Mold concerns have been growing since record flooding slammed the state last mon

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Mold concerns have been growing since record flooding slammed the

state last month.

DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines,IA*

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20080709/NEWS/807090344

Part of the worry relates to health, as homeowners and volunteers

scrub homes and come into contact with the growths.

The Iowa Department of Public Health has been receiving more calls

from Iowans about mold, said Ken Sharp, director of the division of

environmental health with the state department.

" We're not seeing anything unusual, " he said.

Here's what he had to say about some of the questions Iowans are

asking.

1. Health risks

There's little risk from mold, Sharp said, and the majority of

Iowans don't need to be concerned.

About half the population has an allergy to it, but most will have a

mild reaction - sore throat, itchy eyes or congestion. " It's really

more of a hay fever reaction, " he said. " We really don't see the

really severe cases. " The biggest health risk is in the cleanup as

residents become careless or rushed and injure themselves.

2. Testing

Sharp doesn't recommend having mold tested to see what type is in a

home. " Our approach is that it really doesn't matter what type of

mold you have in the home. Our opinion is that if you can visibly

see mold growing in the home, you've got a mold problem, " he said.

3. Surfaces

If mold gets on porous surfaces such as carpet or drywall, the

surface needs to be removed with care to limit the spores that are

knocked loose during cleanup. The materials should be thrown out.

Other surfaces that can be cleaned are structural framings that are

in good integrity - tiling, concrete walls, countertops. Sharp said

using a water-and-bleach solution (10-part water to one-part is

typical) or any household cleaning agent will do. He advises wearing

long clothing during cleanup and, if possible, boots, rubber gloves

and eye protection. If the area is dusty, it might be advisable to

wear a mask. People should talk to their health care providers.

He advises that people with upper respiratory infections, COPD or

have a known trigger to mold be especially careful and consult a

doctor.

4. Dry out

Once mold is removed from a surface, it's important to let the

material thoroughly dry.

" If they take drywall off and boards behind are wet and they cover

it right back up, the mold will come back, " Sharp said. He said

there will always be mold spores present, so it's important to get

rid of the moist environment that encourages its growth.

5. Look

Sharp advised keeping an eye - " a good long look " - on areas that

had been wet or cleaned to make sure the mold doesn't return.