FIGHTING MOLD

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FIGHTING MOLD

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Kansas.com - KS

http://www.kansas.com/290/story/70274.html

There are more than 10,000 kinds of mold on the planet and, in

excessive quantities, all of them can be bad for human health.

That's why flooded structures should be dried thoroughly and

quickly. Mold spores are almost everywhere and will grow on

sheetrock, carpets, furniture and other materials in the presence of

moisture. Here are some things to know when dealing with mold:

• Make sure water and dampness stays out of the house. Use fans and

dehumidifiers in rooms that were flooded or are damp.

• Always wear gloves and an N95 respirator mask (found at a hardware

store) while cleaning mold.

• Wipe off any visible mold and clean floors and other hard surfaces

with a mild soapy solution.

• Rinse and thoroughly dry the area using fans and dehumidifiers.

• Use laundry detergent to wash the clothes you wore while cleaning

mold and thoroughly dry them.

• Just spraying with bleach or other mold retardant, or simply

painting over the mold, only masks the problem and does not stop

growth.

• The longer ceiling tiles, wallboard, carpet, upholstered furniture

and other porous materials remain wet, the greater the mold growth.

Eventually, the growth cannot be adequately removed, and the items

will need to be discarded.

• If mold covers a small area, you might be able to eliminate it

yourself. However, if mold growth is over a large area, or if it has

grown into surfaces such as walls or floors, you might need to

contact a professional who specializes in mold removal.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov and click on " mold " in the

Quick Finder section.

Source: Kansas Department of Health and Environment