant drywall, also known as green board or purple board, is specially designed to inhibit mold growth. It contains fiberglass facing that offers enhanced protection against moisture, making it an ideal choice for areas prone to high humidity such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Wear gloves and eye protection. Follow the recommended mold cleaning and removal steps to minimize dust dispersal (see Moldy Non-porous and Semi-porous Materials and Moldy Porous Materials).
Mold spores live both outside and inside and can attach themselves to shoes and clothing.
We recommend the Pyramex G704T Chemical Splash Goggles. They are economical, and their low-profile design generally doesn't get in the way of respirators. If you have questions about mold remediation, please give us a call or contact us online at pksafety.com.
Activated Charcoal: Absorbs toxins, potentially helping to clear mold spores from your system. Take it in capsule form to absorb toxins. It's best used under medical supervision, especially after known mold exposure.
How harmful is black mold? Evidence suggests that black mold is no more dangerous than other types of mold. However, exposure to black mold can cause some people to experience allergy symptoms. Black mold exposure may lead to more serious complications in people with underlying health conditions.
By using respirators, gloves, eye and face protection, coveralls and boots, mold remediation experts can protect themselves from the harmful effects of mold while they work to remove it from buildings.
An N95 mask protects you from breathing in small particles in the air such as dust and mold. It is designed to filter out at least 95% of the dust and mold in the air.
If you have a mold allergy, your immune system overreacts when you breathe in mold spores. A mold allergy can cause coughing, itchy eyes and other symptoms that make you miserable. In some people, a mold allergy is linked to asthma and exposure causes restricted breathing and other airway symptoms.
Mix a solution that's equal parts white vinegar and cold water in a spray bottle. Spray or apply the vinegar and water mixture directly to the moldy areas. Using a scrub brush with a long handle, scrub the moldy areas vigorously in a circular motion. Continue scrubbing until you remove the mold stains.
Most yeasts and molds are heat-sensitive and destroyed by heat treatments at temperatures of 140-160°F (60-71°C). Some molds make heat-resistant spores, however, and can survive heat treatments in pickled vegetable products. These molds, however, require oxygen to grow.