Mold Remediation Guide for the General Public

1. MoldRemediation Guide for the General Public www.bincorenvironmental.com

2. Purpose • To present guidelines for the remediation and clean-up of mold in homes due to water damage or flooding. • To provide consistent information on how to limit exposure to mold and how to identify and prevent related health effects.

3. Background • Excess moisture in a home or building due to water leaks or flooding increases the likelihood of mold growth. • Those residing in homes affected by water leaks or flooding must take steps to clean and disinfect areas where mold is likely to grow. www.homemoldtestkit.com

4. General Information on Mold • Molds, mushrooms, mildews, and yeasts are all classified as fungi, a kingdom of organisms distinct from plants and animals. • Molds are part of the natural environment and play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees. • However, exposure to mold indoors can cause a variety of health problems including allergic reactions of various forms. www.disaster-solutions.com www.omnitecdesign.com

5. General Information on Mold • Molds are easily recognized by sight or smell since they release a bad odor, earthy smell or a foul stench. • Molds can grow on many surfaces such as wood, paper, carpet, foods and insulation. • Molds reproduce by making tiny spores that are invisible to the naked eye and drift through indoor and outdoor air continually.

6. www.inspect-ny.com www.carnicom.com www.epa.gov www.mold-growth.com www.ehponline.org www.theguardians.com

7. Routes of exposure to Mold Inhalation-The majority of fungal spores have aerodynamic diameters of 2-10 µm (micrometer or micron, one millionth of a meter) which are in the size range that allow particles to be deposited in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Contact–Could occur in a dusty environment, when persons come into contact with a large mass of mold, such as might occur in a building that has been flooded for a long time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micrometre

8. Factors that cause disease from mold • Immunosuppression- persons who do not have healthy immune systems are at increased risk for infection from mold. • Sensitization - exposure to mold can sensitize a person, who then might experience symptoms when re-exposed to the same mold species. • Ingesting toxins that molds produce can also cause disease. • Prolonged exposure to high levels of mold (and some bacterial species) can produce other diseases.

9. Health effects of mold exposure • Generally, undisturbed mold is not a substantial health hazard to most people. • People who are allergic to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing and skin irritation. • Gradually, this may lead to breathing difficulty and shortness of breath. www.jdbasementsystems.com

10. Mold Clean Up – Assessing Exposure to Mold • Assessment is particularly important in determining remedial strategies and the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) for persons in the contaminated area. • Ventilation systems also should be visually checked, particularly for damp filters, damp conditions elsewhere in the system, and overall cleanliness. www.aricanhelp.com

11. Protect Yourself • Protect yourself during assessment as well as clean-up. • PPE=Personal Protective Equipment. • Wear a properly fitted N-95 respirator sold at many hardware stores and follow supplied directions carefully. • Wear Long Gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm, avoid thin rubber dishwashing gloves, use thicker neoprene or PVC gloves. • Wear Goggles that do not have ventilation holes to avoid getting mold or mold spores in the eyes.

12. Moisture Assessment • Moisture meters provide a way to measure moisture levels in building materials such as carpet, wallboard, wood, brick, and concrete. • Damaged materials should be removed and discarded. • Humidity meters can be used to monitor indoor humidity. Models that monitor both temperature and humidity are also available. www.downforensics.com

13. Mold Assessment • Is there… • Visible mold ( walls and ceiling discolored) • Moldy odor ( from a musty, earthy to foul stench) • If moldy area is larger than 10 square feet, consider calling a professional for mold clean-up. • If the area is under 10 square feet, consider clean-up yourself.

14. Clean Up • If the mold area is less than 10 square feet………..

15. Mold Clean-up • Before clean-up begins, steps must be taken to remove all water and sources of water/moisture intrusion. • Determine the extent of water damage and mold contamination. • Plan and implement remediation activities. • Establish containment and protection for workers and occupants. • Dry any wet materials, if possible. • Decontaminate or remove damaged materials.

16. Is It Damaged Goods? • In general, non-porous/non-absorbent surfaces such as hard woods, plastics and metal can be cleaned and disinfected. • Other items such as carpet, mattresses and upholstered furniture that have absorbed moisture should be discarded.

17. Supplies Needed • Gloves • 3 Buckets (one for bleach water, one for detergent & the other for rinse water) • Scrub Brush • Mop and broom • N-95 Respirator mask • Rags and sponges • Wet-Dry Shop Vacuum • Trash bags • 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water • Detergent/ soap (Non-ammonia detergent phenolic or pine-oil based) www.loyolaecomm.org

18. Procedure for Mold Removal • Prepare first bucket of hot water and detergent mixture according to package directions. • Prepare second bucket of hot water. • Prepare third bucket with a mix of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. • Use first bucket: wash & scrub item/surface with a stiff brush and the detergent mixture. • Use second bucket of hot water to rinse item/surface. • Then use the third bucket to wash the item with the bleach mixture. • Dry the item, or leave it to dry.

19. Additional Safety Guidelines for Mold Clean-up • Never mix bleach with ammonia. Mixing bleach and ammonia can produce dangerous, toxic fumes. • Open windows and doors to provide fresh air. • Wear non-porous gloves andprotective eye wear.

20. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings for additional information. • Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. • You can get it free at your local Health Department or by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-4318, or by going to the EPA web site at http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html .

21. Ensuring that Remediation or Clean-up is Finished • Water or moisture problem has been fixed completely. • Mold removal has been completed when there are no signs of visible mold or moldy odors. • Revisiting the site after clean up should show no signs of water damage or mold growth. • Occupants should have no complaints or physical symptoms linked to mold or mold spores.

22. Hand Washing • Hand washing is the single most important thing that you can do to protect your health when you clean up mold. • Always be sure to wash hands after touching surfaces or objects that may have been in contact with mold, flood water or sewage and before you eat or drink anything.

23. Prevention Using Environmental Controls • Keep indoor humidity below 60%, use a dehumidifier if necessary. • Clean & repair roof gutters regularly. • Make sure water does NOT collect around the foundation of the house or building. • Clean up water leaks or spills within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. • Properly vent moisture producing appliances.

24. How Did That Mold Get Here? • A leaky roof, too much humidity, a leaky bath tub drain? • Ensure proper maintenance on homes and buildings • And remember….. www.epa.gov

25. Moisture Control is the Key to MOLD Control

26. Additional Information • American Red Cross • Repairing Your Flooded Home & What To Do After a Flood or Flash Flood -http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_570_,00.html • Centers for Disease Control • Clean Up Safely After a Natural Disaster • http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup.asp • Facts About Mold and Dampness -http://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm • Environmental Protection Agency • Flood Cleanup - Avoiding Indoor Air Quality Problems • http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/flood.html

27. Additional Information • A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.html • Federal Emergency Management Agency After a Flood: The First Steps http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazards/fststpbr.pdf • Dealing With Mold and Mildew in Your Flood Damaged Home http://www.fema.gov/pdf/rrr/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf • Occupational Safety and Health Administration Mold Fact Sheet http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/mold_fact. pdf • Flood Cleanup Fact Sheethttp://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/floodcleanu p.pdf • Fungi Hazards and Flood Cleanuphttp://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/Bulletin3.pdf