2019_ADN_V4_No3-2

DETAIL
DOCTOR
MORE ON NORMI
According to NORMI.org, The National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors operates as a not-for profit 501 (6c)
and serves as a cooperative network of first responders in the war against indoor air quality and mold problems. “Toxic mold
(stachybotrys) is not the only contaminant for which clients should be concerned and NORMI is dedicated to the proposition
that the absence of ANY indoor contaminant (particulates, odors, VOCs, or biologicals) is the true definition of ‘clean air’.”
WHAT IS DEAD MOLD?
It can be defined in two ways: (a)
Deactivated or (b) Dormant. So, in simple
terms the mold is not actively growing.
Mold grows when it has a moisture source.
So, if the moisture source is removed the
mold stops growing. But it becomes active
again if moisture is reintroduced.
You can deactivate mold by using
a biocide which prevents mold from
growing. This may or may not be reversible,
depending on the biocide used.
SO, WHAT
CAUSES MOLD
IN THE FIRST PLACE?
As stated above, mold is caused by:
MOISTURE.
In a vehicle, moisture can come from
a leak from around windshields, the rear
windows, from faulty weather stripping
on doors, etc.
Also, carpets and upholstery in vehicles
can be over-wetted and then they are not
properly dried. Once moisture penetrates
into the carpet backing you have to remove
the carpets and dry them in the open air
to get rid of the moisture source. If you do
not do this, you will allow mold to grow. So,
the traditional methods of shampooing or
misuse of an extractor are certainly major
causes of mold in vehicles.
As well, extreme humidity can results in
mold growing on the interior of the vehicle.
ONCE YOU HAVE
FOUND THE MOLD,
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Any discoloration identified as mold
must be removed whether it is found to
be dead or actively growing. If you do
not remove the mold, dead or alive, an
unhealthy interior is created.
But what if the mold is in the air conditioning
vents? Traditionally detailers have
used foggers or ozone generators to “kill
the mold.” This method is ok, but it moisture
is reintroduced into the vents again
you will have active mold. What really
should be done to a vehicle that has a
serious mold problem emitting from the
air conditioning system is that the system
has to be disassembled and the dead mold
has to be removed.
SO, LET’S REVIEW
Evidence is irrefutable, to kill mold in
place is not a final solution at all unless it
includes the removal of the mold debris.
So as a true professional detailer you need
to know how to remove mold debris.
Mold can exist everywhere in a vehicle
interior. But there are some areas that are
more prone to mold than others and these
are areas you should focus on, while letting
the customer know about the dangers of
breathing mold in the vehicle, to them,
their children and friends.
Mold is “ubiquitous,” that is, it is
found everywhere, or better, it hides
everywhere, sometimes in plain sight, but
at the same time unseen.
You open the door of a motor
vehicle and mold spores follow. Open the
window for a breath of “fresh air” and
mold spores float right in.
With the right temperature, moisture,
humidity level, and food source, these
spores can begin to grow, causing a musty
smell on the interior of the vehicle. If you
smell it you can be sure that it is growing
somewhere in the vehicle, even if you do
not know where.
Most people are allergic to mold, so
it is important for you to know how to
reduce contamination levels. Knowing
where mold “hides” in vehicle interiors
is the first step to a healthier interior
environment.
SO WHERE TO
LOOK FOR MOLD?
There are many areas in which mold exists:
• Mold hides in places you cannot
reach: Every horizontal surface in
the vehicle interior with cracks and
crevices, has mold spores that have
settled in. Dust has mold spores, but
regular dusting can eliminate the
possibility of mold growth. Also, focus
on areas like door jambs.
• Mold hides in places you cannot
see: Glove boxes, counsel boxes, under
seats, air conditioning vents, etc.
• Mold hides where there is
wetness: As mentioned in previous
posts, leaks in the windshield or other
glass can allow water to soak into
the carpet and backing and if not
taken care of immediately the mold
will start to grow. Condensation in
air conditioning ducts, or worse,
leaks are a common area for mold to
grow spewing out smelly mold spores
throughout the entire interior of the
vehicle. Leaks in rubber molding on
door and trunk jambs will allow water
to seep into the vehicle wetting the
interior carpets as well as the padding
in the trunk.
• Mold hides where there is poor
air circulation: Trunks and the
vehicle interiors have poor air circulation
if they are not driven much.
As mentioned, mold is so “ubiquitous”
that its presence in vehicle interiors
is inevitable. If you focus on these areas
mentioned above, you will find the mold
where is “hides.” It should be cleaned up
immediately to provide a safe interior
environment for your customers.
Of course, if cleaning out both live
and dead mold will take more time
than a normal interior or trunk detail
requires, then by all means let the
customer know this. They should and
hopefully will gladly pay for the removal,
once they understand the dangers.
MOLD MAKES YOU SICK
If you’re working on a vehicle that
has mold, or if you’re working with a
customer who has mold and needs
convincing that your services are
needed, you need to be aware of the
exact dangers that come from exposure
to mold. According to Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention,
the common health concerns from
molds include hay fever-like allergic
symptoms. “Certain individuals with
chronic respiratory disease (chronic
obstructive pulmonary disorder,
asthma) may experience difficulty
breathing. Individuals with immune
suppression may be at increased
risk for infection from molds. If you
or your family members have these
conditions, a qualified medical
clinician should be consulted for
diagnosis and treatment.”
26 | AUTO DETAILING NEWS | VOL. 4, NO. 3 • SUMMER 2019