Mold prevention and mediation in your home

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Mold prevention and mediation in your home

Fauquier Times-Democrat - Fauquier,VA

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab2.cfm?

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During rainy periods, the Extension office receives many calls about

mold in homes, including the health hazards, remediation and

prevention. Many have heard horror stories in the news about homes

that must be destroyed, people with ruined health, litigation and

huge insurance claims. But mold has always been an issue in Virginia

homes, so why the growing sense of crisis?

There are many theories about why mold has become such an issue.

They range from the use of untested construction techniques and

materials, to greater numbers of people surviving with compromised

immune systems, to our increasingly litigious society. Whatever the

explanation, the concern is real and the Virginia ative

Extension has resources to assist as you determine problem areas in

your home and develop a strategy to remove and prevent mold problems.

Mold basics

Before going into mold remediation, let's review some basics on mold.

Mold is the common name for many species of fungi that reproduce by

spores. Mold spores are common in the air in most homes in Virginia

and require moisture and a food source. It is extremely difficult to

maintain a mold-free home in Virginia.

Some people are allergic to one or more species of mold. Asthmatics

may find that exposure to some species of mold can trigger an

attack. Exposure to large amounts of mold can cause or aggravate

respiratory symptoms.

Generally, mold becomes a serious problem when plumbing leaks,

humidity, condensation, floods or other moisture problems that cause

building materials or furnishings to become wet. Wood, paper, and

cellulose-based materials are particularly vulnerable to mold.

However, mold can grow on many different surfaces. Once building

materials or furnishings get wet, mold can begin to grow within 24

hours. A few species of mold may release toxins.

Removing and cleaning mold

If you have mold growth in your home, the " Guidelines on Assessment

and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments, " developed by the

Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Disease Epidemiology of the

New York City Department, is a good source of information about

safely removing mold. The first step is a visual inspection to

identify mold contamination. Next, remove and clean contaminated

materials without spreading mold contamination to other parts of the

building. In most cases, mold cleanup is accomplished by removing

water, cleaning with detergent, thorough rinsing and rapid and

complete drying. Porous materials are difficult to clean and may

need to be replaced. The use of biocides and disinfectants, such as

chlorine bleach, is generally NOT recommended. Finally, respiratory

protection, gloves and eye protection are the minimum protection

needed when removing mold. Additional information concerning this

publication can be accessed at

http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.html.

Mena Forrester is the Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences,

and is located at 24 Pelham Street in Warrenton, VA 20186. She can

be reached at (540) 341-7950 or mforrester@... .