DEH Warns Public of Mould Growth

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DEH Warns Public of Mould Growth

http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-11528--1-1---.html

Published on Sunday, November 16, 2008

Cayman Net News - grand cayman,Cayman Islands

The public needs to be on the lookout for mould, especially after

the recent passage of Hurricane Paloma, said officials from the

Department of Environmental Health (DEH).

Materials that have come in contact with standing water, floodwaters

and rain are the primary breeding ground for mould.

Though usually found outdoors, mould needs moisture to grow. Once

moisture has been introduced into a building, mould can very quickly

reproduce.

People need to be concerned about mould because large quantities may

cause odours, damage furnishings and finishes, and cause health

problems for some people, DEH said. Health complications include

allergic reactions similar to common pollen or animal allergies;

skin irritation; flu-like symptoms; and asthma attacks.

People with special health concerns should consult their doctors if

they are concerned about mould exposure. People who may be affected

more severely and quickly than others include infants; children;

elderly people; pregnant women; people with respiratory conditions,

allergies, or asthma; and people with weakened immune systems, for

example, chemotherapy patients, transplant recipients and persons

with autoimmune diseases.

Correcting the mould problem can eliminate most of these issues.

Keeping areas as clean and dry as possible can prevent growth.

Materials that stay wet for more than 48 hours are likely to produce

mould. Materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned or

dried should be discarded, and this includes ceiling tiles,

wallboard and carpeting. Lowering the humidity by use of air

conditioners and dehumidifiers will lessen the likelihood of mould

growth.

If people find mould in their homes, they should clean it up by

washing and disinfecting the walls, floors, closets, shelves, and

contents with common household cleaning products and disinfectants

such as bleach.

People need to be careful about mixing household cleaners together,

however. The labels need to be read and the instructions followed

carefully. Alleviate fumes from cleaning agents by opening windows

and doors. Use fans both during and after the use of disinfecting,

cleaning, and sanitizing agents.

During the cleaning process, people should wear gloves, eye

protection, and a dust mask (an N95 or P100 dust mask is ideal) to

protect against breathing airborne spores. The N95 dust masks are

available at some supermarkets and hardware stores on the island.

For further information, contact DEH at 949-6696.

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