Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the musty odor in my home, office, school mean I have a mold problem?

A: The musty odor people commonly associate with a moldy basement does, in fact, indicate that active mold is present. As molds digest organic material as food, they offgas mVOC's (microbial volatile organic compounds). The smell can also vary depending upon environmental conditions, type of mold, and the food source.  

Q:Is the mold in my house making me sick?

A: If you have active mold in your house, there is a potential for it to make you sick. AirSciences staff are not medically trained, so we are not qualified to say whether mold is or isn't making you ill. If you are concerned about mold related illnesses, we recommend seeing a doctor and requesting mold antibody testing. If mold antibodies are present in your blood, it shows that your body is actively trying to fight a mold infection.

Q: Can I use bleach to correct a mold problem?

A: As bleach is caustic and contains very harsh and dangerous chemicals, AirSciences does not recommend using bleach to correct a mold problem. If the surface is non-porous, like glass, metal, or plastic, any disinfectant can be used to clean the mold. However, if mold is growing on porous materials (wood, textiles, wallboard, etc.), it is recommended that you contact a mold remediation or mold inspection professional to determine the best means of addressing the problem.

Q: Will the mold in my attic or basement affect the rest of the property?

A: Yes. Mold spores are very small particles which can remain airborne for hours. Every building has some level of atmospheric pressurization and air exchange, which allows these mold spores to quickly spread throughout the building. This does not mean they can affect you physically, but they do have the potential to do so.

Q: What is a safe amount or level of mold to have in a building?

A: There are currently no specific mold spore or mycotoxin concentrations set by the EPA, CDC, federal or state goverment as unhealthy or dangerous. Obviously, there should be no active mold growth within the structure. To determine if the air is "safe" regarding mold, air samples can be taken inside and outside the building. If the spore counts within the structure are significantly elevated, it indicates the presence of active mold and the property should be thoroughly inspected by a  professional mold remediation or mold removal company to identify the scope of the problem.

Q: Is the white substance on my concrete, stone, masonry foundation or wall mold?

A: Without performing a site inspection and/or mold testing, it is difficult to say. However, often times the white "growth" people observe on masonry products, is efflorescence. Efflorescence is a deposit of salts on the surface of masonry materials. As water or water vapor passes through the concrete, these salts dissolve and collect on the surface. Often times, efflorescence is white in color and looks chalky or crystaline. Fortunately, if it is efforescence, it does not pose a serious health concern.

Q: Is correcting black mold or toxic mold more complicated than other types of mold?

A: Many mold remediation, mold removal, or mold cleanup companies try to scare their customers into buying services they might need, and sometimes services they don't. The topic of black mold or toxic mold is a good example. Did you know that not all black mold is toxic and not all toxic mold is black?  The color or toxicity of mold also does not change the steps necessary to correct it and the mold remediation protocol is the same. In an effort to provide the most effective mold remediation services, every AirSciences mold remediation project includes the only treatment approved by the EPA to neutralize the compounds created by toxic mold.