Mold poses after-flood danger, FEMA says

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Mold poses after-flood danger, FEMA says

El Paso Times - El Paso,TX*

Dianne Stallings dstallings@...

08/26/2008

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_10311017?source=most_emailed

Following the flood damage affecting areas of Lincoln and Otero

Counties in July, officials with the U.S. Department of Homeland

Security's Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency encourage residents

to learn about safe ways to remove mold.

" While we have not received any reports about mold following the

floods, we know the danger does exist to homes affected by water

damage, " said FEMA Federal Coordinating Of-ficer Casper.

" Our local partners, the state and FEMA are working together to

inform the public about the health hazards associated with mold,

what can be done to minimize it and the safest ways to remove it. "

Mold is likely to occur in homes and buildings affected by flooding.

According to health officials, mold potentially could affect the

health of family members. Exposure to mold can occur during cleanup.

To minimize exposure, wear a breathing mask or use a respirator,

wear rubber gloves and take breaks in a well-ventilated area, they

said.

" To keep your family safe, we encourage residents to follow the

advice of experts to clean or remove mold properly, " said New Mexico

Deputy State Coordinating Officer Don .

" Informational flyers are in the process of being distributed

throughout the affected communities so that people have the

knowledge they need should they have to deal with this issue. "

Mold is a simple microscopic organism found virtually everywhere,

indoors and outdoors, he said. When mold is present in large

quantities

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it can cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant

pollen.

When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers they can

cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other

respiratory problems. Those at higher risk for adverse health

effects from mold are infants and children, the elderly, immune

compromised individuals, pregnant women and individuals with

respiratory conditions such as allergies, multiple chemical

sensitivity and asthma.

People with those conditions should consult a physician if they

experience health problems, they advise.

Porous materials can trap mold. Items such as paper, rags,

wallboard/drywall, plaster and rotten wood should be thrown out.

Harder materials such as glass, plastic and metal can be kept after

they are cleaned and disinfected.

Wear a filter mask and gloves to avoid contact with the mold.

Carpeting can be a difficult problem, because drying does not remove

dead mold spores. If the mold is in high concentrations, disposal of

the carpet should be considered.

Allow areas to dry two to three days before replacing damaged

materials. If the drywall is wet, remove it from the wall at least

12 inches above the highest water mark.

General mold cleanup procedures include:

Identify and correct the moisture source. Re-move all water and fix

any leaks before cleaning.

Clean, disinfect, and dry the moldy area.

Bag and dispose of any material that has a moldy residue, such as

rags, paper, leaves or debris.

Use ammonia-based soap, detergent or a commercial cleaner in hot

water to clean up while wearing protective gloves and a filter mask.

Scrub the entire area affected by mold with a stiff brush or

cleaning pad and rinse with clean water.

To disinfect surfaces after thorough cleaning and rinsing, use a

solution of no more than one cup of household bleach per gallon of

water. Never mix bleach with ammonia, because the fumes are toxic.

Let disinfected areas dry naturally overnight to kill all mold.

For more information or questions concerning mold and your health,

log on to the New Mexico Department of Health's Web site at

www.nmhealth.org/eheb/mold.

Residents may also call FEMA's toll free number between 8 a.m. and 6

p.m., seven days a week at 800-621-FEMA (3362).