Health officials warn about mold dangers

[Guest guest]

Health officials warn about mold dangers

WKOW-TV.com - Madison,WI*

Posted: June 25, 2008

http://www.wkowtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8555640 & nav=menu1362_2

MADISON (WKOW) -- From Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA:

Mold growing in recently flooded buildings can cause health

problems, state and federal emergency management officials warned

Wisconsin residents.

Water-damaged rooms are moist environments ideal for mold to

flourish. People with respiratory problems such as allergies or

asthma should not spend time in houses that might contain mold. Mold

often is visible as a fuzzy growth or discoloration on surfaces. It

usually has a musty, earthy odor.

Those sensitive to mold spores may experience wheezing, difficulty

breathing, nasal and sinus congestion, burning and watering eyes,

dry cough, sore-throat, shortness of breath or skin irritation.

" Mold can cause significant health problems, " said Deputy State

Coordinating Officer Larry . " It is urgent that residents and

business owners clean their homes and work environments as quickly

as possible, and not risk serious, long-lasting health effects. "

is the state-appointed lead of the joint WEM/FEMA team

responding to this month's storms and flooding.

Specialists offer the following suggestions to ensure safe,

effective cleanup:

- Have professionals check heating/cooling ducts and wall insulation

for mold growth. If the system has mold inside, it will spread mold

throughout the house.

- Wash all items that came in contact with floodwaters with a

chlorine bleach solution.

- Open windows for ventilation and wear boots, rubber gloves and

clothing that fully covers arms and legs, and use an N-95 rated

mask.

- Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

- Mix no more than one cup of bleach in one gallon of water.

- Most antiseptics, including chlorine, are toxic to humans -- rinse

the skin quickly and well if there is accidental contact with the

solution.

- Remember, chlorine bleach no longer is effective when the chlorine

smell disappears.

- Use a fan in front of open windows or doors to help with the

drying process, but it is important that fans blow outward, rather

than inward to avoid spreading the mold.

- Throw away all moldy items that cannot be thoroughly cleaned. If

in doubt, throw it out. This includes carpets, mattresses,

upholstered furniture, stuffed animals, pillows, wall coverings and

all paper products.

- Take out any drywall or insulation that has been dampened by

floodwater.

- If there is more than a 10 square foot area of mold in a building,

consider using a professional mold clean-up contractor.

" Although you may think your property does not have mold, when water

gets into a structure mold can germinate quickly, " FEMA's Federal

Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont said. " It's also important to

contact your physician if you think you have been affected by

exposure to mold. "

Renters, homeowners and business owners who suffered damage or

uninsured losses as a result of the severe storms, flooding and

tornadoes are encouraged to register for disaster assistance by

calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The TTY number for speech- and

hearing-impaired applicants is 1-800-462-7585. Registration also can

be done online at www.fema.gov. The toll-free numbers are available

24-hours-a-day until further notice.

For more information on mold or mold clean-up, visit the Centers for

Disease Control (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov/mold/cleanup.htm.