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After the flood: How to protect yourself from mold
From Staff Reports
Tremendous storm surges have already inundated the south eastern part of Harris County. Residents need to mind rising waters from torrential rains and creeks that could overflow their banks.
Though there isn’t much a family can do once water has begun running into their home, but residents can take precautions after the waters recede to protect themselves from mold.
The CDC and Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services explain that mold spreads quickly after a flood, especially given the warm, muggy climate in Texas, and that mold can be a health risk.
People at the greatest risk from mold, said the CDC are those with asthma, allergies, other breathing conditions, and immune suppression.
Health effects of mold exposure can run the gamut from irritated sinus to developing mold infections in their lungs. The following information has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and can be found at the following website:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp.
To prevent mold growth:
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.
Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building.
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
For 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 or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products 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 emergency.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
Though there isn’t much a family can do once water has begun running into their home, but residents can take precautions after the waters recede to protect themselves from mold.
The CDC and Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services explain that mold spreads quickly after a flood, especially given the warm, muggy climate in Texas, and that mold can be a health risk.
People at the greatest risk from mold, said the CDC are those with asthma, allergies, other breathing conditions, and immune suppression.
Health effects of mold exposure can run the gamut from irritated sinus to developing mold infections in their lungs. The following information has been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and can be found at the following website:
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/protect.asp.
To prevent mold growth:
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.
Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to dry out the building.
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
For 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 or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products 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 emergency.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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