![]() ![]() Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely.Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible.It may not be possible to clean an item so that its original appearance is restored. Please note that mold may cause staining and cosmetic damage. Professional cleaners or remediators may use methods not covered in this publication. The tips and techniques presented in this section will help you clean up your mold problem. If you have health concerns, consult a health professional before starting cleanup.If the water and/or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, then call in a professional who has experience cleaning and fixing buildings damaged by contaminated water.Do not run the HVAC system if you know or suspect that it is contaminated with mold - it could spread mold throughout the building. If you suspect that the heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold (it is part of an identified moisture problem, for instance, or there is mold near the intake to the system), consult EPA's guide Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? before taking further action.Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings, the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygenists (ACGIH), or other guidelines from professional or government organizations. If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold.Although focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is applicable to other building types. If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.patch), in most cases, you can handle the job yourself, follow the guidelines. If the moldy area is less than about 10 square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. One consideration is the size of the mold problem. Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the mold problem will come back. If there is mold growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. You may also wish to consult your state or local health department. For more detailed information consult a health professional. This provides a brief overview it does not describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. ![]() Research on mold and health effects is ongoing. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people. Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growthĪllergic reactions to mold are common. Molds gradually destroy the things they grow on. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). ![]() Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds come in many colors both white and black molds are shown here.Molds are part of the natural environment. ![]()
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