The Hazards of Flooding – Parts I and II

[Guest guest]

The Hazards of Flooding – Parts I and II

Posted: Monday, Jul 7th, 2008

Mountain Statesman - grafton,WV*

BY: FEMA

http://www.mountainstatesman.com/V2_news_articles.php?

heading=0 & page= & story_id=1205

Part I: Caution: Floodwater may cause toxic mold

When a natural disaster occurs, there are many unknowns afterward

that can baffle your sense of norm and the desire to control your

life. But with a flood, there is no mystery: floodwaters are the

natural harbinger of highly toxic molds and full of the stuff that

contaminates drinking water in your well.

To help battle both mold and well contamination following floods

such as those inflicted upon north central West Virginia in early

June, there are plans of attack and people trained and ready to

march.

Residents in disaster-declared localities whose wells or septic

systems were damaged as a result of the June 3-7 severe storms,

tornadoes and floods, also may be eligible for financial assistance

from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete

necessary repairs. Homeowners in designated areas may be eligible

for grant funding to pump septic tanks, perform required repairs or

replace the system as needed. Damaged private wells that are the

sole source of water for the home also may be repaired or

decontaminated.

" We don't want anyone living in a house with contaminated water or

exposed to raw sewage, " said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Ed

. " Applicants for state and federal disaster assistance should

advise the FEMA inspector that they have a private well and septic

system. "

Home-repair grants are designed to restore the home to a livable and

sanitary condition. To qualify for this disaster assistance,

applicants must own their home and the home must be their primary

residence. Grants may not restore a home to pre-disaster condition,

and they cannot be used for cosmetic repairs or repairs covered by

insurance.

But before any federally-assisted recovery work can happen, storm

victims must register with FEMA for assistance. Call FEMA's toll-

free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers

are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week until further

notice. Multilingual operators can answer calls. Residents with

Internet access have the option to register on the agency's Web site

at http://www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information is also

available.

Mold Is a Potential Hazard From Flooding

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), mold growth in

water-damaged homes is a potential hazard from flooding. Molds are

simple microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere. They can be

found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic material. Mold

spores are very tiny and lightweight, allowing them to travel

through the air. Mold growths can often be seen in the form of

discoloration, ranging from white to orange and from green to brown

and black. When molds are present in large quantities, they can

cause allergic reactions similar to those caused by plant pollen.

You should be concerned about mold in your home if the contamination

is extensive.

Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an

allergy. Mold can also cause structural damage to your home.

Similarly, when wood goes through a period of wetting, then drying,

it can eventually warp and cause walls to crack or become

structurally weak.

Mold could become a problem if there is enough moisture available to

allow mold to thrive and multiply. Dampness in basements, walls,

carpets, and wood caused by flooding provides an environment for

mold to flourish. You can also be exposed to mold through skin

contact and eating.

It is critical to be proactive in attacking mold and mildew. A 10%

bleach solution

(1 ½ cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water) is recommended. Insurance

companies do not cover mold and mildew damage, nor does FEMA.

For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can cause

health problems. The basic rule is, if you can see or smell mold,

take steps to eliminate the excess moisture, and to cleanup and

remove the mold. It is important to quickly identify and correct any

moisture sources before health problems develop. Infants, children,

immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with

existing respiratory conditions, (allergies, multiple chemical

sensitivity, and asthma) and the elderly appear to be at higher

risks for adverse health effects from mold.

Allergic reactions may be the most common health problem of mold

exposure.

Typical symptoms reported (alone or in combination)

• Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing

• Nasal and sinus congestion

• Eyes - burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity

• Dry, hacking cough

• Sore throat

• Nose and throat irritation

• Shortness of breath

• Skin irritation

• Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory

problems, and mood changes)

• Aches and pains

• Possible fever

You can tell if you have mold in your home if you can see it, or if

there is an earthy or musty odor. Allergic individuals may

experience the symptoms listed above. Visible mold growth is found

underneath materials where water has damaged surfaces, or behind

walls. Look for discoloration and leaching from plaster. In any

event, be cautious.

Part II: Be careful during your mold clean up

Before beginning work on a flooded home, make sure the electricity

is turned off. Unplug appliances and lamps. Remove light bulbs and

cover plates of wall switches and outlets that got wet. If local

building inspection code allows you to disconnect wiring from

switches and outlets, do so and throw them away. If your building

inspector says that you cannot disconnect the wiring, pull them

forward, away from the wall, and leave them connected.

Remove as much mud as possible. Once you have checked the water

system for leaks, hose down the inside of the house and its

contents. It is best to use an attachment that sprays soap to wash

and rinse the walls, floors, furniture, sockets, electrical boxes,

and other major items that got muddy. Use a non-ammonia soap or

detergent, or a commercial cleaner, in hot water, and scrub the

entire area affected by the mold. A stiff brush or cleaning pad

works well on block walls or uneven surfaces. Rinse clean with

water. A wet/dry vacuum is handy for this process.

• Remove heating and cooling registers and ducts, then hose them to

prevent contamination when blowing through the ducts at a later

date. Next, wash with a disinfectant that is quaternary, phenolic or

pine-oil based. If ducts are in a slab or otherwise inaccessible,

have them cleaned professionally.

• Disinfect and dry the moldy area. It is critical to remove the

source of moisture, before beginning to cleanup, as mold growth will

return, if the area becomes wet again.

• Bag and dispose any material that has moldy residues, such as

rags, paper, leaves, or debris. Harder materials such as glass,

plastic, or metal can be kept after they are cleaned and disinfected.

• Wear gloves when handling moldy materials. Moldy materials should

be removed as follows:

Remove porous materials (examples: ceiling tiles, sheetrock,

carpeting, wood products).

Carpeting can be a difficult problem – drying does not remove the

dead spores. If there is heavy mold, consider replacing.

Allow the area to dry two or three days.

If flooded, remove all sheetrock to at least 12 inches above the

high water mark.

Visually inspect the wall interior and remove any other intrusive

molds. (This step may have to be carried out by a licensed

contractor.)

• Use caution, as spores are easily released when moldy material is

dried out. When cleaning these damaged materials, consider wearing a

mask or using a respirator. Respirators can be purchased from

hardware stores; select one for particle removal (sometimes referred

to as a N95 or TC-21C particulate respirator). Respirators are not

as effective removing bleach fumes, so minimize your exposure when

using bleach or other disinfectants.

• After thorough cleaning and rinsing, disinfect the area with a

solution of 10% household bleach, e.g., 1 1/2 cup bleach per gallon

of water. Using bleach straight from the bottle will not be more

effective. Never mix bleach with Ammonia – the fumes are toxic.

Avoid

excessive amounts of runoff or standing bleach. Make sure the

working area is well ventilated.

• Try cleaning a small test patch of mold first. If you feel that

this adversely affected your health, you should consider paying a

licensed contractor or professional to carry out the work.

• Ask others to leave the areas when being cleaned.

• Work over short time spans and rest in a fresh air location.

• Air your house out well during and after the work.

Some final advice: Never use a gasoline engine indoors – you could

expose yourself and your family to deadly carbon monoxide.

If mold odors persist, continue to dry out the area and search for

any hidden areas of mold. If the area continues to smell musty, you

may have to re-clean the area. Continue to dry and ventilate the

area. Don't replace flooring or begin rebuilding until the area has

dried completely.

[Guest guest]

A NATURAL DISASTER

HAPPENED TO ME,

A NATURAL DISASTER, BUT

NO FEMA,I SEE.

ONLY THE ACOEM PLAYING

JUDGE AND JURY,

WHEN MY NATURAL DISASTER,

HAPPENED TO ME.

NO HELP FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANIES,

NO HELP WITH MY SEVERE BRAIN INJURY.

TREATED SO BAD IN MY TIME OF NEED,

ADDED INSULT ONLY TO MY MISERY.

NOW THE ACOEM CRYING " WE WERE PRESSURED YOU SEE "

" IT'S NOT OUR FAULT, IT WAS THE INDUSTRIES "

OH, BUT I DONT RECALL IN THE RAT STUDY THEY DID ,

WHERE THEY SAID INDUSTRY HAD A GUN TO THEIR HEAD.

AS I RECALL THEY WERE QUITE SMUG,

WITH THEIR LITTLE RAT STUDY AND

THEIR BIG INDUSTRY THUG'S.

HOW DARE THEY ALL PLAY SUCH A WICKED GAME,

WHILE SO MANY LIVES IN THE BALANCE DID HANG.

THEY REALLY SHOULD BE ON TRIAL, YOU SEE,

AND WE SHOULD BE THE JUDGE AND JURY.

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> The Hazards of Flooding – Parts I and II

> Posted: Monday, Jul 7th, 2008

> Mountain Statesman - grafton,WV*

> BY: FEMA

>

> http://www.mountainstatesman.com/V2_news_articles.php?

> heading=0 & page= & story_id=1205

>

> Part I: Caution: Floodwater may cause toxic mold

>

> When a natural disaster occurs, there are many unknowns afterward

> that can baffle your sense of norm and the desire to control your

> life. But with a flood, there is no mystery: floodwaters are the

> natural harbinger of highly toxic molds and full of the stuff that

> contaminates drinking water in your well.

>

> To help battle both mold and well contamination following floods

> such as those inflicted upon north central West Virginia in early

> June, there are plans of attack and people trained and ready to

> march.

>

> Residents in disaster-declared localities whose wells or septic

> systems were damaged as a result of the June 3-7 severe storms,

> tornadoes and floods, also may be eligible for financial assistance

> from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete

> necessary repairs. Homeowners in designated areas may be eligible

> for grant funding to pump septic tanks, perform required repairs or

> replace the system as needed. Damaged private wells that are the

> sole source of water for the home also may be repaired or

> decontaminated.

>

> " We don't want anyone living in a house with contaminated water or

> exposed to raw sewage, " said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Ed

> . " Applicants for state and federal disaster assistance should

> advise the FEMA inspector that they have a private well and septic

> system. "

>

> Home-repair grants are designed to restore the home to a livable

and

> sanitary condition. To qualify for this disaster assistance,

> applicants must own their home and the home must be their primary

> residence. Grants may not restore a home to pre-disaster condition,

> and they cannot be used for cosmetic repairs or repairs covered by

> insurance.

>

> But before any federally-assisted recovery work can happen, storm

> victims must register with FEMA for assistance. Call FEMA's toll-

> free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both

numbers

> are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week until

further

> notice. Multilingual operators can answer calls. Residents with

> Internet access have the option to register on the agency's Web

site

> at http://www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information is also

> available.

>

> Mold Is a Potential Hazard From Flooding

>

> According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The

> Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), mold growth in

> water-damaged homes is a potential hazard from flooding. Molds are

> simple microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere. They can

be

> found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic material.

Mold

> spores are very tiny and lightweight, allowing them to travel

> through the air. Mold growths can often be seen in the form of

> discoloration, ranging from white to orange and from green to brown

> and black. When molds are present in large quantities, they can

> cause allergic reactions similar to those caused by plant pollen.

>

> You should be concerned about mold in your home if the

contamination

> is extensive.

>

> Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an

> allergy. Mold can also cause structural damage to your home.

> Similarly, when wood goes through a period of wetting, then drying,

> it can eventually warp and cause walls to crack or become

> structurally weak.

>

> Mold could become a problem if there is enough moisture available

to

> allow mold to thrive and multiply. Dampness in basements, walls,

> carpets, and wood caused by flooding provides an environment for

> mold to flourish. You can also be exposed to mold through skin

> contact and eating.

>

> It is critical to be proactive in attacking mold and mildew. A 10%

> bleach solution

>

> (1 ½ cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water) is recommended. Insurance

> companies do not cover mold and mildew damage, nor does FEMA.

>

> For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can cause

> health problems. The basic rule is, if you can see or smell mold,

> take steps to eliminate the excess moisture, and to cleanup and

> remove the mold. It is important to quickly identify and correct

any

> moisture sources before health problems develop. Infants, children,

> immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with

> existing respiratory conditions, (allergies, multiple chemical

> sensitivity, and asthma) and the elderly appear to be at higher

> risks for adverse health effects from mold.

>

> Allergic reactions may be the most common health problem of mold

> exposure.

>

> Typical symptoms reported (alone or in combination)

>

> • Respiratory problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in

breathing

>

> • Nasal and sinus congestion

>

> • Eyes - burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity

>

> • Dry, hacking cough

>

> • Sore throat

>

> • Nose and throat irritation

>

> • Shortness of breath

>

> • Skin irritation

>

> • Central nervous system problems (constant headaches, memory

> problems, and mood changes)

>

> • Aches and pains

>

> • Possible fever

>

> You can tell if you have mold in your home if you can see it, or if

> there is an earthy or musty odor. Allergic individuals may

> experience the symptoms listed above. Visible mold growth is found

> underneath materials where water has damaged surfaces, or behind

> walls. Look for discoloration and leaching from plaster. In any

> event, be cautious.

>

> Part II: Be careful during your mold clean up

>

> Before beginning work on a flooded home, make sure the electricity

> is turned off. Unplug appliances and lamps. Remove light bulbs and

> cover plates of wall switches and outlets that got wet. If local

> building inspection code allows you to disconnect wiring from

> switches and outlets, do so and throw them away. If your building

> inspector says that you cannot disconnect the wiring, pull them

> forward, away from the wall, and leave them connected.

>

> Remove as much mud as possible. Once you have checked the water

> system for leaks, hose down the inside of the house and its

> contents. It is best to use an attachment that sprays soap to wash

> and rinse the walls, floors, furniture, sockets, electrical boxes,

> and other major items that got muddy. Use a non-ammonia soap or

> detergent, or a commercial cleaner, in hot water, and scrub the

> entire area affected by the mold. A stiff brush or cleaning pad

> works well on block walls or uneven surfaces. Rinse clean with

> water. A wet/dry vacuum is handy for this process.

>

> • Remove heating and cooling registers and ducts, then hose them to

> prevent contamination when blowing through the ducts at a later

> date. Next, wash with a disinfectant that is quaternary, phenolic

or

> pine-oil based. If ducts are in a slab or otherwise inaccessible,

> have them cleaned professionally.

>

> • Disinfect and dry the moldy area. It is critical to remove the

> source of moisture, before beginning to cleanup, as mold growth

will

> return, if the area becomes wet again.

>

> • Bag and dispose any material that has moldy residues, such as

> rags, paper, leaves, or debris. Harder materials such as glass,

> plastic, or metal can be kept after they are cleaned and

disinfected.

>

> • Wear gloves when handling moldy materials. Moldy materials should

> be removed as follows:

>

> Remove porous materials (examples: ceiling tiles, sheetrock,

> carpeting, wood products).

>

> Carpeting can be a difficult problem – drying does not remove the

> dead spores. If there is heavy mold, consider replacing.

>

> Allow the area to dry two or three days.

>

> If flooded, remove all sheetrock to at least 12 inches above the

> high water mark.

>

> Visually inspect the wall interior and remove any other intrusive

> molds. (This step may have to be carried out by a licensed

> contractor.)

>

> • Use caution, as spores are easily released when moldy material is

> dried out. When cleaning these damaged materials, consider wearing

a

> mask or using a respirator. Respirators can be purchased from

> hardware stores; select one for particle removal (sometimes

referred

> to as a N95 or TC-21C particulate respirator). Respirators are not

> as effective removing bleach fumes, so minimize your exposure when

> using bleach or other disinfectants.

>

> • After thorough cleaning and rinsing, disinfect the area with a

> solution of 10% household bleach, e.g., 1 1/2 cup bleach per gallon

> of water. Using bleach straight from the bottle will not be more

> effective. Never mix bleach with Ammonia – the fumes are toxic.

> Avoid

>

> excessive amounts of runoff or standing bleach. Make sure the

> working area is well ventilated.

>

> • Try cleaning a small test patch of mold first. If you feel that

> this adversely affected your health, you should consider paying a

> licensed contractor or professional to carry out the work.

>

> • Ask others to leave the areas when being cleaned.

>

> • Work over short time spans and rest in a fresh air location.

>

> • Air your house out well during and after the work.

>

> Some final advice: Never use a gasoline engine indoors – you could

> expose yourself and your family to deadly carbon monoxide.

>

> If mold odors persist, continue to dry out the area and search for

> any hidden areas of mold. If the area continues to smell musty, you

> may have to re-clean the area. Continue to dry and ventilate the

> area. Don't replace flooring or begin rebuilding until the area has

> dried completely.

>