Do you have mold?

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Do you have mold?

2TheAdvocate - Baton Rouge,LA*

Advocate staff report

Published: Sep 5, 2008 - Page: 1E

http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/27888189.html

The most practical way to find a mold problem is by using your

eyes to look for mold growth and wetness, and by using your nose to

locate a suspicious odor, according to the LSU AgCenter experts.

If you see mold or if there is an earthy or musty smell, you should

assume a mold problem exists. Other clues are signs of excess

moisture or the worsening of allergylike symptoms. A moisture

detector can be a helpful tool.

Look for visible mold growth (may appear cottony, velvety, granular

or leathery and have varied colors of white, gray, brown, black,

yellow, green). Mold often appears as discoloration, staining or

fuzzy growth on the surface of building materials or furnishings, or

behind vinyl wallpaper.

To clean up and remove indoor mold growth in small quantities,

follow these steps as they apply to your home.

n Items which have absorbed moisture (porous materials) and which

have mold growing on them need to be removed, bagged and thrown

away. Such materials may include gypsum wallboard, insulation,

plaster, carpet/carpet pad, ceiling tiles, processed wood products

(other than solid wood) and paper products.

Hang plastic sheeting to separate the work area from the rest of the

home. Disturbing mold colonies can cause a massive release of

spores.

Cover mold with plastic to contain spores before removing moldy

material. Enclose all moldy materials in plastic (bags or sheets)

before carrying through the home.

Cover central air registers and outlets with plastic and seal gaps

around doors. Place a fan in a window of the work room to exhaust

air to the outdoors.

Clean surfaces. Non-porous materials with surface mold growth may be

saved if they are cleaned well and kept dry. Cleaning must remove

and capture the mold contamination, because dead spores and mold

particles still cause health problems if they are left in place.

Use protective equipment, such as rubber gloves and eye goggles,

when handling mold-contaminated materials. Wear long sleeves and

long pants that can be easily removed in the work area and laundered

or discarded. Wear a medium-efficiency or high-efficiency filter

mask (can be found at safety equipment suppliers, hardware stores,

paint stores or some other home centers) — at a minimum, use an N-95

or equivalent mask or respirator.

Thoroughly scrub all contaminated surfaces using a stiff brush, hot

water and a non-ammonia soap/detergent or commercial cleaner. Use a

nonphosphate cleaner or rinse thoroughly to completely remove any

phosphate residue (which can provide food for new growth).

After cleaning to remove all visible mold and other soiling from

contaminated surfaces, you may choose to use a disinfectant to kill

any mold missed by the cleaning, if you and others are not sensitive

to the disinfectant.

On color-fast, non-metal surfaces, you can disinfect with a solution

of ø to ‰ cup bleach per gallon. Do not use bleach in the air-

conditioning system.

Milder and less corrosive disinfectants include alcohols,

disinfecting cleaners and hydrogen peroxide. Follow directions

carefully.

Collect any run-off of bleach solution with a wet/dry vacuum, sponge

or mop. However, do not rinse or wipe the bleach solution off the

areas being treated — allow it to dry on the surface.

Always handle bleach with caution. Never mix bleach with ammonia —

toxic chlorine gas may result. Bleach can irritate the eyes, nose,

throat and skin. Provide fresh air. Protect skin and eyes from

contact with bleach. Test solution on a small area before treatment,

since bleach is very corrosive and may damage some materials.

Dry any materials that are wet as soon and quickly as possible. Use

fans and dehumidifiers, if possible, and move wet items away from

walls and off floors. New mold colonies can form in as little as

three days if cleaned materials stay wet.

Remain on mold alert

Continue looking for signs of moisture problems or return of mold

growth. Be particularly alert to moisture in areas of past growth.

If mold returns, repeat cleaning steps and consider using speed

drying equipment and moisture meters to ensure sufficient dryness.

Regrowth may signal that the material was not dry enough, should be

removed, or that the source of the moisture problem is not corrected.

When to rebuild

Rebuilding and refurnishing should wait until all affected materials

have dried completely. Be patient. It takes time to dry out wet

building materials.

Be sure to continue dehumidification and watching out for telltale

signs that the moisture problem might be recurring.

More information

Following are Web sites with useful information and resources. When

seeking information or services, carefully consider the credibility

or potential bias of the source.

Asthma/Allergies

EPA — Indoor Air Quality Clearinghouse has information on many IAQ

issues involving asthma. http://www.epa.gov/iag

American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology — educational

information about allergies and asthma.

http://www.aaaai.org/defalult.stm

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America – educational information

about asthma and allergies. http://www.aafa.org

American Lung Association – information, research, publications on

asthma, allergies and respiratory health. http://www.lungusa.org

North Carolina ative Extension Service – Home Care has

information on removal of mildew and carpet odor.

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/homecare2/data/hc2.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Provides information

about indoor air quality, including mold.

http://www.cdc.govnceh/airpollution/mold

EPA – Comprehensive list of mold resources and publications.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldresources.html

California Dept. of Health Services – Indoor Air Quality

Information. http://www.cal-iaq.org/mold9803.htm

Finding help

Here are some recommendations from the Louisiana Department of

Health and Hospitals for finding a licensed mold clean-up contractor:

Contact the LSLBC, Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors,

for Dos and Don'ts when you hire a contractor.

Check with your insurance agent for referrals.

Get the contractor's business name and address.

Get in writing the estimated start and completion dates and the

total amount to be paid when the work is done.

Never pay more than a percent of the total cost down at the

beginning of the job.