Comment from Doug Rice PhD

[Guest guest]

I remember someone posting Mr Rice name as an expert on mold. I was just reading

some of what he says about mold and he comments on dead mold.

A. Rice, Ph.D.

Laboratory Director

Environmental Microbiology

Industrial Hygiene

Colorado State University

Environmental Health Services

E-mail: drice@...

#7

Dead mold is just as nasty as living mold

Mold experts are separated by a wide margin over the question, " Is Dead Mold

Really Dead. " One camp feels that disinfectants should never be used since the

dead spores will always contain allergens or toxins. Simply leaving mold inside

of a wall will provide a constant source of viable spores for millennia. They

cite the presence of spores in the pyramids as proof.

In reality, spores will not live forever and the allergens and toxins present

on the spore coat will oxidize over time. Ironically, oxygen is the critical

component of life for most organisms and yet it eventually destroys all organic

material through oxidation. The spores survived in jars and tombs of the

pyramids because oxygen was not present. According to Dr. Harriet Burge, a

purified mold allergen extract, used in desensitizing treatments, will maintain

potency for a month. Mold desiccated in the environment could maintain

allergenicity for three to four month. Likewise, toxins will slowly oxidize over

time lose potency and effectiveness.

Finally, the presence of toxins is not guaranteed. Just because Stachybotrys

is growing in an environment does not prove the presence of the toxins. In order

to produce a toxin, the mold colony must have the genetic ability to produce

toxins, all of the necessary chemical precursors to build the toxins, and ideal

environmental conditions of water and nutrient. Building materials and

furnishings are not ideal substrates for the toxigenic molds and the dreaded

toxins may not even be present.

Bob

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