Growing problem

[Guest guest]

Growing problem

The Scranton Times-Tribune,PA

BY JOSH MCAULIFFE

STAFF WRITER

http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=18307127 & BRD=2185 & PAG=461 & dept_id=450444 & rfi=6

Mold has got to be one of the all-time worst house guests.

It's slimy. It's gross. And, if not properly dealt with, it can make

you sick.

In short, mold in the home is a potential menace, capable of posing

a severe health risk and wreaking heavy structural damage if ignored

too long.

" If you have it in your home you're going to have to do a cleanup, "

said Dan , a spokesman for the state Department of

Health. " It's a wily combatant. "

As such, a little knowledge on the subject goes a long way.

Keep moisture at bay

The first thing to know about mold is that its spores can be found

circulating in just about all homes. The potential hazard comes when

the spores combine with excess moisture and a lack of airflow, which

gives it the opportunity to grow, usually in cool, damp places like

the attic and basement and tucked-away spots behind walls, ceiling

blocks and furniture.

Surprisingly, newer homes tend to be more susceptible to airflow

problems than older ones, according to T.J. Jimmie, president of

Datom Products Inc., an environmental firm and mold remediation

specialist based in Dunmore.

" The problem is in a lot of newer homes they over insulate and

airflow gets restricted, " Mr. Jimmie said. " People think, `Well,

it's a new house, I don't have mold.' There's more mold in new

houses than older ones. "

Molds, which come in numerous species, produce allergens, irritants

and sometimes potentially toxic substances called mycotoxins.

Exposure can result in cold-like symptoms, sore throats, eye

irritation, headaches, coughing and wheezing. Those with respiratory

illnesses and weak immune systems are especially at risk.

" If (the symptoms) go past two weeks, you should see a doctor no

matter what, " Mr. said.

Depending on the species, the incubation period for mold growth can

be anywhere from two to 15 days. It tends to come in clumps of

black, green, brown and white, and is often accompanied by a musty

odor.

Concerns also can be addressed by testing the air quality inside and

outside the home to see if the spore levels are out of whack with

each other. Still, Mr. cautioned, testing is expensive, and

difficult to draw definitve proof from because there's so many

different species.

" We don't even know how many there are, " said Mr. , noting the

Department of Health released a mold managment task force study in

2006, and is currently looking at ways to further combat the problem

statewide.

Whether or not one can deal with a mold outbreak depends largely on

the size of the problem. Homeowners can normally handle areas of

less than 10 square feet. Anything more than that, consider calling

a contractor or mold remediation business. Be warned, though, the

state has no certification requirements on the books for mold

remediation, meaning any huckster can call himself a specialist. For

advice on finding a reputable service, call the Department of

Health's hotline at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

Situations like last summer's devastating floods are tailor-made for

a mold infestation. A wet or damp area like a flooded basement

should be dealt with within 24 to 48 hours of the spill or leak.

Drywall, carpets, ceiling tiles and other porous materials that

don't dry out completely should be removed, Mr. Jimmie said.

Homeowners should take extra precaution when dealing with hidden

mold. Disturbing a potential growth area — wallpaper, for example —

can lead to a significant release of spores.

" You want to cause as little dust as possible. You don't want to be

spreading, " said Mr. Jimmie, who estimated about 30 percent to 40

percent of his business comes through mold remediation. Most

projects average about three to five days, although he once spent

close to two months gutting the home of a Wyoming County couple

which had been overrun with toxic mold.

Mold can be removed from hard surfaces using soap and water or a

bleach solution of no more than one cup of bleach in one gallon of

water. However, make sure the area is well ventilated.

Of course, none of this ever has to happen. Mold growth can be

controlled by taking a number of preventative measures, including:

¦ Keeping the humidity level in the home between 40 percent and 60

percent, and using an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid

months in damp spots like the basement.

¦ Fixing leaks in the roof, walls, or plumbing to prevent incoming

moisture.

¦ Adding mold inhibitors to paints before using.

¦ Cleaning bathrooms with mold-killing products.

¦ Opting against installing carpeting in high-moisture areas like

bathrooms and the basement.

¦ Ventilating the bathroom, kitchen and laundry area.

¦ Cleaning and repairing roof gutters regularly.

¦ Ensuring the ground slopes away from the building foundation to

prevent water from entering or collecting around the foundation.

Anything else?

" Well, a clean home, " Mr. Jimmie said with a laugh. " You'd be

surprised. "

Additional sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Centers

for Disease Control Prevention

Contact the writer: jmcauliffe@...

Fighting mold

Looking for do-it-yourself mold remediation tips? Consider these

suggestions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

¦ Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.

¦ Dry all items completely.

¦ Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, or a bleach

solution, then dry completely.

¦ Throw out affected porous materials like ceiling tiles, carpeting

and drywall.

¦ Avoid exposure to mold by wearing rubber gloves, goggles without

ventilation holes and a N-95 respirator, which resembles a paper

dust mask with a nozzle on the front.

¦ Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean and dry the surfaces

before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to

peel.

¦ Revisit moldy sites shortly after cleanup to ensure there are no

traces of water damage or mold growth.

Additional questions? Call the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information

Clearinghouse at 800-438-4318.

[Guest guest]

Another Health Department that recognizes the hazards of indoor

mold. Gee, Mr.Mark Chamberlain of the WI Health Dept. must catchup

to the new science. He sounds like he must be almost standing alone

on this one.

Thank you Dan for taking a proactive role in the state of PA.

You would think all health dept. nationally would be on the same

track. Mr. Chamberlain needs to go back to school for further

education.

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> Growing problem

> The Scranton Times-Tribune,PA

> BY JOSH MCAULIFFE

> STAFF WRITER

>

>

> http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?

> newsid=18307127 & BRD=2185 & PAG=461 & dept_id=450444 & rfi=6

>

> Mold has got to be one of the all-time worst house guests.

>

> It's slimy. It's gross. And, if not properly dealt with, it can

make

> you sick.

>

> In short, mold in the home is a potential menace, capable of

posing

> a severe health risk and wreaking heavy structural damage if

ignored

> too long.

>

> " If you have it in your home you're going to have to do a

cleanup, "

> said Dan , a spokesman for the state Department of

> Health. " It's a wily combatant. "

>

> As such, a little knowledge on the subject goes a long way.

>

> Keep moisture at bay

>

> The first thing to know about mold is that its spores can be found

> circulating in just about all homes. The potential hazard comes

when

> the spores combine with excess moisture and a lack of airflow,

which

> gives it the opportunity to grow, usually in cool, damp places

like

> the attic and basement and tucked-away spots behind walls, ceiling

> blocks and furniture.

>

> Surprisingly, newer homes tend to be more susceptible to airflow

> problems than older ones, according to T.J. Jimmie, president of

> Datom Products Inc., an environmental firm and mold remediation

> specialist based in Dunmore.

>

> " The problem is in a lot of newer homes they over insulate and

> airflow gets restricted, " Mr. Jimmie said. " People think, `Well,

> it's a new house, I don't have mold.' There's more mold in new

> houses than older ones. "

>

> Molds, which come in numerous species, produce allergens,

irritants

> and sometimes potentially toxic substances called mycotoxins.

> Exposure can result in cold-like symptoms, sore throats, eye

> irritation, headaches, coughing and wheezing. Those with

respiratory

> illnesses and weak immune systems are especially at risk.

>

> " If (the symptoms) go past two weeks, you should see a doctor no

> matter what, " Mr. said.

>

> Depending on the species, the incubation period for mold growth

can

> be anywhere from two to 15 days. It tends to come in clumps of

> black, green, brown and white, and is often accompanied by a musty

> odor.

>

> Concerns also can be addressed by testing the air quality inside

and

> outside the home to see if the spore levels are out of whack with

> each other. Still, Mr. cautioned, testing is expensive, and

> difficult to draw definitve proof from because there's so many

> different species.

>

> " We don't even know how many there are, " said Mr. , noting

the

> Department of Health released a mold managment task force study in

> 2006, and is currently looking at ways to further combat the

problem

> statewide.

>

> Whether or not one can deal with a mold outbreak depends largely

on

> the size of the problem. Homeowners can normally handle areas of

> less than 10 square feet. Anything more than that, consider

calling

> a contractor or mold remediation business. Be warned, though, the

> state has no certification requirements on the books for mold

> remediation, meaning any huckster can call himself a specialist.

For

> advice on finding a reputable service, call the Department of

> Health's hotline at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

>

> Situations like last summer's devastating floods are tailor-made

for

> a mold infestation. A wet or damp area like a flooded basement

> should be dealt with within 24 to 48 hours of the spill or leak.

> Drywall, carpets, ceiling tiles and other porous materials that

> don't dry out completely should be removed, Mr. Jimmie said.

>

> Homeowners should take extra precaution when dealing with hidden

> mold. Disturbing a potential growth area — wallpaper, for example —

> can lead to a significant release of spores.

>

> " You want to cause as little dust as possible. You don't want to

be

> spreading, " said Mr. Jimmie, who estimated about 30 percent to 40

> percent of his business comes through mold remediation. Most

> projects average about three to five days, although he once spent

> close to two months gutting the home of a Wyoming County couple

> which had been overrun with toxic mold.

>

> Mold can be removed from hard surfaces using soap and water or a

> bleach solution of no more than one cup of bleach in one gallon of

> water. However, make sure the area is well ventilated.

>

> Of course, none of this ever has to happen. Mold growth can be

> controlled by taking a number of preventative measures, including:

>

> ¦ Keeping the humidity level in the home between 40 percent and 60

> percent, and using an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid

> months in damp spots like the basement.

>

> ¦ Fixing leaks in the roof, walls, or plumbing to prevent incoming

> moisture.

>

> ¦ Adding mold inhibitors to paints before using.

>

> ¦ Cleaning bathrooms with mold-killing products.

>

> ¦ Opting against installing carpeting in high-moisture areas like

> bathrooms and the basement.

>

> ¦ Ventilating the bathroom, kitchen and laundry area.

>

> ¦ Cleaning and repairing roof gutters regularly.

>

> ¦ Ensuring the ground slopes away from the building foundation to

> prevent water from entering or collecting around the foundation.

>

> Anything else?

>

> " Well, a clean home, " Mr. Jimmie said with a laugh. " You'd be

> surprised. "

>

> Additional sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Centers

> for Disease Control Prevention

>

> Contact the writer: jmcauliffe@...

> Fighting mold

>

> Looking for do-it-yourself mold remediation tips? Consider these

> suggestions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

>

> ¦ Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.

>

> ¦ Dry all items completely.

>

> ¦ Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, or a

bleach

> solution, then dry completely.

>

> ¦ Throw out affected porous materials like ceiling tiles,

carpeting

> and drywall.

>

> ¦ Avoid exposure to mold by wearing rubber gloves, goggles without

> ventilation holes and a N-95 respirator, which resembles a paper

> dust mask with a nozzle on the front.

>

> ¦ Do not paint or caulk moldy surfaces. Clean and dry the surfaces

> before painting. Paint applied over moldy surfaces is likely to

> peel.

>

> ¦ Revisit moldy sites shortly after cleanup to ensure there are no

> traces of water damage or mold growth.

>

> Additional questions? Call the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information

> Clearinghouse at 800-438-4318.

>