The Truth About Black Mold and Toxic Mold

The Truth About Black Mold and Toxic Mold Project X Restoration DenverHere at Project X Restoration in Denver, we want to share the truth about black mold and toxic mold. Just the words “black mold” are enough to make you feel queasy. No one wants mold in their home and black molds and toxic molds can be particularly harmful to your health. If you suspect that you may have these molds in your home or business, it is important to contact a professional to remove it.

Toxic Molds and Black Molds

The term black mold is fairly misleading. People use the term “black mold” to refer to all mold and they use the term interchangeably with toxic mold. For professionals, there is only one black mold: Stachybotrys atra, which is also known as Stachybotrys chartarum. The weird part? This mold is actually a greenish black and can even be gray. There are over 100,000 types of mold, but only this one is the “real” black mold.

Mycotoxins

“Toxic mold” is also a misleading term. Because of the term, “toxic,” people think that the mold is poisonous. The mold itself is actually toxigenic. This means the mold produces toxins. The toxins attach to spores and float away in search of a new place to reside. Unfortunately, when these toxins are inhaled they can be harmful.

The truth about black mold and toxic mold is that mold spores aren’t released unless they are disturbed, and the mold doesn’t produce the toxins constantly. While this can provide some comfort, you really do not want mold to be allowed to grow in your home. If you find mold, you will want to have the mold remediated as soon as possible. Molds are particularly dangerous for people with mold allergies and compromised immune systems.

Black Mold Signs

A musty smell that is similar to dirt and rotting leaves is a sign of mold. Black mold or Stachybotrys is particularly strong smelling. Molds prefer moderate temperatures, darkness, and moisture. A combination of factors is an ideal environment for mold to grow.

If you have the kind of strong earthy smell in your home, you likely have a mold problem. If you know that areas of your home have moisture issues, or maybe you have had a flood in your basement recently, you should consider having it checked. If you suspect that you have a mold issue, you should call a mold removal and remediation services professional.

Testing

It is impossible to tell for sure which kind of mold you have. You could test to be sure, but the reality is that any kind of mold can create health issues in the long run and it will need to be removed and be mitigated to avoid reoccurrence. Mold removal is a must, regardless of the type.

Now that you know the truth about black mold and toxic mold, contact us here at Project X Restoration, serving Denver metro and Colorado. We can figure out whether you have a mold issue and get it removed for you quickly and safely so that you can rest easier and avoid potential health hazards.

How to Choose a Biohazard Cleanup Service

How to Choose a Biohazard Cleanup ServiceWhen a tragedy or disaster occurs, knowing how to choose a biohazard cleanup service is incredibly important. Here at Project X Restoration in Denver, we want to share a few helpful tips so that if you ever need a biohazard cleanup, you’ll know what to look for to ensure you only work with true professionals.

Experience and Training

The most frequent reasons a biohazard cleanup is needed are death, trauma, or crime scene. It is important to have dangerous contaminants safely removed to get your home, property, business, or scene of the trauma back to clean, safe condition. Before selecting a biohazard cleanup service, ask about:

  • Bloodborne pathogen compliance and training
  • OSHA training
  • Medical waste transport and handling training
  • Respiratory protection training and compliance
  • Personal protection equipment compliance and training

Licensing

Certification and licensing requirements can vary from state to state for biohazard cleanups. Here in Denver, be sure to inquire about whether the biohazard cleanup service you are considering meets Colorado’s legal requirements. The company you are considering should be able to show proof of any licensing.

When dealing with medical waste, the company in question should have a medical waste transporter license and have a contract with a licensed medical waste disposal company. It is important to note that there are no specific certifications for crime scene or death-related cleanups. This makes due diligence on your part incredibly important.

Safety Standards

Choose a company that has a lot of experience with cleaning up biohazards. We here at Project X Restoration in Denver have over 135 years of combined experience and we will make sure that your biohazard is cleaned up properly. You want to choose a company that uses the correct equipment for the job to ensure that your home, business, or property is safe from toxins. You also want a company that has high standards for their services.

Empathy

You want a service that is going to understand the severity of your situation and respect the emotional impact that can come with such experiences. The company you hire should be respectful of you and your situation. You should be treated with kindness, compassion and professionalism. A cleanup company shouldn’t add to the strain of your situation.

References

Look at reviews of the company. What do previous customers have to say about service, cost, timeliness and professionalism? When it comes to how to choose a biohazard cleanup service, it’s helpful if you are able to locate reviews from customers with a situation similar to yours. You want a company with satisfied customers that speak to a company’s to experience and commitment. The Better Business Bureau is another good place to check.

Now that you know how to choose a biohazard cleanup service, contact us here at Project X Restoration for your biohazard cleanup needs. We care about providing a high standard of cleanup service and most importantly, care about helping get your home, property, or business cleaned up quickly and correctly so that you can focus on other important issues.