Extreme Dangers of Mold After Flooding

Super storm Sandy has left buildings and boardwalks ravaged, subways and streets flooded and hundreds of thousands of people throughout the northeast evacuated from their homes due to flood dangers. But once the water has gone down and you are able to return to your homes, those who have experienced flooding in their residences should be aware of another potential health danger – toxic mold, mildew, and bacteria!

Mold’s ideal growth environment is a flooded home, since it’s moist inside and there’s “organic” material (such as ceiling tile or carpet padding made from natural fibers), which allows for the germination of mold spores.

The EPA pointed states:

During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mold can begin to grow within 48 hours from when flooding first occurs.

The health risks come from actually breathing in these mold spores, which can provoke negative symptoms in people, the Mayo Clinic reported.

Breathing in mold can lead to symptoms including sinus infections and congestion, coughing and breathing problems, and irritation of the eyes or skin, the New York State Department of Health reported. And the Environmental Protection Agency reported that people who already have lung disease may also be in danger of developing in the lungs.

The New York State Department of Health also reported that people who are immune-compromised — like those undergoing chemotherapy treatments or people with HIV/AIDS — may also be particularly at risk for negative health effects from mold.

Mold may also provoke asthma symptoms in people with the respiratory condition, according to a 2004 report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

“We were able to find sufficient evidence that certain respiratory problems, including symptoms in asthmatics who are sensitive to mold, are associated with exposure to mold and damp conditions,” Noreen Clark, dean of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor’s School of Public Health, who was the chair of the committee that wrote the report, said in a statement.

“Even though the available evidence does not link mold or other factors associated with building moisture to all the serious health problems that some attribute to them, excessive indoor dampness is a widespread problem that warrants action at the local, state, and national levels,” Clark added in the statement.

If you’re looking for evidence of mold in your home, it usually manifests as a slimy or furry patch of growth that may also smell kind of musty, the New York State Department of Health reported. To remove the mold, first make sure to get rid of the source of moisture — if there’s still leaking or puddling, make sure to get the water out. Then, throw away the item that the mold is growing on (like the carpeting or ceiling tile), and make sure all things that are wet are dried completely.

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Clear Pro Antimicrobial Solutions, in response to the devastating tragedy of Hurricane Sandy, has initiated an Emergency Response Protocol to Disinfect & Antimicrobially protect homes and businesses from dangerous pathogens!  Mold, mildew, and bacteria are beginning to colonize and spread throughout your home or business and Clear Pro is here to protect you and your family!  Please contact a Clear Pro Representative for an online price quote @   855-4-NO-GERM Here is a great explanation of the dangers of mold!  Please contact us with any questions.