Protect Your Home From Mold Dangers

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Protect Your Home From Mold Dangers

PressZoom (press release) - Amsterdam,Netherlands*

http://presszoom.com/story_144055.html

People sensitive to mold may experience a stuffy nose, irritated

eyes, skin irritation, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

People with asthma, pregnant women, infants, the elderly and

individuals with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for

health problems from mold. If you or your family members have health

problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health

care provider.

(PressZoom) - BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- If your home was affected by the

recent flooding it may be harboring mold. Mold can be a significant

problem after flooding and proper cleanup is critical to ensure that

it does not affect you or your family's health.

People sensitive to mold may experience a stuffy nose, irritated

eyes, skin irritation, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

People with asthma, pregnant women, infants, the elderly and

individuals with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for

health problems from mold. If you or your family members have health

problems after exposure to mold, contact your doctor or other health

care provider.

To prevent or stop the growth of mold after a flood, all areas of a

home that got wet in the floodwaters must be cleaned and completely

dried. Mold can start to grow within 48 hours. Discard all moldy

carpeting and any porous materials such as books, clothing, bedding

or furniture that already smells of mold or is visibly growing mold.

Remember, when in doubt, throw it out.

Once a house has a mold problem, all areas of the home must be

checked, cleaned and dried including air ducts and basement crawl

spaces. To prevent further mold growth, seal all leaks in roofs,

walls or pipes that bring excess moisture into the house. Discard

all moldy drywall, ceiling tiles and wet insulation. Keep receipts

from the cleaning process since disaster assistance may be available

to help with cleaning costs.

To clean away mold already growing on hard surfaces, use commercial

products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1½

cups of bleach in one gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough

surface materials such as concrete. Always open windows and doors

while working with bleach to provide fresh air and wear non-porous

gloves and protective eyewear during the cleaning process.

Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing

bleach with other cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic

fumes so always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using

cleaning products.

Damage to a home from flooding may be so extensive that it may seem

easier to hire a contractor or cleaning service to help with flood

damage cleanup. When hiring a contractor, use extra care in the

hiring process and make sure they have experience cleaning up mold.

Whenever possible, deal with trained and experienced professionals

in your own community. These are business people with a local

reputation to protect and can be held accountable for their work.

Avoid offers that seem to good to be true. FEMA does not endorse

specific contracting companies.

For more information on mold and mold cleanup:

The Environmental Protection Agency provides a comprehensive

description on the dangers of mold and how to clean and disinfect a

mold-damaged home on its web page. Mold resources are available at

www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html.

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 terrorism.