Mold battle begins

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Mold battle begins

Experts say mold is dangerous for both the body and the home

Dubuque Telegraph Herald - Dubuque,IA*

By REBECCA CARTON TH staff writer

http://www.thonline.com/article.cfm?id=206779

First came the water, now comes the mold.

With the tri-states still drying out from recent flooding, health

experts advise homeowners to be aware of mold, which could not only

cause health problems but structural problems to buildings.

Because mold thrives in a moist, humid environment, moisture control

is the key to eliminating mold from a building.

" Molds are all over us in the environment, " said McKinley,

manager of industrial hygiene services for Terracon Consultants Inc.

in Naperville, Ill. " The idea is to keep those areas dry, and you

suppress the growth. "

But mold can grow quickly.

Dubuque Public Health Specialist Rose Corrigan said homeowners

should attempt to dry out the majority of their home within 48 hours.

" Any carpet or cellulose, fiber material that isn't dried out in 24

or 48 hours is subject to mold growth, " she said.

Mold can cause allergic reactions to those who are sensitive to it

and could affect others if not taken care of right away.

Although effects may not be felt right away, Tom Sieger, News You

Can Use

For additional information about cleaning up after flooding and

preventing mold growth, contact the American Industrial Hygiene

Association at 703-849-8888 or www.aiha.org.

deputy administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Health and

Family Services, said long-term exposure to mold can cause health

complications.

" (Mold) can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing and eye

irritation, " he said. " That's the thing you want to avoid. "

Despite its adverse health effects, Corrigan said one of the most

harmful qualities of mold is its ability to " eat away building

components " such as wood, plaster and drywall.

Mold can devour walls, and can cause significant structural damage

to a home or building.

" If it stays there long enough, wood rot is caused by mold, "

McKinley said. " You'd want to get rid of it so it doesn't eat away

at your home over time. "

The best way to reduce the chance of increased mold comes from

drying out permeable materials quickly.

However, Sieger advises flood victims to use good judgment on

salvaging furniture, carpet and drywall.

" Get a dehumidifier going, (and) you can probably save much of your

furniture, " he said.

Sieger advises contacting an expert for those concerned about

replacing walls.

" Wallboard is notorious for absorbing liquid and mold growth, " he

said. " (With) a lot of saturated drywall, chances are some of that

may have to be removed. It probably would be good to be consulting

someone in construction. "

Although drying items like furniture quickly is the best bet,

McKinley said homeowners take chances in keeping furniture that

might be susceptible to mold growth.

" Short of really testing it, you wouldn't really know so if it's

something like an upholstery or carpeting then there are

professional cleaning companies that can come, " McKinley said. " Just

make sure that there's no people or pets in the house that might

have a reaction to those chemicals they are using. "