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Cleaning Mold in Your Home
· Clean the area using a general-purpose detergent
in hot water. Follow the instruction label.
· Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on SOME FACTS ABOUT
uneven surfaces or difficult to clean areas.
· Rinse the area with clean water.
Additional Online Resources
· Allow the area to dry completely before
repainting or repairing.
· Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles, Rhode Island Department of Health
Mold
drywall and sheetrock, carpet, and www.health.ri.gov/environment/risk/mold.php
upholstered furniture may need to be thrown
out if they become moldy. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
· Mold may hide behind walls, above ceilings, Prevention (CDC)
or in other inaccessible areas. Clean up may
www.cdc.gov/mold/
require their removal to find the mold.
Professional services may be required to
identify hidden moisture and mold growth. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mold Information
www.epa.gov/mold/index.html
What precautions should I take while Indoor Air Quality Information
cleaning up mold? www.epa.gov/iaq/index.html
There are several ways you can protect yourself
while cleaning up the mold. American Lung Association
· Shut off forced hot air heating systems, air www.lungusa.org
conditioning, and fans to prevent mold
spores from being spread around the home.
· Wear rubber gloves.
· For larger areas or if you are sensitive to
mold you should wear an N-95 type respirator,
available from most home supply stores. For more information on mold
Anyone with a chronic respiratory illness, such as call the HEALTH Information Line What is Mold?
asthma or emphysema, or anyone with a weak 1.800.942.7434
immune system should not clean up mold. Molds are living organisms that help to
break down dead organic materials. It is
found everywhere: indoors, on many
Toxic Mold surfaces, and outdoors, on plants, leaves
and in the soil. Mold spores travel through
There are some molds, such as Stachybotrys and air. Once mold lands on a surface, it can
Aspergillus, which under certain conditions can grow as long as there is the right mix of
produce toxins called mycotoxins. Although the moisture and food. Mold growth can look
health effects to mold exposure are normally like spots, in many different colors, and can
allergic symptoms, exposure to mycotoxins can smell musty.
cause more serious illness. Since all molds can Healthy Homes and
cause health symptoms, all molds should be Environment Team
handled with caution during removal.
What does mold need to grow? What are the common health effects Should I test my home for mold?
· a food source such as leaves, paper, from exposure to mold? If you can see or smell mold, it is present
wood or other organic material You are exposed to some mold every day, and must be cleaned up. You also need to fix
· a source of moisture usually by touching, eating, or breathing it. the problem causing the mold to prevent it
· a suitable environment from growing again. There are no standards
Exposure to mold and mold spores can
Many surfaces in your home can provide for mold tests, and some level of mold is
trigger allergic reactions such as watery eyes,
nutrients to help mold grow, including wall always present, therefore it is not
runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing,
coverings, floors, carpets, clothing, and recommended that testing be done.
wheezing, headache, and fatigue. Mold
furniture.
affects everyone differently. Some are more
sensitive to molds than others, such as:
Reducing moisture is key to controlling My basement has flooded. What should
· infants and children
mold. Mold will not grow without it. · the elderly I do?
· people with weak immune systems such Immediately correct the cause of the
as those with HIV infection, cancer, or
Mold is an indicator that there is who are in chemotherapy flooding and dry the area thoroughly within
excess moisture in your home. · people with chronic respiratory illnesses 24 to 48 hours. If carpets, clothing, paper,
What causes excess moisture? or respiratory conditions such as and other absorbent materials cannot be
allergies and asthma completely dried, it is best to throw them
· flooding out. For insurance purposes, you should take
· damp basement or crawl space
Anyone with a chronic respiratory illness or
· leaky roof a weak immune system should not clean up photographs of all the damaged
· leaky plumbing mold. property. Other non-absorbent items should
· humidifiers be cleaned and dried.
· clothes dryer vented indoors
Should I be concerned about mold in If the flooding was caused by sewage or
my home? other contaminated water, you should call in
How do I control mold in my home? a professional who has experience in it. Ask
Indoor air quality is also negatively affected
· Keep the humidity level between your homeowner insurance company for a
by mold. It can increase asthma events and
40% and 60%. Dehumidifiers may be recommendation.
chronic exposure to mold can increase a
needed in areas, such as the basement.
· Fix leaks in the roof, walls, windows, person’s sensitivity resulting in more severe
or pipes. allergic reactions. Mold Cleaning Guidelines
· Ventilate bathrooms, kitchens, and
laundry areas. It is important to make sure that the source
· Vent clothes dryer to the outside. of moisture is eliminated before the mold is
· Use mold-resistant paint. cleaned up. If this is not done, the mold will
· Dry areas that are wet or have been grow again. If the area of mold growth is
flooded within 24 to 48 hours. Throw larger than 10 ft2 (3 ft x 3 ft), it is
out anything that cannot be recommended that a contractor with
completely dried. experience in mold remediation does the
clean up. If the area is less than 10 ft2 , in
most cases, you can do the job yourself.
For more information on mold call the HEALTH Information Line 1.800.942.7434
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