Got Mold? Clean, Disinfect and Dry, Officials Advise
Release Date: September 20, 2004
Release Number: 1539-128
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ORLANDO, Fla. – Floodwaters from the recent hurricanes may have subsided, but if your home was flooded it could be harboring mold. Disaster recovery and health officials warn that victims of flooding due to the recent hurricanes should clean flood-damaged homes thoroughly now to avoid possible health problems from mold and mildew in the months ahead.
"The hurricanes have passed, but the risk to public health still exists,” said Florida Department of Health Secretary John O. Agwunobi, M.D. “Mold is a significant problem after flooding and proper cleanup is critical to ensure it doesn't affect your or your family's health.”
Care must be taken to clean and completely dry any areas of the home that have gotten wet from floodwaters to prevent structural damage and adverse health effects from mold.
"People are anxious to get on with their lives after a flood, but those who had flooding in their home should take the time to clean thoroughly,” said Bill Carwile, Federal Coordinating Officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. “Don’t wait until an inspector comes to your home to clean. Make your homes safe and sanitary as soon as possible.”
Dampness in walls, carpets, insulation and wood caused by flooding provides an environment for mold to flourish. These materials generally should be discarded if they become saturated.
While mold is sometimes difficult to detect, often it can be seen or smelled. Sometimes mold appears in the form of splotchy discoloration, ranging from white to orange and from green to brown and black. Its odor is earthy or musty.
When a large amount of mold is present, it can trigger allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems. In addition, exposure can cause development of an allergy to mold, resulting in long-term health problems.
Mold can also cause structural damage. When wood goes through a period of wetting, then drying, it can eventually warp and cause walls to crack or become structurally weak. Mold can also ruin paper and fabric.
The basic rule: If mold can be seen or smelled, steps should be taken to eliminate the excess moisture at its source and to clean up and remove the mold. Caution should be practiced because inhaling mold spores can cause illness.
For additional information, see the attached Fact Sheet.
The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) is a collaboration of Florida’s emergency management agencies led by the state coordinating officer. SERT’s mission is to ensure that Florida is prepared to respond to emergencies, recover from them, and mitigate their impact. Visit http://www.floridadisaster.org for the latest information on the hurricane relief effort.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 20-Sep-2004 15:32:37