FEMA: Mold can be major threat to homeowners

[Guest guest]

June 14, 2010

FEMA: Mold can be major threat to homeowners

By Ronica

Register News Writer

http://richmondregister.com/localnews/x1996926102/FEMA-Mold-can-be-major-threat-\

to-homeowners

RICHMOND — Even though the flooding from early May has subsided, homeowners

should remain aware of the danger that lies underneath.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives are alerting people

to the problems created by the onset of mold.

" Mold can be a problem any time you've had moisture, " said Skeels,

public information office for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. " It

becomes a major health risk. Mold grows very quickly if it isn't dried out

quickly and well ventilated. "

Molds are simple microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors and

outdoors, according to information provided by FEMA.

Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on,

and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material. In addition to the damage

molds can cause in your home, they can also cause mild to severe health

problems.

When molds are present in large quantities they can cause allergic symptoms

similar to those caused by plant pollen.

Typical symptoms reported from mold exposure include respiratory problems (such

as wheezing and asthma attacks), burning or watery eyes, nose or throat

irritations, skin irritations like rashes or hives, and nervous system disorders

such as headaches, memory loss and mood changes.

To remove mold effectively, FEMA suggests wearing a filter mask and gloves to

avoid contact with the mold.

Remove all porous materials throughout the home, including ceiling tiles and

wood products.

Carpet cannot be cleaned of mold by simply being dried.

" Carpeting can be a difficult problem, " the report states. " Drying does not

remove the dead spores. If there is heavy mold, disposal of the carpet should be

considered. Allow areas to dry two to three days before replacing damaged

materials. "

Visit chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/mold.htm to learn more about the dangers of mold

and ways to clean and remove mold properly.

Skeels is just one of the FEMA representatives in Kentucky assisting those

affected by the May 1 and May 2 severe flooding that covered the central

Kentucky region.

A Richmond disaster relief location was opened in May at the Madison County

Joint Information Center on S. Keeneland Drive.

Since opening, 366 Madison County residents have registered for federal

assistance needed after flooding, and 4,846 people have registered across the

state, Skeels said.

More than $14 million has been given statewide, he said.

Of that amount, $12.5 million has been issued for housing assistance, and $2.5

million has been awarded through Small Business Administration loans.

Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to register, then stop by the Madison County Joint

Information Center at 558 S. Keeneland Dr. to register for FEMA flood

assistance.

Ronica can be reached at rshannon@... or 624-6608.

[Guest guest]

KC: when I read this article and saw the medical issues FEMA reports when

one is exposed to mold, I couldn't help but think of the Senator Kennedy's

GAO report on mold and the fact that federal government agencies are not

communicating with each other about mold and what is known. This article

recognizes that mold exposure and health problems is far beyond an allergic

response. I wish they all could get on the same page.

Mulvey son

[Guest guest]

instead of saying mold in large quantities can cause allergy type symptoms, why

dont they just say it can actually cause mold allergies

when exposed to large amounts.

>

> June 14, 2010

>

> FEMA: Mold can be major threat to homeowners

> By Ronica

> Register News Writer

>

>

http://richmondregister.com/localnews/x1996926102/FEMA-Mold-can-be-major-threat-\

to-homeowners

>

> RICHMOND — Even though the flooding from early May has subsided, homeowners

should remain aware of the danger that lies underneath.

>

> Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives are alerting people

to the problems created by the onset of mold.

>

> " Mold can be a problem any time you've had moisture, " said Skeels,

public information office for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. " It

becomes a major health risk. Mold grows very quickly if it isn't dried out

quickly and well ventilated. "

>

> Molds are simple microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors and

outdoors, according to information provided by FEMA.

>

> Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow

on, and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material. In addition to the

damage molds can cause in your home, they can also cause mild to severe health

problems.

>

> When molds are present in large quantities they can cause allergic symptoms

similar to those caused by plant pollen.

>

> Typical symptoms reported from mold exposure include respiratory problems

(such as wheezing and asthma attacks), burning or watery eyes, nose or throat

irritations, skin irritations like rashes or hives, and nervous system disorders

such as headaches, memory loss and mood changes.

>

> To remove mold effectively, FEMA suggests wearing a filter mask and gloves to

avoid contact with the mold.

>

> Remove all porous materials throughout the home, including ceiling tiles and

wood products.

>

> Carpet cannot be cleaned of mold by simply being dried.

>

> " Carpeting can be a difficult problem, " the report states. " Drying does not

remove the dead spores. If there is heavy mold, disposal of the carpet should be

considered. Allow areas to dry two to three days before replacing damaged

materials. "

>

> Visit chfs.ky.gov/dph/info/phps/mold.htm to learn more about the dangers of

mold and ways to clean and remove mold properly.

>

> Skeels is just one of the FEMA representatives in Kentucky assisting those

affected by the May 1 and May 2 severe flooding that covered the central

Kentucky region.

>

> A Richmond disaster relief location was opened in May at the Madison County

Joint Information Center on S. Keeneland Drive.

>

> Since opening, 366 Madison County residents have registered for federal

assistance needed after flooding, and 4,846 people have registered across the

state, Skeels said.

>

> More than $14 million has been given statewide, he said.

>

> Of that amount, $12.5 million has been issued for housing assistance, and $2.5

million has been awarded through Small Business Administration loans.

>

> Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to register, then stop by the Madison County Joint

Information Center at 558 S. Keeneland Dr. to register for FEMA flood

assistance.

>

> Ronica can be reached at rshannon@... or 624-6608.

>

[Guest guest]

I agree - it does depend on the individual.

More importantly, as we all know, the allergic reactions are not the only

problem. Mold causes problems when it lands on appropriate substrates and has

enough water to colonize. This is when voc's, toxins and other problematic

propagules are generated, not to mention the harmful actinomycetes and bacteria.

Of course the flood waters are also laden with other biological and chemical

contaminants that are inherent to surface and ground water.

Connie Morbach, M.S., CHMM, CIE

Sanit-Air, Inc.

> >

> > June 14, 2010

> >

> > FEMA: Mold can be major threat to homeowners

> > By Ronica

> > Register News Writer

> >

> >

http://richmondregister.com/localnews/x1996926102/FEMA-Mold-can-be-major-threat-\

to-homeowners

> >

> > RICHMOND — Even though the flooding from early May has subsided, homeowners

should remain aware of the danger that lies underneath.

> >

> > Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives are alerting

people to the problems created by the onset of mold.

> >

> > " Mold can be a problem any time you've had moisture, " said Skeels,

public information office for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. " It

becomes a major health risk. Mold grows very quickly if it isn't dried out

quickly and well ventilated. "

> >

> >