That is correct - mold needs moisture to survive; however, if you suspect there is a problem in your home or office you should have a professional identify the source and the extent of contamination in order that an accurate scope of work (to remedy the problem) can be written up. Failure to do so may leave micro-environments unattended, dispite your dehumidifiers efforts to control ambient air. An example of this would be a wet crawlspace. As a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant, I've seen areas become polluted dispite occupant efforts to control humidity (with dehumidifiers or other "water-proofing" techniques) from moist crawlspaces. As the moisture and air pressure build up in the crawlspace, moisture and contaminants are forced into the occupied spaces of the structure (they stack upward). This can happen where you notice odors, where airborne particulate are distributed throughout the structure, or they just collect in the carpet cushion and floor covering materials (like carpet). In some cases the micro-environment on the surface (or within the material) of carpeting and cushion (and its subflooring) are much different that the humidity measured in the room's (ambient) air.

Another example is a room with improper ventilation. The Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system doesn't distribute nor pick up the air properly allowing pockets of air to collect in a corner of a room. These pockets of air house moisture. When the water molecules slow down they become more available to the microorganisms in the air and in/on the building materials. This encourages growth of all kinds of microorganisms (bacteria and molds for example). I've seen this happen in areas where dehumidifiers are running as well.

Remedying a mold infestation (and preventing one) includes removing the source of moisture intrusion and the source of mold pollution. Once that is completed you'll have your home or office back to its normal ecological status.

Dehumidifiers can be a great way to assist you water-proofing systems and ventilation system in keeping a mold problem from occurring, but without the proper unit running within a proper ventilated environment, they may not be enough. You may just be diluting the problem until such time as it gets so bad it costs thousands of dollars to clean up (like the examples above did).

Just remember that dilution is never the final solution.

If I can answer any of your questions or direct you to someone that can help feel free to let me know and I'll do my best. I wish you all the best with your situation.

I must reitterate that my post was to inform people that there are things to consider when applying a "biocide" to mold for the purpose of remediation (remedy). Every biocide out there has pros and cons. People deserve to understand that there have been third-party reviews and studies on Chlorine Dioxide, but almost all of the research was based on studies in water and the byproducts of that applications on microorganisms and other chemical and gaseous agents. In those studies many things, in water, were found to be inactivated, as you said, but in the air there is no such research approved by the EPA. In fact, the EPA stated in their report on Chlorine Dioxide that, "Its disinfection mechanisms are not well understood, but appear to vary by type of microorganism..." before saying, "More research is needed to further clarify how pH impacts the effectiveness of chlorine dioxide." Again, siting research performed on applications of Chlorine Dioxide on water while discussing its applications and impacts on the "environment".

In their report, the U.S. EPA went on to show that, through various independent studies and laboratory analyses, some of the same basic principles of biocide application apply to Chlorine Dioxide as it does other biocide applications. Because of these understandings any credible Remediator, Consultant, and/or Laboratory Technician will tell you that application of such a activity (as deactivating a toxin but not removing the body and allergen) is not remedying (or remediating) a polluted environment. It is a dillution of one pollutant with a potential other.

Like you said, proper application is necessary of any product, but my post was to point out, to those in need of a remedy to a polluted environment, that there is more to consider than dilluting a pollutant. In the indoor air quality industry, amoung professionals, there is a saying, "Dillution is never the final solution."

Is this produce, if used properly a helpful tool (amoung others) for a Remediation professional? Maybe. Depends on the system they use. I can tell you though that if I ever did a post-remediation verification investigation (by the book - Standard of Care) that if all they did was use this product they would fail my inspection.

Is this product, if used properly a helpful tool in a proactive measure to prevent mold? Maybe. But by itself, again, there is a diluted image of expectation. As the EPA says the water source and mold source must be removed.

I'll leave it here for now. It is getting long winded. I appreciate your dialogue. If you would ever want to send me more information or discuss this more, feel free to contact me anytime. I believe all of my information is in my profile. My website is http://www.SolutionsIEC.com.


God bless.