Toxic Mold is mold that produces Mycotoxins or MVOC’s (Mold Volatile Organic Compounds). Mycotoxins are toxins or fungal poisons that a toxic mold species gives off into the breathable air.

Mold Color alone is not an indication of a Mycotoxin producing species of mold. Toxic and non-toxic mold can be found in all colors of the rainbow. They can both be found in colors ranging from: white, blue, purple, green, black, etc. in color. The most famous of toxic molds is Stachybotrys, this is the mold species most often referred to as Toxic Black Mold, and this mold can even be very dark green in color.

HEPA stands for “High Efficiency Particulate Air”. These filters are rated to capture 99.97% of particles at .3 microns in size. Most mold spores range in size from 3 – 100 microns and some are as small as 1 micron. Thus making a HEPA filter necessary and ideal for effective capture of mold spores.

Air Scrubbers are machines that incorporate large fans or blowers that pull air through their large HEPA filters. Allowing for large amounts of spore capture.

Negative Air is a technique where Air Scrubbers are used to create a “vacuum” or negative pressure inside of a containment area. “Containment Area” is where the mold has been contained to usually via thick plastic sheeting. This vacuum or negative pressure will:

1. Constantly draw clean air into the containment area further preventing cross contamination.
2. Control and direct air flow directly into the Air Scrubber capturing air born particles of mold, dust, etc.

Dehumidifiers, commonly referred to as “Dehus” – A dehumidifier is a machine that removes moisture/humidity from the air. These are first used to bring humidity levels down to a range not favorable for mold growth and to then maintain those lower humidity levels for mold growth prevention and to also maintain a healthy home during the remediation process.