VIDEO PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Mold After a Disaster
(1 minute 32 seconds)
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Hello. I’m Doctor Steve Redd with the U.S. Public Health Service assigned to CDC.
When you get ready to go home, here is some information you should know about mold.
Many people want to know how to get rid of mold. You can clean a small amount of mold yourself. Use a solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water. That’s 1 cup of bleach – to 1 gallon of water.
Remember, never mix bleach or products containing bleach -- with ammonia -- or products containing ammonia. Read the label on any product to see what it contains.
If you see mold that covers more than 10 square feet, consider getting a professional to remove it.
How about mold and your health? Well, if you are allergic to mold, or have asthma, being around mold may make your condition worse. If you have a chronic lung condition or a weak immune system, you could develop mold infections in your lungs and you should try to avoid buildings contaminated with mold. If you think that mold is affecting your health, please see your health care provider.
In general you don’t need a protective mask, called a N95 mask, just for re-entering a building, but if you plan to clean up mold you should buy one at your local home supply store and follow instructions on the package for fitting it tightly on your face.
Thank you.
- Page last updated June 25, 2007
- Content source: National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention (CCEHIP)
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