Hi Brian! Thanks for being interested in this topic. That's going to be a long answer!
The quick answer is - It Depends. there are so many components and chemicals in/on those components that can be the target of an "oxidizer". PLUS, if you remember your organic chemistry, the oxidizing molecules are not of only one kind! there are many functional groups on the many compounds that are sold to "clean" or "disinfect" or deactivate".
Probably the most important concept to begin with is about the general class of chemicals called "disinfectants" or "biocides", "fungicides", mildicides".
everyone must begin with the universal concept that "ALL disinfectants kill some mold. NO SINGLE disinfectant kills all mold."
This is because of both chemistry and the physical nature and location of the mold. Sometimes, the chem just never reaches th target mold component. Sometimes it's the wrong chemical.
One of the BEST stories about "how to deactivate" Mycotoxins comes from actual research that was misunderstood but used as a reference to "prove" that ammonia was best for getting rid of mycotoxins. People shared this rumor, this misunderstanding for literally years. They thought ammonia would make mycotoxins inactive or safe - thru primary the oxidizing process. HOWEVER when someone finally shared the research paper with me and I actually READ it and UNDERSTOOD it, I was amazed (but not). The research was legit, it was complex real chemistry. It was enlightening. BUT it did NOT show what all those people, including one of the most influential of all influencers, the Big Shoe (i.e., Ritchie Shoemaker, former med license holder in Maryland). The ammonia actually did change the (single) target mycotoxins - BUT the new molecule was ALSO a mycotoxin! just a different one! (in chem terms, it was smaller and had a different functional group). AND it was likely MORE reactive than the original target they wanted to destroy! So - yes ammonia was able to do its thing BUT the result was dangerous.
AND all those hundreds if not thousands who promote ammonia, including Shoemaker, were putting people in harm's way.
Of course, this is a short quick simple summary ... There is always more to say or instruct... there is always a "what if" or "but this" etc.
the point is this - WHY BOTHER trying to "oxidize" anything with mold?
JUST CLEAN IT. Use standard, but good, careful, attentive HOUSEKEEPING methods, use SOAP and WATER, use dust controls, and you'll be much better off!
Brian, please feel free to keep in touch - you can DM me or email me... and of course, ASK MORE! Ask me, your Docs, the so-called "IEP"s and"hygienists" (who are NOT actually Industrial Hygienists - the formal name of actual science-educated environmental exposure and hazard specialists) - Demand they explain and respond and guarantee etc etc.
Thank you again for being interested... and please share with others!
Glad you are doing this Scott.
Eric, thank you for taking the time read my blog - and thank you for the support!!
S
Discuss oxidizer’s impact on mold and mycotoxins
Hi Brian! Thanks for being interested in this topic. That's going to be a long answer!
The quick answer is - It Depends. there are so many components and chemicals in/on those components that can be the target of an "oxidizer". PLUS, if you remember your organic chemistry, the oxidizing molecules are not of only one kind! there are many functional groups on the many compounds that are sold to "clean" or "disinfect" or deactivate".
Probably the most important concept to begin with is about the general class of chemicals called "disinfectants" or "biocides", "fungicides", mildicides".
everyone must begin with the universal concept that "ALL disinfectants kill some mold. NO SINGLE disinfectant kills all mold."
This is because of both chemistry and the physical nature and location of the mold. Sometimes, the chem just never reaches th target mold component. Sometimes it's the wrong chemical.
One of the BEST stories about "how to deactivate" Mycotoxins comes from actual research that was misunderstood but used as a reference to "prove" that ammonia was best for getting rid of mycotoxins. People shared this rumor, this misunderstanding for literally years. They thought ammonia would make mycotoxins inactive or safe - thru primary the oxidizing process. HOWEVER when someone finally shared the research paper with me and I actually READ it and UNDERSTOOD it, I was amazed (but not). The research was legit, it was complex real chemistry. It was enlightening. BUT it did NOT show what all those people, including one of the most influential of all influencers, the Big Shoe (i.e., Ritchie Shoemaker, former med license holder in Maryland). The ammonia actually did change the (single) target mycotoxins - BUT the new molecule was ALSO a mycotoxin! just a different one! (in chem terms, it was smaller and had a different functional group). AND it was likely MORE reactive than the original target they wanted to destroy! So - yes ammonia was able to do its thing BUT the result was dangerous.
AND all those hundreds if not thousands who promote ammonia, including Shoemaker, were putting people in harm's way.
Of course, this is a short quick simple summary ... There is always more to say or instruct... there is always a "what if" or "but this" etc.
the point is this - WHY BOTHER trying to "oxidize" anything with mold?
JUST CLEAN IT. Use standard, but good, careful, attentive HOUSEKEEPING methods, use SOAP and WATER, use dust controls, and you'll be much better off!
Brian, please feel free to keep in touch - you can DM me or email me... and of course, ASK MORE! Ask me, your Docs, the so-called "IEP"s and"hygienists" (who are NOT actually Industrial Hygienists - the formal name of actual science-educated environmental exposure and hazard specialists) - Demand they explain and respond and guarantee etc etc.
Thank you again for being interested... and please share with others!