Clean up mold the right way, Racine health official says

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Clean up mold the right way, Racine health official says

Journal Times - Racine,WI*

By n O'Brien

Saturday, August 25, 2007 11:17 PM CDT

http://www.journaltimes.com/articles/2007/08/25/local_news/doc46d0dee

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RACINE — As the area wrings itself dry after a historic week of wet

weather, Racine's top health official issued a precautionary

statement regarding the correct way to handle the cleanup efforts.

Wet basements are perfect breeding ground for mold, a family of

dangerous fungi, according to Public Health Administrator Janelle

Grammer.

" I am very concerned about people with mold and how to properly to

clean it up, " she said.

Basements are especially tough to clean with such surfaces as tile,

drop ceilings and carpeting. These porous surfaces are ideal places

for mold to develop, she said.

Potential health affects and symptoms associated with mold exposure

include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.

Mold also irritates the eyes, skin, nose and throat.

Mold can develop in a damp area within 24 hours. Dormant mold spores

in a damp area can also be reactivated if they become wet.

Detergent, water and considerable effort will eliminate mold. Bleach

also can be used, but Grammar warned against using it along with

other chemicals.

" (The mixture) will form very deadly gases, " Grammer said.

Grammer recommended wearing goggles, a respirator and non-latex

gloves when cleaning a wet area. You should remove all items from

the affected area and dispose of porous items such as carpets and

cardboard boxes, she said. Keepsakes or valuable items that get wet

should be professionally cleaned.

" If it is bigger that a 10-square-foot area, it's going to be very

difficult for people to clean up, " she said.

Bathrooms with carpeting and wallpaper are especially susceptible to

mold. And remember: Mold can travel through a home's heating and

cooling system.

Bacteria-infested water also is a major concern, Grammer said. " It's

insidious, " Grammer said. " People need to be aware and get things

totally dried out. "