FEMA: Mold May Be Present from New York Flooding

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05/09/2007 FEMA: Mold May Be Present from New York Flooding

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Mold can cause adverse health effect

May 8, 2007 -- ALBANY, N.Y. -- Mold is an ever-present problem following storm

flooding and can be a significant health risk if care is not taken, state and

federal officials warn.

" People are anxious to get on with their lives after a flood, " said Federal

Coordinating Officer nne C. , the Federal Emergency Management

Agency's top official for the nor'easter disaster recovery, " but if you had

flood waters in your home, take the time to clean thoroughly so problems don't

arise later that affect your home or your health. "

Officials urge residents and owners of flooded property to take action now and

not wait until inspectors arrive.

" Local and state health officials have a wealth of information to share on this

topic, " said State Coordinating Officer R. Gibb, director of the New York

State Emergency Management Office. " We urge the public to take advantage of

these resources. "

Health officials say problems from exposure can follow if mold is disturbed

through cleanup procedures. Also, mold is easily transferred from one surface to

another. Infants, children, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women,

individuals with existing respiratory conditions (allergies, multiple chemical

sensitivity, and asthma) and the elderly appear to be at higher risks for

adverse health effects from mold.

Symptoms include nose and throat irritation, wheeze, cough, asthma attacks in

individuals who have asthma, and lower respiratory tract infections (in

children). People with pre-existing respiratory conditions also may be

susceptible to more serious lung infections. It is important to identify mold

early and take steps to clean it up and prevent more mold activity.

Identifying Mold

Mold growth is a common occurrence in flood-damaged homes and damp environments.

Mold can become a problem in your home if there is enough moisture available to

allow mold to thrive and multiply. Dampness in basements, walls, carpets, and

wood provides an environment for mold to flourish.

Microscopic organisms are found everywhere and develop easily into mold in the

presence of water or dampness. Mold discoloration comes in a variety of colors

from white to orange and from green to brown or black. Whatever color, it

characteristically gives off a musty or earthy smell.

Mold Prevention Tips

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold spores in the indoor

environment. But there are many ways to help control moisture and mold growth.

The basic rule is to identify any moisture sources if you can see or smell mold

and to remove the mold before health problems develop.

Care must be taken to clean and completely dry any areas of the home that have

gotten wet from floodwaters to prevent structural damage and adverse health

effects from mold.

The following are a few suggestions to help in preventing mold:

Stop the Water

* Fix leaks in pipes and in any damp area around tubs and sinks.

* Rebuild, or retrofit, with water-resistant building materials such as tile,

stone, deep-sealed concrete, galvanized or stainless steel hardware,

indoor/outdoor carpeting, waterproof wallboard and water-resistant glues.

* Prevent seepage of water from outdoors into your house. It is important to

have rainwater from gutters or the roof drain away from the house. Ground around

the house needs to slope away to keep basement and crawl space dry.

* Cover dirt in crawl spaces with plastic to prevent moisture from coming from

the ground. Ventilate the area as much as possible.

Keep It Clean

* Clean fabrics such as curtains and upholstery often and keep them dry, because

soil promotes mold growth.

* Store clean fabric items in well-ventilated areas.

* Consider having air ducts cleaned and inspected professionally or replaced if

you suspect mold exists on the inside surface of the duct or if duct insulation

has been wet.

Keep It Dry

* Reduce the moisture in the air with dehumidifiers, fans and open windows or

air conditioners,

* especially in hot weather. Do not use fans if mold may already exist; a fan

will spread the mold spores.

* Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent.

* In moisture-prone areas, choose carpets of man-made fibers.

* Reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces by insulating.

Disinfect It

* Routinely check potential problem spots. Disinfect often with a 10 percent

solution of bleach – about 1-1/4 cup of bleach to a gallon of water. Don't add

ammonia, which will create toxic fumes.

For more information, contact the following sites:

Federal Emergency Management Agency

www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/mold.shtm

New York State Department of Health

www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/indoors/air/docs/flood_checklist.pd...

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing,

mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic

disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Source: FEMA