High heat can kill mold infestation

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http://www.insidevc.com/vcs/county_news/article/0,1375,VCS_226_2076345,00.html

High heat can kill mold infestation But treatment requires expert to do it right By Terri , Guest writerJune 29, 2003 Mold (fungi) spores are present virtually everywhere. But new research and documentation is beginning to see health problems associated with mold in our homes and work environments. The exposure to mold, and the bacteria that can live with it, has been linked to cough, congestion, eye or sinus irritation, rashes, headaches, and the aggravation of asthma, depending upon the amount of exposure and a person's individual vulnerability. Mold growth requires basically three things: air, a food source such as wood, drywall, or dust, and moisture. When you remove any side of the "Mold Triangle," it cannot grow. Consistent housekeeping and maintenance can control the growth of mold, but when mold gets out of hand, professional remediation is necessary to safely remove the contamination. Should you suspect you have a mold problem, there are four things that may need to be stopped to restore healthy indoor air quality:

Moisture or Water Intrusion. Most mold growth results from abnormally high levels of indoor moisture.

Mold Growth. The physical removal of any accessible colonies and the killing of inaccessible mold and spores are necessary for complete remediation.

Bacterial Contamination. Bacteria that can affect your health are often found living on wet building materials along with mold. Both must be eliminated.

Insect Infestations. Certain mold spores can cling to insects as they walk through mold growth. Insects thrive in damp areas and will spread the mold spores within a building.

A new technology that utilizes clean, dry, odorless heat has proven to be successful in treating structures for toxic mold, termites and other microorganisms. The concept, which should be performed only by professionals, is similar to pasteurization. First, a plastic containment barrier is erected to confine the mold spores, as they can become airborne when disturbed during cleaning. A vacuum is created using HEPA filtered negative air machines to eliminate outbound leaks in the containment and capture any airborne spores. Then, the mold contamination is physically removed. Damaged building materials are also removed and other surfaces are thoroughly cleaned. Finally, the clean, dry heat, generated by EPA-registered equipment, is directed into the containment through flexible Mylar ducting and the inside air is slowly raised to a safe "sauna-like" temperature that is lethal to mold, bacteria and insects. To ensure the temperature is maintained at levels that are lethal to the target organisms, digital thermometers monitor inside ambient and surface temperatures. The heating process kills the inaccessible mold, bacteria and insects for a higher level of cleanliness. The heating process also helps dry out the building, making it less conducive to mold and bacterial growth. As an added benefit, heat treatment also eliminates odors. Once the desired temperature has been maintained for the specified time, the cool-down begins. Since no toxic chemicals are used, the technicians can enter and monitor the treated area, and no harmful residues are left to contaminate the air or surfaces. To learn more about heat treatment for mold and companies that perform this service in Ventura County, contact at Precision Environmental at 648-6999 or visit www.precisionenv.com.