Mold PPE Stands For Mold Personal Protective Equipment And What It Is

If you are conducting a mold remediation job in your home or in your business, then the mold spores will become airborne and the risk of breathing these spores in becomes a much higher. Anything that can stir up the mold spores is something that should be avoided unless you are wearing a respirator, which you should be wearing, anyway. What can stir up mold spores? Breaking up any porous material that is contaminated with mold, peeling or stripping wallpaper to remove it, using any invasive procedure to look for mold inside a wall, and using household fans or air conditioners to dry wet items can stir up these spores. If you are planning on doing anything like this and not hiring a professional, please wear a respirator.

The minimum amount of PPE that should be used when you are cleaning up after mold is an N-95 respirator. This device will cover your mouse and nose and will keep out about 95 percent of any particles in the air around you. These are available in most general hardware stores.

If you are looking for something a little stronger, then a full or half-face APR (air purifying respirator) that has a HEPA filter on it is something you might want to consider. Make sure that the respirator you purchase is approved for use by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. It should be noted that these do not protect your eyes.

If you are in a situation where there is a large amount of mold growth and you will need a long amount of time to remove it, then you will want and need a powered air purifying respirator. These are full-face and use a blower to force the air through a HEPA filter that will collect any mold spores that are in the air. You must be trained to use this kind of respirator and the usage of it must be in compliance with the regulations of OSHA.

Some disposable clothing will be needed while you are cleaning up mold. If you are on a serious budget and it is not that much mold to deal with, you can use some disposable paper towels. If you are not on a budget, then some disposable foot and head coverings and a body suit made of something breathable, like TYVEK should be used. There will be gaps around the wrists and ankles and these need to be sealed up with something such as duct tape.


Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
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Mold Cleanup Techniques

There are a variety of different methods that can be used to clean up mold in a household or a business, but depending on the kind of material that is affected, you might want to use one over the other. Some professional mold removers might use techniques that they have developed on their own and if it is not listed here, it does not mean that it is not an effective technique for mold removal.

Using a wet vacuum is one method that can be used. These are vacuum cleaners that are specially designed to collect liquids from a hardwood floor, concrete, carpet, and etcetera. Any surface where water has started to accumulate and simply stand is where these vacuums can be used. They should not be used on porous materials, however, like gypsum boards. Use them only when the area is still wet, because it might spread mold spores if it is not sufficient. Clean and dry the equipment after each use, since mold and its spores can stick to these surfaces.

Using a damp cloth to wipe mold away from nonporous surfaces such as a countertop or a vinyl floor can be effective in getting rid of mold, but using mold killing chemicals is essential. Dry these surfaces as quickly as you can after you finish so that mold does not re-start growing in the area that you just finished cleaning. The instructions for any mold and fungus killing chemicals should be followed completely and if you have any porous materials that have become contaminated with mold, you will want to throw these away. Mold can usually not be completely removed from these items.

A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is something that you should invest in whether you are a homeowner or someone who rents a building. Even if you do not suspect mold contamination, this will help keep the air in your home cleaner. When used after cleaning up mold, it will collect the mold spores and will not redistribute them into the air. After being used to clean up after a mold removal, the filter and the contents of the vacuum need to be disposed of in some well-sealed plastic bags. Always wear a respirator and gloves when handling this material and do not let it get on your skin. Avoid stirring up the contents of the vacuum.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
Chicago Water and Sewage Extraction and other states and cities such as
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Bleach Is No Mold Murderer, Bleach Does Not Always kill Mold

In my minds eye I can still see the little spots of mold on the ceiling above the shower of my childhood home.

I can still smell the bleach that my father sprayed on the mold. And I can still see the mold reappear soon after.

We all dry our hair before going out in the cold so we dont get pneumonia. We all wear clean underwear in case we are in a car accident. We all attack mold growth with bleach to kill it.

Well, wet hair does not cause pneumonia. The police, paramedics and doctors wont really look at your underwear, and chlorine bleach is ineffective in killing mold.

Bleach may help with temporary mold removal, but it will win no awards for mold remediation. Due to its dilution, bleach is too weak to eradicate mold permanently, especially if the surface is anything other that a hard, non-porous one.

Surprisingly, bleach will become more and more dilute even in an unopened container. There is an approximate 50% dilution in only 3 months as it sits on the store shelf or in the cabinet beneath your kitchen sink.

Chlorine cannot penetrate porous materials due to its ionic structure. So, if bleach is sprayed on wood for instance, only the water in the solution soaks in, as the chlorine remains on the surface. This only accomplishes further mold growth.

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) does not list bleach as a disinfectant of mold. Other agencies have referred to bleach as a poor cleaning agent.

So bleach is out. What is in? The fancy terms relating to getting rid of mold include mold removal, mold remediation, mold mitigation and mold abatement. They all sound wonderful, but how are they actually accomplished?

Current recommendations include containing the mold, killing it, removing it, and finally, protecting against future infestation.

First off, any sources of water (molds lifeline) must be located and discontinued. This may necessitate water extraction or possibly water damage restoration.

Fungicide should then be used to kill any mold and to prevent its recurrence. The next step is to clean and remove as much of the mold as possible. Even dead, mold can trigger an allergic response in some people.

Finally, protection against further infestation can be accomplished by cleaning, maintenance, and regular inspection of the common sources of mold growth.

Many people choose to remediate their mold problem on their own. It is important to remember the dangerous health risks associated with exposure to mold. It is not overkill to wear protective gear including gloves, mask and bodysuit.

Goggles have even been recommended. So as you suit up and get ready to get rid of that mold, leave your spray bottle of chlorine bleach behind. It has been acquitted on all.

Jim Corkern is a writer and promoter of quality
flood water damage restoration chicago and
mold remediation companies across the united states.