Immediately after the storm, a race begins to clear roads, collect debris, restore power, and deliver food and water. But he has only a short time, one day, to prevent mold from growing in the house before the occupant of that house is at risk of invasive mold disease (IMD).
Katherine Allen, a family and consumer science agent at the University of Florida Extension Office in Suwanee County, said don’t waste time testing your home for mold after the storm.
“If you can see it, if you can smell it, you have it,” Allen said.
If water damage to your home is minimal and the cleanup process can begin immediately, Allen recommends by letting the area dry, usually by treating it with a fan and a cleaning agent. However, after most storms, especially when flooding occurs, residents are usually unable or do not have the electricity to act immediately. There is a possibility.
Unfortunately, Allen says anything that gets wet longer than 24 hours should be discarded and replaced. Official recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control say it takes a little longer, and anything that stays wet for more than 48 hours is considered mold-infested and should be replaced. This includes furniture, insulation and drywall as well as personal and household items.
It’s hard to tell if mold is completely removed when it’s obviously moldy.
“That’s the big problem,” says Allen.
Allen urges people to think of floods as an opportunity to “build better” so they don’t harm their homes or their health in the future.
Submitted
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Special to WGCU Public Media
It’s important not to ignore mold growth in your home. If left untreated, mold can cause long-term health problems such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, which can get worse over time. People with asthma and allergies are especially sensitive to mold. According to the CDC, some studies have found that young children can develop asthma when exposed to mold. In one study published in 2022, CDC researchers found that “IMD-related mortality may exceed 50%, depending on the pathogen and patient involved.”
The health risks of mold are well understood, but the scale is unknown. The 2022 study concluded that more data collection is needed to better understand IMD and its trends. A spokesperson for the CDC’s Office of Communications said the CDC does not have monitoring data on mold growth in homes after hurricanes and other disasters. The CDC found an increase in mold infestations following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, but the study is currently under review in the journal.
The CDC urges caution if you choose to clean your own home. A guidebook published by the CDC recommends wearing eye protection, a respirator over your mouth and nose, and thick gloves to cover your skin. Children and people with compromised immune systems should not participate in the cleanup process.
If you choose to hire a mold restoration professional instead, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), or the Institute of Accreditation and Certification (ACAC).
If you suspect mold is infesting your home, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to mold during repairs. Create separate sleeping areas and use tarpaulins and plastic sheets to seal areas of the house with mildew. Do not spread mold. Take off your shoes when you go to different parts of the house. Always shower and wash your hair before going to bed and change your clothes if you are in the affected area. Do not turn on your HVAC system until the inspection is complete, as it can spread mold throughout your home.
CDC recommends that if you think your health may be affected by mold, see your doctor as soon as possible. Depending on the content, we may be able to handle allergology, infectious diseases, respiratory medicine, industrial medicine, etc. Mold-related infections can be hard to spot, but they are serious nonetheless.
“It all depends on your potential condition and your exposure,” Allen said.
Copyright 2022 Storm Center.
