With the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina sparking a media frenzy and the new hurricane season upon is, a discussion of the health risks associated with the aftermath of flooding in homes is imperative. Cleaning up after flooding is a daunting task, and if not carried out correctly could endanger your health. Mold spores can germinate and grow in moist or damp environments and a home that has been flooded provides ideal conditions for the growth and proliferation of mold if not addressed properly. Allergic responses and triggering of asthma attacks are the most common health problems associated with inhalation and contact with mold. Even people who are not allergic can suffer from respiratory and dermatologic conditions. Mycotoxins produced and released by mold can have further deleterious effects on health, affecting nearly every system in the body. Peculiar symptoms can arise from mold exposure and should be addressed immediately by a health care professional.
Contrary to most beliefs, testing is not necessarily the best way to find out if you have a mold problem. Using your own sense of smell and visual inspection will alert you that a mold problem exists. That musty smell many people notice in their basements, and after a flood, should be assumed to be the existence of mold. Certainly any visible mold growth (may appear cottony, velvety, granular, or leathery and have varied colors of white, gray, brown, black, yellow, green or may appear as discoloration, staining, or fuzzy growth on the surface of building materials or furnishings) is a positive indicator. Clearing your home of mold is a huge undertaking and should probably be conducted under the supervision of an environmental specialist. For more information on cleaning up mold, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/mold/
Posted by Dr. Jennifer Stagg on September 3, 2006 04:40 PM
