Mold is a year-round concern for homeowners, but it’s especially confusing in winter. Many people assume freezing temperatures will naturally kill mold or make it disappear. In reality, cold weather does not kill mold—and in

Thousands of years before arborists explained root patterns and soil moisture, people across cultures developed deep beliefs — and sometimes strong warnings — about the plants around them. Among the most intriguing of these is

Moisture problems in homes and buildings are often treated as one and the same. But not all water damage is created equal. Two of the most commonly confused issues—condensation from high humidity and water damage

Recent scientific research is drawing attention to trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), an ultra-short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that is increasingly detected across environmental and human matrices. Two recent publications synthesize emerging evidence on TFA’s sources,

Silica is one of the most common minerals on Earth. Found naturally in sand, stone, concrete, brick, and glass, silica is an essential building block of modern infrastructure. Yet when silica becomes airborne, it can

Hydroxyl and ionized hydrogen peroxide generators—such as the Titan 4000 Max—are increasingly marketed for indoor air treatment, odor control, and surface-level contaminant reduction. These devices are often presented as safe-for-occupancy alternatives to ozone generators and

When choosing insulation, performance isn’t just about energy efficiency, it’s also about fire safety. One of the most important fire safety standards you’ll see associated with spray foam insulation is ASTM E84 Class 1. But

As governments tighten regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—often called “forever chemicals”—the pressure to develop effective water treatment technologies has never been greater. PFAS are linked to serious health risks and are now regulated

Renovations are often treated as routine. Flooring gets replaced, walls get painted, roofing gets repaired — all in the name of maintaining or improving a building. But too often, these projects move forward with a

What Is Agar? Agar (sometimes called agar-agar) is a natural, jelly-like substance made from red seaweed. When mixed with hot water and cooled, it forms a firm gel. Because of this unique property, agar has