GALVESTON, TEXAS – As Ike’s floodwaters retreat, many of Galveston’s residents can’t wait to get home. However, they could have an unwelcome visitor inhabiting their houses when they get there.
Water-logged buildings will likely be full of mold.
Hurricane Katrina showed us that a lot of the damage done to your home is actually done by mold. Mold is a spore that is always present in our environment: water (whether flood waters or excess condensation) give mold what it needs to grow. And grow it does, especially with the combination of lots of water and warm temperatures.
Mold spores are a significant irritant for those who have asthma. These same spores are also a common and serious allergen. You don’t develop a mold allergy without exposure: so, if you aren’t allergic to mold now, an intense exposure could leave you with a mold allergy afterwards.
If that weren’t enough, mold is toxic (even if you aren’t allergic) and can result in the demolition of a property in order to eradicate it. Fortunately, mold can often be removed without such drastic measures.
People returning home after Ike can avoid mistakes made by Louisiana residents after Katrina. The first thing to remember is if you have mold in any part of your home, you have mold spores throughout your home. Until the mold infestation is removed, you should find other accommodation. This will help you to avoid developing a new mold allergy or irritating an existing asthma or allergic condition.
If the mold removal job is big, homeowners should be prepared to hire a professional.
When you first return to your home, air it out as soon as possible! Getting dry air into the home can help to reduce the ongoing spread of mold. Remember to wear the proper breathing protection when you enter your home.
If you are going to clean up some of the mold yourself, always wear masks and gloves. Keep in mind that mold is toxic and you need to do everything you can to reduce your exposure.
For more information on mold and how to cope with it, check out the CDC website.
Source: ABC News
