Protect Yourself from Mold
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 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.