Floods Cause a Hazardous Potential for Toxic Mold

According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), mold growth in water-damaged homes is a potential hazard caused by flooding and can be a serious health risk.

Molds are simple microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, such as plants, food, dry leaves, organic material, etc. Dampness in basements, walls, carpets, and wood caused by flooding provides an excellent environment for molds to flourish.

For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can cause health problems. Infants, children, immune-compromised patients, pregnant women, individuals with existing respiratory conditions (allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma), and the elderly are at higher risks for adverse health effects from mold. Allergic reactions are the most common health problem from mold exposure. Typical symptoms, alone or in combination, include:

• Respiratory problems - wheezing or difficulty in breathing
• Nasal and sinus congestion
• Eye irritation - burning, watering, reddening, light sensitivity, and blurred vision
• Dry, hacking cough
• Sore throat
• Nose and throat irritation
• Shortness of breath
• Skin irritation
• Central nervous system problems - constant headache, memory problems, and mood changes
• Aches and pains
• Possible fever

When an individual or family returns to their home after a flood, it is important to thoroughly clean all areas of the house. Mold can be detected if there is an earthy or musty odor, or there may be visible growth. Visible signs are discoloration on walls, carpets, furniture, and wood. Mold growths can have a variety of appearances, ranging in color from white, orange, green, brown, or black.

Before beginning clean-up work on a flood-damaged home, make sure the electricity is turned off. Unplug appliances and lamps, and remove light bulbs from their sockets. Also, remove the cover plates from wall switches and outlets that were water-damaged. If local building code allows, disconnect the wiring from the switches and outlets and throw the damaged units out. Otherwise, pull the electrical units away from the wall while leaving them connected. Have an electrician replace them with new units after the house has been thoroughly cleaned and dried.

The following steps should be taken before moving back into the home:

1. Remove as much mud as possible. Hose down the interior of the house including walls, floors, furniture, sockets, electrical boxes, and other major items that received water- and mud-damage. Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent in hot water, or use a commercial cleaner to scrub the entire area affected by mold. A stiff brush or cleaning pad works well on block walls or uneven surfaces. Rinse clean with water. A wet/dry vacuum is handy for this process.
2. Remove heating and cooling registers and ducts and hose them off. Wash them with a disinfectant that is quaternary, phenolic, or pine-oil based. Rinse clean with water. If ducts are inaccessible, have them cleaned professionally.
3. Try cleaning a small test patch of mold first. If you feel that this has adversely affected your health, you should consider paying a licensed contractor or professional to carry out the work.
4. Wear gloves when handling moldy materials.
5. Use caution when removing moldy materials, as spores are easily released when moldy material is dried out. Consider wearing a mask or respirator. Respirators can be purchased from local hardware stores. Select one classified for particle removal, sometimes referred to as a N95 or TC-21C particulate respirator. Respirators are not as effective at removing bleach fumes, so minimize your exposure when using bleach or other disinfectants.
6. Disinfect and dry areas affected by mold. It is critical to remove any source of moisture before any clean-up efforts. Mold growth will return if the area becomes wet again.
7. Bag and dispose any material that has moldy residues, such as rags, paper, leaves, or debris. Hard materials such as glass, plastic, or metal can be kept after they are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
8. After thorough cleaning and rinsing, disinfect the area with a solution of 10 percent household bleach (e.g., 1 1/2 cup bleach per gallon of water). Never mix bleach with ammonia - the fumes are toxic. Avoid excessive amounts of runoff or standing bleach. Make sure the working area is well ventilated.
9. When using bleach or other disinfectants, work for short time spans, taking periodic breaks in an area with fresh air.
10. Make sure the house is well ventilated during and after the clean-up work.

The following items should be removed and replaced if they have water damage:

1. Porous materials such as ceiling tiles, plasterboard, carpeting, and wood products
2. Heavily-molded carpet - (Drying does not remove all of the dead spores.)
3. Remove all plasterboard to at least 12 inches above the high-water mark.
4. Visually inspect the wall interior and remove any other intrusive molds. (This step may have to be carried out by a licensed contractor.)

Some final advice: Never use a gasoline engine indoors - you could endanger yourself and your family with exposure to carbon monoxide.

If mold odors persist, continue to dry out the area and search for any hidden areas of mold. You may have to re-clean some areas. Do not replace flooring or begin rebuilding until the area has dried completely.

Content Provided by FEMA