Protecting Your Health When Removing Black Mold
There are different types of black molds, and they can be easily categorized into two: one is the non-toxic kind, and the second one, is highly toxic. Non-toxic black mold lives in non-cellulose materials such as ceramic tiles, aluminum sinks, plastics and glass. However, toxic black mold is that black build-up on materials with cellulose such as gypsumboard paper, cardboard, wood and other porous materials. So, if you plan to do some black mold removal, you will want to first figure out which one you are dealing with.
Not every black colored mold in materials containing cellulose produces deadly mycotoxin. In fact, most of the time, these are just harmless black molds. But just to be sure, you should take precautionary measures when you are in the process of black mold removal.
First, wear a mask. Toxic black mold enters our body through respiration. To create an immediate barrier between you and the spores, wear a highly efficient, filter type dust mask.
Second, use an air purifier when you are doing the cleaning. Air purifiers can remove spores from the air, lowering your chances of inhaling toxic spores even when you are wearing a mask.
Third, spray a disinfectant on the surface. Black mold removal is hard to accomplish on a dry surface. A disinfectant spray can do two good things for you:
- You will moisten the area, making scrubbing easier to do.
- You will kill germs and bacteria on the surface and may even help kill the black molds in the process.
Next, have a durable waste bag with you. If you find black mold in a cellulose material, discard that material, if it is possible (like cardboards, paper, boxes). However, if the black mold has stuck itself on a fixed area, you should wipe the area off with heavy duty tissue paper and throw it in the waste bag. Then secure the waste bag tightly so that if spores are airborne in the bag, there is little chance that these toxic spores will come out and harm you and your family.
Lastly, ask your family to vacate the premises while you are in the process of eliminating hard-to-remove black mold and possibly, one of those highly toxic ones.
Category: Mold Removal Tips