Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
About Mold and Our Process
How deep will the fog
penetrate?
Questions About Mold and our Process
Why a fog delivery is important?
Fog (an aerosol with particulate sizes ranging from 1-30 microns) is
particularly effective in the decontamination of areas where foams
or sprays would be difficult, if not impossible to reach. Since most
mold spores range in size from 3-20 microns, the use of fog ensures
that the decontaminate will reach all surfaces where contaminants
have settled. Respirable particles are less than 7.5 microns with
those more than 2.5 microns being the most dangerous, and are able
to lodge in lung tissue where they can be infused directly into the
blood stream.
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How are PDS
products different?
The contrast between PDS’s products and a biocide is
critical. The PDS’s solution is a 2 part non-toxic solution that
attacks the mold and mycotoxins. When using a biocide the spore may
rupture, releasing sub microbial particles coated with toxic
chemicals. Straight application of disinfectants or stabilizers that
destroy the mold cell wall may not neutralize the associated
chemical toxicant. The particles may be inhaled leading to adverse
effects. Using the PDS solution process, which removes fungal
materials, it also neutralizes chemical by-products such as VOC’s
and mycotoxins. The allergenic properties of mold and mold spores
are eliminated and toxic and odorous effects of mold by-products are
neutralized. The mycotoxins then become non-viable, as listed with
the EPA; a non-viable spore is NOT considered a public health risk.
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Why Decontamination?
If mold is found to be growing within a structure, its spores are
likely throughout the building. If that mold is producing toxic
chemicals (mycotoxins), you will have toxic chemicals throughout the
structure. Current universally accepted remediation methods do not
address spore dispersal. In other words; remediating a particular
area within a sick building does not address the full scope of the
contamination. Our products and technologies address not only the
point of mold contamination, but also effectively deal with the
spore dispersal, making our service the most effective and cost
effective on the market. Mycologists estimate that there is as many
as 200,000 unidentified species of fungus. Neither mold nor its
spores cause illness, other than allergy and or infections. This is
a fact but many molds produce mycotoxins that are among the most
toxic chemicals known to man. When growing indoors, mold can produce
toxins in high concentration. No other product can neutralize
mycotoxins. Passing a clearance test under the current standards
does not address chemical contamination. PDS is one of the only
companies in the world that addresses the chemical aspects of a sick
building.
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What are the contents of solution?
It is from a base product developed at a US Government National
Laboratory for the destruction and neutralization of chemical and
biological agents. The formula is for decontamination and mitigation
of chemicals (mycotoxins) and biological pathogens. The base product
of solution has demonstrated that it can rapidly neutralize chemical
and biological agents, including trichothecene mycotoxins. It is a
non-toxic, non-corrosive formulation for the deactivation and
neutralization of mold by-products. Independent laboratory tests
have shown that the formulation is effective in eliminating
trichothecene mycotoxins associated as a chemical by-product of mold
and mold spores. The formulation is environmentally benign (i.e.,
non-toxic and non-corrosive) and works on a number of anticipated
material surfaces, such as wood, fabric, concrete etc. It can be
incorporated into liquid sprays and fog to satisfy a wide variety of
operational objectives.
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How long has it been around?
Development of the original base formulation occurred during the
period of January 1997 to July 1999. The initial development process
focused strictly on a facility restoration scenario. In July 1999,
field-testing of the base formulation began. In October 1999, the
process to commercialize the decontamination formulation for
licensing of the product to private companies was initiated.
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Are there any after effects to humans
from this product?
No. Although the secondary base (special formulation) product has
been used as a skin decontaminant, the decontamination solution has
not been approved for use on skin. Prolonged exposure to vapors
should be avoided. Prolonged skin contact can possibly temporarily
lighten skin color. Respirators should be worn during fogging,
mostly to avoid excess liquid in lungs.
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Is it harmful to plants?
Plants must be removed or covered during the fogging process.
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Is it harmful to pets: dogs, cats, fish
etc.?
Not for use on skin, prolonged exposure to vapors should be avoided.
Pets should be removed during fogging process.
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Can this product be used in or around
air conditioning equipment?
Yes. Our solution decontaminates and mitigates both chemical
(mycotoxins) and biological agents in HVAC systems. After protocol
of PDS’s dwell time, the HVAC system can be used without any
limitation.
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Why is the solution used by PDS better
than others?
No other product will neutralize mycotoxins, is non-toxic,
non-corrosive, non-flammable and environmentally friendly. Our
solution is the most cost effective process being used today that
can eliminate mold and mold by-products (mycotoxins). Our solution
has the potential to save our clients millions of dollars in
remediation costs.
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Is special equipment required to apply
our solution?
Yes. Successful use of our decontamination product requires
application training, the correct kind of equipment and most
importantly, the knowledge to understand the production of mold and
mold by-product issues.
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What kind of guarantee is associated
with this product?
Your facility will be free of active mold by-products (i.e.
mycotoxins).
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Will this process bleach out colors in fabrics?
There have been no reports of staining, dyeing or bleaching when the
product is used properly as a single liquid or fog solution.
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What does the product do to painted
surfaces?
There is no negative effect on painted surfaces.
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What effect does it have on ceiling
tiles?
There is no impact on ceiling tiles.
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What about the effect on electronic
equipment?
All electrical devices should be un-plugged during the fogging
process, as with any solution, excess moisture must be wiped down or
air dried. Extensive testing has been done on computer components
without any adverse effects.
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Does it affect the finish on
furniture?
Polished furniture should be covered to avoid any type of solution
run off, but for the most part it does not affect the surface.
Surfaces with excess solution can be wiped down, or air dried.
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Does the solution kill all mold
spores?
The solution degrades the proteins making the spores inactive and
neutralized.
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What effect does the solution have on
mycotoxins?
The solution neutralizes mycotoxins.
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How can we be sure the product will do what PDS claims?
Third party independent clearance testing is always recommended.
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How long will it last before you have to re-treat?
No additional re-treatment is required if all negative environmental
issues have been addressed properly. Such as; moisture intrusion or
excess humidity.
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Will it penetrate carpet and padding?
We can decontaminate surface carpet with our fogging method.
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Will it penetrate books and magazines?
We can decontaminate books and magazines, but the process is very
labor intensive and must be examined on a case by case basis.
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What will it smell like after treatment?
A
neutral, fresh, clean odor.
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Are there any side effects that need to be identified?
There are no known side effects. If working with the product
unprotected for prolonged periods of time, skin can temporarily
lighten. Prolonged exposure to vapor should be avoided. In case of
accidental eye contact, eye should be flushed out with water
thoroughly.
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What if
there is hidden mold inside my walls or under the carpet?
While our mold killing solution will kill (and neutralize) the mold
that is exposed, it cannot go behind walls (or wallpaper), under
carpeting, into mattresses or anywhere that a normal fog would not
be able to go. Since we do not do any mold testing or inspection
(due to a possible conflict of interest) we cannot know if you have
any hidden mold or where it might be if you do have it. So, if you
suspect there is mold inside your walls or other inaccessible area,
we recommend you find out for sure before we do our treatment.
Usually you can just track the path and destination of moisture that
allowed the mold to grow and you will find any hidden mold. If the
moisture went into the walls, you can probably assume that mold is
growing there. To assist you in finding the source of moisture (and
perhaps hidden mold), you can enlist the aid of an experienced
remodeling contractor, a mold inspector or you could use a newer
technology that makes use of special "mold sniffing dogs". The dogs
seem to be very good for many reasons.
If it turns out that you do have hidden mold, you should have someone (before we
arrive to do the treatment) remove any obstruction that would prevent our fog
from reaching (and killing) the hidden mold. These obstructions may include
drywall, insulation, wallpaper, carpeting, ceiling tiles or other building
materials. At this point we need to tell you to PLEASE USE ADEQUATE PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHEN WORKING WITH LIVE MOLD OR EXPOSING NEW MOLDY AREAS IN
YOUR HOME. Also, please cover the new drywall holes with plastic (until we
arrive to do the treatment) to avoid exposing occupants to any higher levels of
mold. For hidden mold behind drywall, you can simply drill some 3” holes (one in
every wall cavity with hidden mold) in the drywall areas that contain live mold
so we can send our fog inside that wall cavity. If you have insulation in these
walls you would have to remove the insulation for our fog to be effective. If
that is necessary, just make a larger hole and reach in to pull out the
insulation by hand. You can have new insulation blown back in after our
treatment.
[Return to top]How deep will the
fogging penetrate?
We can decontaminate surfaces of carpeting and upholstery with our
fogging method but if deeper decontamination is needed it may be
necessary to dispose of the item. As mentioned earlier, our
fog cannot go through walls but it will reach far into the nooks and
crannies of your home that hand disinfection methods cannot.