Killing Mold

A mycotoxin is a toxic chemical produced by mode fungus, including mushrooms, molds, and yeasts. The term ‘mycotoxin’ is usually reserved for the relatively small amount of toxic chemical products formed as secondary metabolites by fungi that readily colonize crops in the field or after harvest. Most fungi use oxygen and are found almost everywhere in extremely small quantities due to the minute size of their spores. They consume organic matter wherever humidity and temperature are sufficient. One mold species may produce many different mycotoxins and/or the same mycotoxin as another species.

Where conditions are right, fungi proliferate into colonies and mycotoxin levels become high. The reason for the production of mycotoxins is most likely to be part of the molds defense mechanism and is dependent on the surrounding environment. The toxins vary greatly in their toxicity, depending on the organism infected and its susceptibility, metabolism, and defense mechanisms. Some of the health effects found in animals and humans include death, identifiable diseases or health problems, weakened immune systems without specificity to a toxin, and as allergens or irritants. Some mycotoxins are harmful to other micro-organisms such as other fungi or even bacteria; penicillin is one example.

Mycotoxins can appear in the food chain as a result of fungal infection of crops, either by being eaten directly by humans, or by being used as livestock feed. Mycotoxins resist decomposition or being broken down in digestion, so they remain in the food chain in meat and dairy products. Even temperature treatments, such as cooking and freezing, do not destroy most mycotoxins.

Although various wild mushrooms contain an assortment of poisons that are definitely fungal metabolites causing noteworthy health problems for humans, they are rather arbitrarily excluded from discussions of mycotoxicology. In such cases the distinction is based on the size of the producing fungus and human intention. Mycotoxin exposure is almost always accidental, however, improper identification and ingestion of toxic mushrooms will cause mushroom poisoning. Ingestion of misidentified mushrooms containing mycotoxins may result in hallucinations. The cyclopeptide-produced Amanita phalloide is well known for its toxic potential and is responsible for approximately 90% of all mushroom fatalities. The other primary mycotoxin groups found in mushrooms include: orellanine, monomethylhydrazine, disulfiram-like, hallucinogenic indoles, muscarinic, isoxazole, and gastrointestinal specific irritants.

Even after careful and through mold remediation that removes the fungus and spores, the Mycotoxins remain and should be dealt with separately. Most of the time, wiping a formerly mold infested area with water, detergent and ammonia does the job of Mycotoxins though not always.

If you have mold fungus growing in one or more of your living spaces (home, office, car, factory, boat, garage, yard, etc. ) there are a relative small number of alternatives available to you in terms of remediation and relief.

1. Doing a full tilt commercial mold remediation is  very likely to be the most expensive, running into the thousands of dollars, and forever taint your property as being mold infected. This is because there are a relative few products that are actually capable of killing mold and more importantly mold spores without being excessively toxic. Because these products are liquid there is a good chance that there be additional water damage and a poisonous powder residue. Finally most commercial mold remediation companies insist that you dispose of most of the paper and fabric materials in your home. If the mold problem is anyplace but your property this is not a real alternative.
2. Believe it or not, chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite (NaClO)) or even pool shock are not amongst the chemicals that will kill mold (though under the proper conditions they can make you pretty sick because it is poison). Even the oxygen cleaners like Oxiclean (sodium percarbonate (C₂H₆Na₄O₁₂)) does not kill mold fungus or spores. Both will wash away the current growth but will not kill the roots or spores that are left behind to bloom later.
3. There are many other chemicals that will kill mold fungus but most are not very friendly and some are down right bad and should not be used by home owners or professionals.
4. SporiClean enzyme cleaner is a very effective product. Careful reading of the application instructions indicate that it is very effective, however it is a liquid and the problems associated with liquids apply.  Used to remove mold from exterior surfaces is very save, fast and effective however, when used inside a building very much care should be exercised. When using the recommended foggier full HAZMAT garb is required to protect you form the product. Again this is not an alternative outside your property.
5. OdorXit CLO2 chlorine dioxide gas fungicide and odor eliminator. Careful reading of the application instructions indicate that it is extremely effective in enclosed spaces.  Using the proper sized product for the space being treated is essential to safe and effective mold, and mold spore removal without further damaging the the material the mold is growing on. Care must be taken to remove the dead mold powder because it is very often more toxic than the mold and spores were. Carefully wiping the dust away with a rag dampened with a mixture of water, liquid dish washing detergent and ammonia is all that is necessary. This can be used anywhere safely.
6. Ozone Generators are not new but they produce small and sometimes large quantities of ozone gas (O3) that is a very strong oxidizer (probably the strongest).  It will oxidize anything that will react with oxygen including mold, spores and many odors, plastics, carpeting, paint, skin, and other body parts. Aside from the fact that the US EPA has decided that there is no safe level of exposure to this very toxic gas, using ozone in a residential application is taking a considerable risk of damaging you house and impairing your health.  The Canadian Health authority has also spoken on ozone.

There are a few more obscure and/or dangerous  methods, but the main choises available are listed above. Now the hard part is choosing between them.

If  your mold problem is on someone elses turn (work) you are really limited to what you can use to decontaminate your personal area.  Boats and cars are another place the commercial people have serious problems fixing.