Tips For Hurricane Dolly Flood Related Mold Clean Up Mold grows easily in flood-related conditions, which include standing water, humid air and wet surfaces The longer these conditions remain the more the mold growth can spread. Mold has been an issue before on South Padre Island and the subject of several lawsuits.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that ‘surfaces wet longer than 48 hours with “clean water” should be considered as potentially contaminated, and any surfaces in contact with “dirty water” should be considered contaminated’.
In addition, to lessen the chances of a mold colony growing in a store/business, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that
1) the humidity level be kept below 50 percent;
2) an air conditioner or dehumidifier be used;
3) adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans, in the kitchen and bathrooms, be used;
4) to add mold inhibitors to paints before applying them;
5) bathrooms be cleaned with mold-killing products; and,
6) not to put carpeting in bathrooms, basements, or other areas where moisture or water could be a concern.
Mold is a group of microscopic fungi, which also includes mildew and other organisms that rot materials on which they grow. Molds can often be invisible to the eye. A blotch of black, gray, white, red, orange, yellow, blue or violet fuzzy or slimy growth is usually the result of widespread mold growth. Besides infection and allergic reactions, excessive mold growth indoors can result in offensive, musty odors from the gases released by certain molds as they grow and die.
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), a global non-profit organization, is dedicated to advancing safety, health, and environmental issues.
It is ASSE's belief that mold has become an important safety, health, and environmental issue. ASSE offers the following tips for cleaning a facility/building area affected by mold:- Avoid direct contact with affected mold areas as much as possible.
- If it can be thrown away, throw it away. Replacements may be less expensive in the long term (and short term) than attempting to decontaminate some surfaces.
- If it cannot be disposed of, decontaminate and then dry as thoroughly as possible.
- Moisture removal is a key factor to preventing future growth.
- Wallboard can often be cut to the point of contamination and then replaced with new sections.
- Clean all tools after use, or dispose if possible, and also clean tools after each shift.
- When in doubt about the structural integrity of a facility, obtain an evaluation by a licensed and qualified builder or structural engineer before entering.
- Individuals involved in mold remediation should be aware that attempts to mix chemicals to clean surfaces can cause further damage, such as the toxic gases that can be released when ammonia and bleach are mixed.
For ASSE’s position statement on mold in the indoor working environment go to
www.asse.org/professionalaffairs/govtaffairs/moldfinal0406.php
For more information and resources on mold safety and remediation read
http://flv.alicedonahue.com/mold_fact.pdf
Regarding mold and its potential to cause adverse health effects or aggravate pre-existing conditions, there is some consensus that certain population sectors have a higher risk of such adverse health effects, including the elderly, children, and persons with reduced or compromised immune systems.
There are many different types of biological organisms and bioaerosols present in the indoor environment. Mold, a group of microscopic fungi, is just one of these types. These spore-producing organisms can thrive in certain indoor conditions - when there is a temperature range conducive to growth, sufficient water or moisture, and a source of nutrients or food. While ubiquitous in nature, excessive mold in the indoor environment can result in offensive odors from the volatile organic compounds released by certain molds during growth and death cycles, and destruction of building components by penetration of the filaments and hyphae produced.
Health Effects
Although current research does not conclusively indicate that mold causes illness in the normal, healthy working population, there is some evidence that excessive exposure to mold may aggravate pre-existing respiratory conditions such as allergic rhinitis and asthma, and may cause allergic reactions in some people. Although adverse health effects related to exposure to mold have been reported, at this time, there is not a conclusive link to pulmonary hemorrhage nor is there conclusive evidence that mold-related illnesses are increasing. Currently there is not consensus among SH&E and health care professionals as to the level of mold exposure that is acceptable in indoor environments.
Preventive Measures
Regular visual inspections for signs of mold growth and proper building design, operation, and maintenance are key to preventing mold-related incidents in building occupants. Routine measures can be taken to minimize mold growth indoors, primarily by controlling water intrusion into buildings including leaks, condensation, and excessive moisture in outdoor air.
There are several key indicators that the level of mold present in a building may be a problem:
• When there are obvious and hidden causes of excess moisture such as roof and water leaks, humid conditions, lack of positive building pressurization, and improper or compromised vapor barriers
• When there are complaints of musty odors or visual signs of mold growth
When assessing a building, it is critical to identify and understand:
• How the building is currently operating with respect to heating, ventilating and air-conditioning
• Any patterns or cycles of complaints
• Visual signs of uncontrolled moisture incursion or mold growth