Mold Can Be a Health Risk after Storms and Flooding
Release Date: June 8, 2007
Release Number: 1699-026
» More Information on Kansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
WICHITA, Kan. -- Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) strongly urge Kansans whose homes may have been damaged in the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding of May 4-18 to use caution when returning to their storm-damaged homes.
"People are anxious to get on with their lives after storms and flooding," said Michael L. Karl federal coordinating officer for the Kansas disaster. "But if you had flood waters in your home, take the time to thoroughly clean it so problems don't arise later that affect your home and health."
When a home has been flooded or soaked by rain, it can be susceptible to mold and mildew which can cause serious illness, particularly in children and older people.
Mold can damage wood and other parts of a building.
Dry flooded structures thoroughly and quickly. Mold spores are almost everywhere and will grow on moist carpets, furniture and other materials. Paper backing on both the exterior and interior sides of sheetrock absorbs water and water vapor into the gypsum material where unseen mold can grow.
Here are tips from FEMA and KDHE on cleaning up after a flood:
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Wipe off visible mold and clean floors and other hard surfaces with a mild soapy solution.
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Rinse and thoroughly dry the area using fans and dehumidifiers.
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Wash clothing and other fabric items with laundry soap and thoroughly dry them.
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Spraying with bleach or other mold retardant, or simply painting over the mold, only masks the problem and does not stop mold growth.
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Sanitize and dry, or remove wet ceiling tiles, wallboard, carpet, upholstered furniture and other porous materials immediately.
- Discard items with mold that cannot be removed.
If mold covers a small area, you might be able to eliminate it. However, if mold growth is over a large area, or if it has grown into surfaces such as walls or floors, contacting a professional who specializes in mold removal is recommended.
"Mold is a significant problem after flooding and proper cleanup is critical to ensure it doesn't affect you or your family's health," said Roderick L. Bremby, Secretary of KDHE. "Anything that's been in contact with flood water is potentially contaminated, and people need to proceed on that assumption. It's important to clean and dry out even potentially contaminated materials as quickly as possible." he said.
"Keep an eye out for ongoing moisture problems," Bremby said. "Flooding can cause changes in your property - and as a result, you could have moisture problems that weren't present before."
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 08-Jun-2007 16:14:09