Mold removal should be handled by experts

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Saturday, October 29, 2005

Mold removal should be handled by experts

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The Cincinnati Enquirer,

Old World Restorations Inc.

Proper protective equipment, including a respirator/dust mask,

disposable latex gloves and goggles should be worn when handling

mold-infested objects.

MOLD REMOVAL TIPS

Consult experienced professionals

Wear proper protective equipment

Never use chlorine bleach

Vacuum using HEPA filters

Expose to controlled UV light

Place items in low humidity

Dispose of damaged mats and paper backings

A conservator vacuums mold from the surface of a photograph.

Question: Our Gulf Coast home was damaged by hurricane Katrina.

Despite the fact that the house suffered little structural damage,

our treasured art and antique furnishings were a disaster. Family

photographs and other keepsakes were found wet and buried in the

mud. We were told to rinse off the mud with clean water and dry

items. We have also used a mixture of water and bleach to wipe down

some surfaces that are covered with mold and mildew. Is bleach safe?

Answer: Mold should be treated carefully. Your first priority should

be to protect yourself against any health and safety issues

associated with exposures to dangerous mold. Some molds pose little

or no hazards to humans while others can be toxic. The dangerous

molds, such as Stachybotrys or Chaetomium, can cause serious

illnesses.

Stachybotrys is a greenish black mold that grows on material with a

high cellulose content, including wood, drywall, wallpaper,

insulation backing, cardboard boxes and fiberboard. This mold

requires wet, humid conditions for days or weeks to grow.

Chaetomium is a common fungal species that frequently is found on

deteriorating wood products. It often emits a stale, musty odor.

Chaetomium colonies are fast growing and start off white in color.

As they mature, the colonies become gray to olive green.

Mold removal and treatment usually should be performed by

professionals. When inspecting or retrieving salvageable possessions

from a flooded building, it is important to wear the proper personal

protective equipment. Use a respirator/dust mask that has a NIOSH

rating of N-95 or higher. The mask must fit well and be worn

properly. Wear disposable latex gloves and coveralls, as well as

goggles. Limit time spent in areas where mold levels are high to 15-

minute intervals.

Under no circumstances should chlorine bleach be used to clean the

surface of any work of art, frame, photograph, document or other

antique items. An experienced art conservator should be consulted

for assistance in dealing with mold-infested materials. In most

situations, mold can be removed from artwork using a vacuum cleaner

that does not exhaust the spores back into the room. A vacuum fitted

with the proper HEPA filtration system is recommended. Special micro-

tools, speed controls and screens are used when vacuuming to prevent

damage.

After the surface is cleaned of visible mold, the item is subjected

to controlled ultraviolet light. Tests are conducted to verify that

mold is gone. After surface cleaning, items should be placed in a

clean, protected environment with low humidity.

Contact Doug Eisele by phone: 271-5459 or e-mail:

deisele@....