Health Officials Offer Safety Tips about Mold after Hurricane Irene

(Salisbury, Md.) – Delmarva residents who have flooded homes as a result of Hurricane Irene may also find themselves facing the growth of mold.

Health officials from the Wicomico County Health Department caution that the health effects from mold can be severe for those with pre-existing health conditions such as allergies and asthma.

Knowing a little about mold may help survivors safely recover from the flooding that followed Hurricane Irene. Some commonly asked questions are the following:

Q. Where are mold spores found?

A. Mold spores are everywhere. Mold thrives in continuously wet conditions and can start to grow within 24 hours after a flood.

Q. What problems can mold spores cause?

A. Mold spores can cause allergy symptoms, headaches, bronchitis, asthma attacks, lung irritation and skin rashes. People with asthma or other pulmonary illnesses, compromised immune systems, infants and the elderly are more likely to develop mold-related illnesses. 

Q. What can people do to control mold in and around the home, especially after a flood?

A. Local health officials offer the following suggestions to control mold:

• Flooded homes should be thoroughly dried out, a process that may take several days or weeks.
• Wet carpet and padding should be removed and discarded.
• Porous materials – those that absorb water – such as sheetrock, some paneling, fiberglass insulation, cellulose insulation, mattresses, pillows, wallpaper and upholstered furniture should be discarded.
• Sheetrock and other porous wallboards should be removed to at least 12 inches above the water line. Check for wicking, the upward movement of moisture to higher levels.
• Clean wall studs where wallboard has been removed and allow them to dry completely.
• Floors, concrete or brick walls, countertops, plastic, glass and other non-porous materials should be washed with soap and water and then with a solution of one to two cups of bleach to a gallon of water and allowed to completely dry.
• Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using bleach and make sure area is well ventilated. Don't mix bleach and ammonia. Consider using an N-95 rated dust mask if heavy concentrations of mold are already growing.
• Materials that cannot be effectively cleaned and dried should be placed in sealed plastic bags to prevent the spread of mold spores.
• People allergic to mold and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions should not do mold cleanup.

Q. What do people need to know about professional assistance with mold problems?

A. If large areas of mold growth are present, professional clean up assistance may be needed. People and companies conducting inspections for mold or offering mold remediation services in the area are required to be licensed by the state Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. 

Q. Where can people get more information?

A. More information about mold and cleaning up after floods can be found online at: www.epa.gov/mold/flood.

Or you may call your local health department.

Local Health Department Contact Information

• Somerset: 443-523-1700
• Wicomico: 410-546-4446
• Worcester: 443-736-6302