Is toxic black mold lurking in your home renovation project?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the dangers of toxic black mold (TBM) encountered during home renovation projects. The participant experienced health issues after exposure to TBM while removing drywall without proper protective gear. Key recommendations include using an industrial-grade respirator with filters rated for toxic molds, sealing off work areas, and disposing of contaminated materials in double plastic bags. It is crucial to confirm the presence of TBM through testing and to consider professional help for safe removal and remediation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of toxic black mold (TBM) and its health effects
  • Knowledge of proper safety equipment, including industrial-grade respirators
  • Familiarity with mold remediation techniques and protocols
  • Awareness of the importance of sealing and disposing of contaminated materials
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the health effects of Stachybotrys chartarum, the mold species commonly referred to as toxic black mold
  • Learn about effective mold remediation strategies and best practices
  • Investigate the use of sealants and paints that can prevent mold regrowth
  • Explore guidelines for safely disposing of hazardous materials during home renovations
USEFUL FOR

Homeowners, DIY renovators, contractors, and anyone involved in mold remediation or home safety will benefit from this discussion.

  • #31
Moonbear said:
Oh, the other sneaky thing is when they actually sell the bulk items at a higher unit cost than the individual or smaller items. People just assume buying in bulk is cheaper, but it isn't always.

Yep! I often do the shopping, and like you, a visit to the grocery store is an exercise in arithmetic. And I find the same thing. They play every sort of game imaginable, all designed to trick you into spending more for less, but by law they have to post the unit price [per oz. or whatever] and you can always tell the best deals; as long as items like bleach still list the concentrations! I looked again and there is nothing on this Safeway brand bottle. Hmmm, I might just do a little checking on this. I really don't think that's legal.
 
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  • #32
Moonbear said:
Yeah, I noticed that recently. I was looking for just cheap bleach to whiten the driveway and sidewalks (it also worked a heck of a lot better than all those expensive herbicides for killing off the weeds growing in the driveway cracks) and was comparing concentrations on the different generic bleaches and realized they are calling "ultra" bleach the 5% stuff now,

It turns out that I was using Clorox in the bathroom. I had grabbed the bottle from the laundry room, but the bottle in the bathroom was purchased quite some time ago for the well stock. It's a 6% mixture.
 
  • #33
Boy, I found this mixture at a site for remodeling; lost the link but it appeared to be a respectable site.

2/3 cup of trisodium phosphate
1/3 cup of detergent
1 quart of house holds bleach
Enough water to make a gallon
Caution: Wear rubber gloves

One other interesting note about the biblical reference. Just by chance I checked another version, and apparently the "spreading mildew" [TBM] was considered to be a form of "house leprosy".