Guest guest Posted June 21, 2008 Report Share Posted June 21, 2008 Experts warn about mold DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines,IA* By MASON KERNS • Register Correspondent • June 21, 2008 http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20080621/NEWS/806210333/-1/NEWS04 Iowa City, Ia. - Public health experts at the University of Iowa offered a key advice to flood victims: Don't mess with mold. The fungus, almost always visible, typically takes three to five days to start growing inside flooded homes. Mold produces airborne spores that, when breathed in, can lead to wheezing and nausea, trigger allergies and asthma, cause skin rashes and permanently damage lungs. Wayne on professor of occupational and environmental health at the University of Iowa, said the prevalence of mold in floods renders testing for it " a waste of time and money. " " Mold is going to be rampant. We know it's there, " on said Friday. While mold can grow almost anywhere in homes, it is typically found around air conditioners and bathrooms, and within porous materials, such as carpeting, dry wall, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, furniture, and food, a U of I fact sheet noted. " Most of these (porous) materials just need to be pitched, " said Jim Merchant, dean of the U of I College of Public Health. " As a rule of thumb, if water has been in an area 48 hours, people can assume there's going to be mold. " on said nonporous surfaces such as counters, tile, and wood floors can be cleansed of mold, but those doing the scrubbing need to wear a respiratory device. The panel of experts also focused on water quality. Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology at the University Hygienic Laboratory, said it is essential that public water consumers heed boiling orders, and that private-well owners in flood-ridden areas flush, shock-chlorinate, and test the water for coliform bacteria and E.coli. Hall, noting that flooded rivers almost always contain sewage — and the gastrointestinal infections associated with it — said private- well owners should contact their county-health departments for free testing kits, but only after flushing and shock-chlorinating, two services that a number of disaster-recovery firms offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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