However, when spores are present in large enough numbers they can cause health effects such as: watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache and fatigue.You won’t need an expert to interpret our report. Mold spores are common both indoors and outdoors. A doctor can determine if symptoms are allergy-related. If you think that you or anyone in your household is suffering from a mold-related illness, contact a health care provider. What should I do if I think someone in my family is sick from mold? If you rent, consider discussing clean-up options with your landlord and, if necessary, your rights as a tenant with the Community Alliance of Tenants. Additional cleaning tips are provided in A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that experienced professionals clean mold problems larger than 10 square feet. Remember, never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia-based cleaning products because they form a dangerous gas.Ībsorbent materials such as clothing, moldy ceiling tiles and sheet rock may need to be replaced. If you choose to use bleach, follow all label instructions, paying special attention to the precautionary statements and dilution rate. Review Home Moisture Problems (pdf) by the Oregon State University Extension Service.Īfter fixing a moisture problem, remove mold from hard surfaces by washing with soap and water and letting all washed surfaces dry completely.If you rent, consider taking pictures of moisture problems and documenting the situation with your landlord. Inspect and repair leaks in roofs, gutters, foundations and plumbing.Install double-pane windows or insulation to keep moisture from collecting on cold surfaces.Remove carpeting in areas where there is ongoing moisture (from cooking, sinks, bathtubs and showers).Increase air circulation by moving furniture several inches away from the walls.Inspect and repair your ventilation system.Use exhaust fans to pull indoor moisture (from cooking, dishwashing, showering and laundering) outside.Use air conditioners and/or dehumidifiers to reduce moisture in the air.Keep indoor humidity at 30 to 60 percent.If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and fix the water problem. The key to mold control is moisture control.What should I do if I have moldy conditions in my home? Typically if you can see mold or smell musty odors, you have a mold problem.Ĭan the government inspect my home for mold?Ĭounty and state public health departments do not have resources for inspecting private homes or testing for mold. Therefore, testing cannot tell you if the amount of mold detected will harm your health. There are no standards to judge "safe" levels of indoor mold. Generally it is not helpful to test for mold in your home. Should I test for mold or have mold samples from my home tested? Using hot water without venting the steam to outdoor air.Īlso, when indoor air is warmer than outdoor air, moisture can collect on cold surfaces like singlepane windows, uninsulated walls, pipes and roofs.Some household situations that lead to mold growth include: In indoor environments, molds can cause structural damage because they consume and destroy the material they settle upon. In nature molds break down dead and decaying material. Molds are fungi that grow in different shapes, sizes and colors. Other License and Certificate Related Topics.
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