KING COUNTY, WA - On Public Health Week, Public Health - Seattle & King County is alerting residents of the health problems associated with having mold and mildew in homes and suggesting measures to prevent and eliminate their presence.

"Although mold is part of our Northwest environment, we shouldn't have mold inside our homes," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "You can enjoy significant health benefits from living in a mold-free home."

"If you smell mold or mildew when you enter your home, or if you go to bed at night breathing easily but wake up congested, you may have a serious mold problem in your home," said David Williams, an indoor air quality specialist at Public Health.

People who live in a moldy home may suffer from stuffy nose, eye irritation, headaches, shortness of breath, fatigue, dry cough and other symptoms.

Those who already have severe allergies, suffer from respiratory diseases like asthma, or are immune compromised are most affected because mold stimulates a respiratory and immune system response.

Preventing and eliminating mold

Mold, a form of fungi, grows in homes because there is too much moisture. By controlling the level of moisture in your home, mold can be eliminated.

"An effective strategy to prevent molds from growing is to get moist air out and introduce fresh air into your home," said Williams.

How to get moisture out of the home

• Flush the air two or three times a day (for three to four minutes open all the doors and windows and bring in fresh air).
• Ventilate the bathroom and the kitchen with an exhaust fan.
• Assure that the dryer vents freely to the outside.

How to stop moisture from coming in

• Stop any leaks from the roof, poorly-drained gutters and plumbing.
• Stop water from entering basements and crawlspaces.
• Properly insulate walls and ceilings.
• Regrade ground to drain surface water away from home.

Other preventive measures

• Use easy to clean paint and wallpaper, especially in bathrooms.
• Install a timer switch on your bathroom fan, and leave the fan on for 15 minutes after showering.
• When cooking, try to minimize simmering of liquids and foods.
• Keep furniture away from outside walls where mold might grow.

Steps to eliminate existing mold in the home

• Clean up mold growing on surfaces by scrubing it with regular soap and water.
• Next, apply a bleach solution on the effected area (one part chlorine bleach to four parts water).

TV program on indoor air quality

During the month of April, Public Health's new television program, "Spotlight on Environmental Health: Indoor Air Quality at Home," will address common questions and issues regarding air quality in homes.

The television program includes:

• a questionnaire to help residents determine if they have an indoor air quality problem
• a "tour of homes" to show what can cause poor indoor air quality at home
• a demonstration of household products that contribute to indoor air pollution
• simple and inexpensive ways to improve air quality
• resources to assist in understanding, evaluating and improving the air quality in homes

The program will air on King County's Civic Television (CTV) on Wednesday (5 p.m.), Thursday (5 a.m.), and Friday (9:30 a.m.) (Days and times subject to change). For other days and times on CTV, please look for the "Environmental Focus" listing at www.metrokc.gov/ctv.

For specific questions on indoor air, please call Public Health's Indoor Air Quality Program at 206-205-4394.