How to Protect Yourself From Mold
By Center for Disease Control - Food Safety
Jun 5, 2006, 19:40
After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess
moisture and standing water contribute to the growth of mold in homes
and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been flooded, be
aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family.
People at Greatest Risk from Mold
People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more
sensitive to mold. People with immune suppression (such as people with
HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have
received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections.
Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure
People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated
eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. People allergic to mold may have difficulty
in breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems
and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may
develop mold infections in their lungs. If you or your family members
have health problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other
health care provider.
Recognizing Mold
You may recognize mold by:
- Sight (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do
they show signs of mold growth or water damage?)
- Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty,
earthy smell or a foul stench?)
Safely Preventing Mold Growth
Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open
doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building. (See the fact sheet
for drying out your house, Reentering Your Flooded Home).
- When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been
wet for more than 48 hours and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and
dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth and should be
removed from the home. Porous, noncleanable items include carpeting
and carpet padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling
tiles, insulation material, some clothing, leather, paper, wood, and
food. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead mold may
cause allergic reactions in some people.
- To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent
and water.
- Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home
until insurance claims can be filed. See recommendations by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) .
- If you wish to disinfect, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) document, A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home
at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html.
If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and
fix any water problem, such as leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Controlling
moisture in your home is the most critical factor for preventing mold
growth.
To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap
and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon
of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete.
If you choose to use bleach to remove mold:
- Never mix bleach with ammonia. Mixing bleach and ammonia will produce
dangerous, toxic fumes.
- Open windows and doors to provide fresh air.
- Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear.
- If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation
in Schools and Commercial Buildings . Although focused on schools and
commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types.
You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information
Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at
http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html .
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using bleach or
any other cleaning product.
- More information on personal safety while cleaning up after a natural
disaster is available at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp .
If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean
up mold, you should buy an N95 mask at your local home supply store and
wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions
on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back
into the building for a short time and are not cleaning up mold, you do
not need to wear an N95 mask.
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Call ServiceMaster Professionals for your mold remediation needs.
951-927-0094
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