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Home , Fireplace, Indoor mold, Mold

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Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet in My : What Do I Do?

This fact sheet provides information to people who have experienced water damage to their home and presents the health concerns related to mold exposure. It also provides general guidelines on mold detection, cleanup & removal of mold contaminated materials

ABOUTU MOLD HEALTHU EFFECTS Can mold become a problem in What is it? my home? How am I exposed to indoor are simple, microscopic Yes, if there is moisture available to molds? , found virtually everywhere, allow mold to thrive and multiply. The Mold is found everywhere, indoors and indoors and outdoors. Molds can be following are sources of indoor moisture outdoors. It is common to find mold found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and that may cause problems: in the air of and growing on other organic material. Molds are needed ! flooding damp surfaces. Much of the mold found for breaking down dead material. Mold ! backed-up sewers indoors comes from outdoor sources. spores are very tiny and lightweight, and ! leaky roofs Therefore, everyone is exposed to some this allows them to travel through the air. ! mold on a daily basis without evident Mold growths can often be seen in the ! mud or ice dams harm. Mold spores primarily cause health form of discoloration, ranging from white ! damp or crawl spaces problems when they enter the air and are to orange and from green to brown and ! constant leaks inhaled in large numbers. People can also black. When molds are present in large ! plants -- watering can generate be exposed to mold through contact quantities, they can cause allergic large amounts of moisture and eating. symptoms similar to those caused by ! steam from plant pollen. ! shower/bath steam and leaks How much mold can make me ! wet clothes on indoor drying lines sick? Should I be concerned about ! clothes dryers vented indoors ! appliances (e.g. stoves) It depends. For some people, a relatively mold in my home? small number of mold spores can cause Yes, if the contamination is extensive. not exhausted to the outdoors health problems. For other people, it may When airborne mold spores are present in take many more. The basic rule is, if you large numbers, they can cause allergic CAUTION: can see or smell it, take steps to eliminate reactions, episodes, , If you see moisture on the the excess moisture, and to cleanup and and other respiratory problems for people. or , it is also possible that remove the mold. Exposure to high levels can cause you have a combustion problem in your home. It is important to have sufficient the development of an allergy to the Who is at greater risk when mold. Mold can also cause structural fresh air available for burning damage to your home. Similarly, when appliances, such as the , water exposed to mold? goes through a period of wetting, heater, stove/range, clothes dryer, as well Exposure to mold is not healthy for then drying, it can eventually warp and as a . A shortage of air for these anyone inside . It is important to cause walls to crack or become appliances can result in back drafting of quickly identify and correct any moisture structurally weak. dangerous such as carbon sources before health problems develop. monoxide into the home. To prevent back The following individuals appear to be at drafting of air, you need either open vents higher risk for adverse health effects of What does mold need to grow? molds: For mold to grow, it needs: or a ventilation system that brings fresh air into the home to replace air that is ! Infants and children ! food sources - such as leaves, wood, ! elderly paper, or dirt exhausted out. Have your local utility company or a professional heating ! immune compromised patients (people ! a source of moisture with HIV , cancer ! a place to grow contractor inspect your fuel-burning appliances annually. chemotherapy, liver disease, etc.)

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DETECTIONU OF MOLD GENERALU CLEAN-UP … PROCEDURESU

! pregnant women How can I tell if I have mold in ! Identify and correct the moisture ! individuals with existing respiratory my house? source conditions, such as allergies, multiple If you can see mold, or if there is an ! Clean, disinfect, and dry the moldy chemical sensitivity, and asthma. earthy or musty odor, you can assume area you have a mold problem. Allergic ! Bag and dispose any material that has People with these special concerns individuals may experience the symptoms moldy residues, such as rags, paper, should consult a physician if they are listed above. Look for previous water leaves, or debris. having health problems. damage. Visible mold growth is found underneath What can I save? What should I What symptoms are common? materials where water has damaged toss? Allergic reactions may be the most surfaces, or behind walls. Look for Substances that are porous and can common health problem of mold discoloration and leaching from plaster. trap molds, such as paper, rags, carpet, exposure. Typical symptoms reported wallboard, and rotten wood should be (alone or in combination) include: Should I test my home for mold? decontaminated and thrown out. ! respiratory problems, such as Harder materials such as , plastic, or wheezing, and difficulty in breathing The Arizona Department of Health Services does not recommend testing as metal can be kept after they are cleaned ! nasal and sinus congestion and disinfected. ! eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry the first step to determine if you have a mold problem. Reliable sampling for Ultimately, it is critical to remove the vision, light sensitivity source of moisture first, before beginning ! dry, hacking mold can be expensive, and requires equipment not available to the general remedial action, since mold growth will ! sore throat return shortly if an affected area becomes ! nose and throat public. Residents of individual private homes must pay a contractor to carry out re-wetted. ! shortness of breath ! skin irritation such sampling, as it is not done by public ! central nervous system problems health agencies. Mold cleanup is usually Removal of Moldy Materials (constant , memory considered one of the housekeeping tasks After fixing the moisture source and problems, and mood changes) of the private citizen, along with and removing excess moisture, the cleanup ! aches and pains plumbing repairs, sweeping and house can begin: ! possible fever cleaning. ! Wear gloves when handling moldy Another problem is that there are few materials available standards for judging what an ! Remove porous materials (examples: Are some molds more hazardous acceptable quantity of mold is. In all , sheetrock, carpeting, than others? locations, there are some outdoor levels wood products) Allergic persons vary in their sensitivities of molds. If sampling is carried out, an ! Carpeting can be a difficult problem -- to mold, both as to amount and type outdoor air sample needs to be taken at drying does not remove the dead needed to cause reactions. In addition, the same time as the sample indoors, to spores. If there is heavy mold, disposal certain types of molds can produce toxins, provide a baseline measurement. Since of the carpet should be considered called , that the mold uses to the susceptibility of individuals varies so ! Bag and discard the moldy substances inhibit or prevent the growth of other greatly, sampling is at best a general ! Allow the area to dry 2 or 3 days organisms. Mycotoxins are found in both guide. The simplest approach is: if you ! If flooded, remove all sheetrock to at living and dead mold spores. can see or smell mold, you have a least 12 inches above the high water Materials permeated with mold need to problem. Once you know the problem mark. Visually inspect the interior be removed, even after they are exists, follow the procedure given next. and remove any other intrusive molds. disinfected with cleaning solutions. Unless the source of moisture is (This step may have to be carried out Allergic and toxic effects can remain in removed and the contaminated area is by a licensed contractor). dead spores. Exposure to mycotoxins may cleaned and disinfected, mold growth is present a greater than that of likely to recur. allergenic or irritative molds. Mycotoxins CAUTION: Spores are easily have been found in homes, agricultural released when moldy material is dried settings, food, and office buildings. out.

______Arizona Department of Health Services / Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet Mold in My Home: What Do I Do? G:\GROUPS\OEH\INV&SURV\IAQ\moldfact.wpd

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Soap… Cleanup CAUTION: Bleach fumes can Can Air Systems become Before disinfecting contaminated areas, irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and Contaminated with Mold? clean the areas to remove as much of the damage clothing and shoes. Make sure Yes. Air duct systems can become mold (and food it is growing on) as the working area is ventilated well. contaminated with mold. Duct systems possible. can be constructed of bare , ! Wear gloves when doing this cleanup Can cleaning up mold be sheet metal with an exterior fibrous glass ! Use a non-ammonia soap or detergent, hazardous to my health? insulation, sheet metal with an internal or a commercial cleaner, in hot water, fibrous glass liner, or made entirely of and scrub the entire area affected by Yes. Exposure to mold can occur during the cleaning stage. Mold counts are fibrous glass. If your home’s air duct the mold system has had water damage, first ! Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on typically 10 to 1000 times higher than background levels during the cleaning of identify the type of air duct construction block walls or uneven surfaces that you have. Bare sheet metal systems, ! Rinse clean with water. A wet/dry mold damaged materials. Take steps to protect your health during cleanup: or sheet metal with exterior fibrous glass vacuum is handy for this. insulation, can be cleaned and disinfected. ! Seal off the moldy material from the other areas. If your system has sheet metal with an Disinfecting Surfaces ! When handling or cleaning moldy internal fibrous glass liner, or are made ! Wear gloves when using materials, consider using a mask or entirely of fibrous glass, the ductwork ! After thorough cleaning and rinsing, to protect you from breathing normally will need to be removed and disinfect the area with a solution of airborne spores. discarded. Ductwork in difficult locations household bleach and water. may have to be abandoned. If you have ! The CDC recommends using no more can be purchased from other questions, contact an air duct than 1 cup of bleach per gallon of hardware stores; select one for cleaning professional or licensed water. Using bleach straight from the removal (sometimes referred to as a N95 contractor. bottle will not be more effective or TC-21C particulate respirator). ! Never mix bleach with Ammonia or Respirators are not as effective removing After I’ve cleaned everything as other cleaners -the fumes are toxic bleach fumes, so minimize your exposure thoroughly as possible, can I still ! For spraying exterior large areas, a when using bleach or other disinfectants. have mold odors? garden hose and nozzle can be used ! Wear protective clothing that is easily ! If the area to be cleaned is more than Yes. It is possible that odors may persist. cleaned or discarded Continue to dry out the area and search 10 square feet, consult the U.S. ! Wear Environmental Protection Agency for any hidden areas of mold. If the area ! Use rubber gloves continues to smell musty, you may have (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation ! Try cleaning a small test patch of mold in Schools and Commercial Buildings. to re-clean the area again (follow the first. If you feel that this adversely cleaning steps given in this sheet). Although focused on schools and affected your health, you should commercial buildings, this document Continue to dry and ventilate the area. consider paying a licensed contractor Don’t replace flooring or begin rebuilding also applies to other types. or professional to carry out the work You can get it by going to the EPA until the area has dried completely. ! Ask family members or bystanders to web site at leave areas when being cleaned. http://www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html How can further damage to my ! Avoid excessive amounts of runoff or ! Work over short time spans and rest in a fresh air location. home be prevented? standing bleach Check regularly for the following: ! Let disinfecting areas dry naturally ! Air your house out well during and after the work ! moisture condensation on windows overnight -- this extended time is ! cracking of plasterboard important to kill all the mold. ! drywall tape loosening ! EPA and OSHA do not recommend the CAUTION: Never use a gasoline ! wood warping use of bleach when cleaning up mold, engine indoors (e.g. pressure washer, ! musty odor except as needed for immuno- generator) -- you could expose yourself If you see any of the above, seek out and compromised individuals. They and your family to . take steps to eliminate the source of water recommend using only a detergent and penetration, as quickly as possible. water solution in most circumstances (EPA: http://iaq.custhelp.com/cgi-H bin/iaq.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3044 OSHA:

http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.htmlH )

______Arizona Department of Health Services / Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet Mold in My Home: What Do I Do? G:\GROUPS\OEH\INV&SURV\IAQ\moldfact.wpd

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Can Ozone air cleaners help remove , or reduce odor or pollution levels? Some air cleaners are designed to produce ozone. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent used as a in water and sometimes to eliminate odors. However, ozone is a known irritant. Symptoms associated with exposure include cough, , and eye, nose, and . Ozone generators have been shown to generate indoor levels above the safe limit. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that ozone is not effective in controlling molds and Office of fungi, even at high concentrations far 150 N 18th Avenue, Suite 140 above safe health levels. Also, ozone may Phoenix, Arizona 85007 damage materials in the home. For these reasons, the Arizona Department of (602) 364 - 3118 Health Services strongly recommends For inside Arizona calls only that you do not use an ozone air (800) 367 – 6412 cleaner in any occupied residential

USEFUL PUBLICATIONS Clean-up Procedures for Mold in REFERRALS TO . Available from Canada Mortgage OCCUPATIONAL & Biological Pollutants in Your Home, & Housing Corp. 800-668-2642. Effective, hands-on information for ENVIRONMENTAL CLINICS 1990. Available from local ALA or U.S. EPA’s IAQINFO. Concise booklet aimed affected homeowner. American College of Occupational & at concerned or affected homeowner Environmental Medicine. NIOSH Warns of of Cleanup Work. National Institute of 847-818-1800; Mold, Moisture & Indoor Air Quality: A http://www.acoem.org. Guide to Designers, Builders, and Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Building Owners, 1994. Available from Update. Aimed at flood emergency Corp. 617-323-6552. workers. 800-356-4674. FOR FURTHER HELP OR INFORMATION: Moisture, Mold and in Building Factsheet on atra Air Quality (Appendix C), 1991. (chartarum). CDHS Environmental American Red Cross Available from U.S. EPA’s IAQINFO. Health Investigations Branch, April 1997. Tel: 602-336-6660 or call local chapter Illustrative and useful resource guide. Summarizes information on S.A. and American Red Cross Western area includes NYC recommendations for Headquarters: 602-728-9663 Repairing Your Flooded Home. evaluating and remediating microbial Available from American Red Cross and contamination. U.S. EPA’s IAQ Information FEMA offices. Excellent resource with Clearinghouse (IAQ INFO) details on technical & logistical issues. Tel: 800-438-4318 or 202-484-1307 Phone assistance (9 am to 5 pm, EST) http://www.epa.gov/iaq/

This INFO SHEET includes materials provided through the courtesy of the Minnesota and California Department of Health Indoor Air Program

______Arizona Department of Health Services / Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet Mold in My Home: What Do I Do? G:\GROUPS\OEH\INV&SURV\IAQ\moldfact.wpd