Mold Remediation Guide for the General Public

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Mold Remediation Guide for the General Public
www.bincorenvironmental.com
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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.

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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
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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.omnitecdesign.com
www.disaster-solutions.com
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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.

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

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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
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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
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Protect Yourself

• Protect yourself during assessment as well as
  clean-up.
• PPEPersonal 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.

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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
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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.

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Clean Up

• If the mold area is less than 10 square feet..

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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 and protective eye wear.

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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
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Moisture Control is the Key to MOLD Control
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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

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Additional Information

• A Brief Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home
• http//www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/moldguide.htm
  l
• 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_bro
  chure_english.pdf
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Mold Fact Sheet http//www.osha.gov/OshDoc/d
  ata_Hurricane_Facts/mold_fact. pdf
• Flood Cleanup Fact Sheet http//www.osha.gov/OshD
  oc/data_Hurricane_Facts/floodcleanu p.pdf
• Fungi Hazards and Flood Cleanup
  http//www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurricane_Facts/B
  ulletin3.pdf