In the News
Posted October, 2011
Health/Safety/Risk Management advises districts regarding post-flooding hazards
After the floodwaters receded, the Capital Region BOCES Health/Safety/Risk Management Service helped address another concern of schools that sustained heavy water damage: mold.
Risk Management staff advised schools to follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidelines for clean up following a flood. the first step is to remove the source of water and then eliminate materials that have gotten wet or are porous.
“We advised school staff that the best way to minimize the potential for mold and future indoor air quality issues is to dry and clean all non-porous surfaces,” said Health/Safety/Risk Management Program Manager Kristin Bucciferro. “Still many porous items—paper, fabric furniture, drywall—should be removed or thrown away.”
The EPA recommends the following:
Remove
and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as,
mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture,
books, wall coverings, and paper products).
Remove
and discard porous materials, such as wallpaper, drywall and
insulation that is contaminated or has been damp for more than 48
hours.
Clean
all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and
metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing
fixtures) thoroughly with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.
Open
windows and doors to help the drying-out process, weather
permitting.
Use
fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture. Fans should be
placed at a window or door to blow the air outwards to prevent the
spread of mold.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold grows year-round and can be found anywhere that levels of humidity and moisture are high. Indoors, or example, mold can be found in basements, kitchens, bathrooms and on ceilings and wall interiors where water from leaky pipes, roofs or windows has accumulated.
The CDC emphasizes that most molds pose no threat to humans. The CDC does caution, however, that certain molds can produce hay fever-like allergic symptoms, especially for those sensitive to it. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold.
Other resources (PDFs):
EPA
Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
(pdf)
EPA
Guide to Mold in Your Home (pdf)
Other resources (websites):
NYS
Department of Health (mold)
EPA
web page (mold)
CDC
(mold)
NYS
Department of Health (flood)
FEMA
(flood)
CDC
(mold)
