Flooding and mold information from the EPA
tam...@gte.net
This is newer info from the EPA:
Mold Cleanup
If you already have a mold problem - ACT QUICKLY. Mold damages what it
grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.
leaky window
Leaky window - mold is beginning to rot the wooden frame and
windowsill.
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One
consideration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is
less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft.
patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, following the
guidelines below. However:
* If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth
covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA's Mold Remediation in
Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although focused on schools and
commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building
types.
* If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional
service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has
experience cleaning up mold. Check references and ask the contractor
to follow the recommendations in EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and
Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from
professional or government organizations.
* If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning
(HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an
identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the
intake to the system), consult EPA's guide Should You Have the Air
Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action. Do not run
the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with
mold - it could spread mold throughout the building.
* If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other
contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience
cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.
* If you have health concerns, consult a health professional
before starting cleanup.
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Contents
* Why is mold growing in my home?
* Can mold cause health problems?
* How do I get rid of mold?
Why is mold growing in my home?
Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a
part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen
leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided.
Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to
the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may
begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet.
There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water
or moisture.
mold growing outdoors on firewood
Mold growing outdoors on firewood. Molds come in many colors; both
white and black molds are shown here. Click on the image for larger
version.
Can mold cause health problems?
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a
wet or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause
health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause
allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic
substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may
cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic responses
include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red
eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are
common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause
asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In
addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and
lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Symptoms other
than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a
result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and health effects is
ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not
describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For
more detailed information consult a health professional. You may also
wish to consult your state or local health department.
How do I get rid of mold?
Magnified mold spores
Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent
damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential
health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some
mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust.
The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold
growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling
moisture indoors. If there is mold growth in your home, you must
clean up the mold and fix the water problem. If you clean up the
mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold
problem will come back.
___________________________
Mold Cleanup Guidelines
BATHROOM TIP
running water
(running water)
Places that are often or always damp can be hard to maintain
completely free of mold. If there's some mold in the shower or
elsewhere in the bathroom that seems to reappear, increasing
ventilation (running a fan or opening a window) and cleaning more
frequently will usually prevent mold from recurring, or at least keep
the mold to a minimum
Tips and techniques
The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you clean
up your mold problem. Professional cleaners or remediators may use
methods not covered in this publication. Please note that mold may
cause staining and cosmetic damage. It may not be possible to clean
an item so that its original appearance is restored.
mold growing on underside of lawn chair
Mold growing on the underside of a plastic lawn chair in an are where
rainwater drips through and deposits organic material. Click on the
image for a larger version.
mold growing on a piece of ceiling tile
Mold growing on the underside of a plastic lawn chair in an area where
rainwater drips through and deposits organic material. Click on the
image for a larger version.
* Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as
possible. Dry all items completely.
* Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry
completely.
* Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet,
may have to be thrown away if they become moldy. Mold can grow on or
fill in the empty spaces and crevices of porous materials, so the mold
may be difficult or impossible to remove completely.
* Avoid exposing yourself or others to mold (see discussions: What
to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas and Hidden Mold).
* Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean up the mold and dry
the surfaces before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is
likely to peel.
* If you are unsure about how to clean an item, or if the item is
expensive or of sentimental value, you may wish to consult a
specialist. Specialists in furniture repair, restoration, painting,
art restoration and conservation, carpet and rug cleaning, water
damage, and fire or water restoration are commonly listed in phone
books. Be sure to ask for and check references. Look for specialists
who are affiliated with professional organizations.
_________________________________
What to Wear When Cleaning Moldy Areas
moldy suitcase
It is important to take precautions to LIMIT YOUR EXPOSURE to mold and
mold spores. Click on the image for a larger version.
* Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In order to limit your
exposure to airborne mold, you may want to wear an N-95 respirator,
available at many hardware stores and from companies that advertise on
the Internet. (They cost about $12 to $25.) Some N-95 respirators
resemble a paper dust mask with a nozzle on the front, others are made
primarily of plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges that trap
most of the mold spores from entering. In order to be effective, the
respirator or mask must fit properly, so carefully follow the
instructions supplied with the respirator. Please note that the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that
respirators fit properly (fit testing) when used in an occupational
setting; consult OSHA for more information (800-321-OSHA or osha.gov/
exiting EPA).
* Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the
forearm are recommended. When working with water and a mild
detergent, ordinary household rubber gloves may be used. If you are
using a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong
cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber,
neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC (see Cleanup and Biocides).
Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands.
Cleaning mold
Cleaning while wearing N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles.
Click on the image for a larger version.
* Wear goggles. Goggles that do not have ventilation holes are
recommended. Avoid getting mold or mold spores in your eyes.
How Do I Know When the Remediation or Cleanup is Finished?
You must have completely fixed the water or moisture problem before
the cleanup or remediation can be considered finished.
* You should have completed mold removal. Visible mold and moldy
odors should not be present. Please note that mold may cause staining
and cosmetic damage.
* You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and
it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth.
* People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy the area
without health complaints or physical symptoms.
* Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easy answer. If
you have concerns or questions call the EPA Indoor Air Quality
Information Clearinghouse IAQ INFO at (800) 438-4318.
__________________________
Moisture and Mold Prevention and Control Tips
Moisture Control is the Key to Mold Control moldy suitcase
Mold growing on the surface of a unit ventilator. Click on the image
for a larger version.
* When water leaks or spills occur indoors - ACT QUICKLY. If wet
or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill
happens, in most cases mold will not grow.
* Clean and repair roof gutters regularly.
* Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation,
so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.
* Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines
unobstructed and flowing properly.
* Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep indoor humidity
below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative
humidity. Relative humidity can be measured with a moisture or
humidity meter, a small, inexpensive ($10-$50) instrument available at
many hardware stores.
* If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls
or pipes ACT QUICKLY to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture/
water source. Condensation can be a sign of high humidity.
Actions that will help to reduce humidity
Condensation
Condensation on the inside of a windowpane.
* Vent appliances that produce moisture, such as clothes dryers,
stoves, and kerosene heaters to the outside where possible.
(Combustion appliances such as stoves and kerosene heaters produce
water vapor and will increase the humidity unless vented to the
outside.)
* Use air conditioners and/or de-humidifiers when needed.
* Run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering. Use
exhaust fans or open windows whenever cooking, running the dishwasher
or dishwashing, etc.
Actions that will help prevent condensation
Mold growing on a wooden headboard
Mold growing on a wooden headboard in a room with high humidity.
Click on the image for a larger version.
* Reduce the humidity.
* Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or
windows, when practical. Use fans as needed.
* Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.
* Increase air temperature.
Testing or Sampling for Mold
Is sampling for mold needed? In most cases, if visible mold growth is
present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal
limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used
to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards. Surface
sampling may be useful to determine if an area has been adequately
cleaned or remediated. Sampling for mold should be conducted by
professionals who have specific experience in designing mold sampling
protocols, sampling methods, and interpreting results. Sample
analysis should follow analytical methods recommended by the American
Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of
Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), or other professional
organizations.
Rust on a drainpipe
Rust is an indicator that condensation occurs on this drainpipe. The
pipe should be insulated to prevent condensation. Click on the image
for a larger version.
Renters: Report all plumbing leaks and moisture problems immediately
to your building owner, manager, or superintendent. In cases where
persistent water problems are not addressed,
you may want to contact local, state, or federal health or housing
authorities.
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All of this information is copied from the www.epa.gov site. I know
it's a lot to digest however vital information for those of us in
States with massive flooding problems.
Remember HADD is here for you as well as Mold Help based out of MA:
Tamara
Moderator