North Dakota State Health Department Cautions Residents About The Dangers Of Mold
In conjunction with Home Indoor Air Quality Month, the North Dakota
Department of Health is cautioning residents about the dangers of mold in homes and other
buildings. Concerns about mold growth should be addressed quickly in order to prevent illness,
according to State Health Officer Terry Dwelle, M.D.
Governor John Hoeven has proclaimed October 2008 as Home Indoor Air Quality Month to
encourage North Dakotans to learn more about indoor air quality issues.
There are many reasons homes develop mold problems. New and remodeled homes have been
built tighter and may lack adequate ventilation, causing moisture buildup. Other problems in
homes happen due to lack of proper maintenance, such as leaky roofs, poor landscaping, gutters
that direct water into or under the building, plumbing leaks and condensation caused by
inoperable exhaust fans.
People vary in their susceptibility to mold, but almost anyone who breathes enough mold spores
can develop an adverse reaction. When airborne mold spores are present in large numbers, they
can trigger allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems. In
addition, exposure can cause the development of an allergy to mold, resulting in long-term health
problems.
"People who have asthma or lung problems and those who are allergic to mold are especially
vulnerable to mold-related illness," Dwelle said. "It is very important to clean and disinfect the
areas infested with mold and to remove the source of the moisture so mold doesn’t grow again."
Wet building materials provide an ideal environment for mold growth. Mold can infiltrate sheet
rock, carpeting and insulation. These materials generally should be discarded if they become
saturated. Structural building elements, such as wood, usually can be salvaged with appropriate
cleaning and disinfecting of the mold-impacted areas.
Once non-salvageable materials are removed, the source of the moisture must be removed or
mold growth will recur. This may involve caulking or sealing doors or windows, repairing
leaking roofs, installing sump pumps in basements, redirecting surface water away from the
outside of a building or ensuring adequate ventilation to prevent condensation.
If you can see or smell mold, a mold problem likely exists. Mold typically has a musty or earthy
odor. Follow these Department of Health recommendations to clean, disinfect and dry the moldy
area:
– Use non-ammonia soap or detergent and hot water, or a commercial cleaner.
– Thoroughly scrub all contaminated surfaces with liberal amounts of the soap or detergent.
(Use a stiff brush to clean cement or brick walls.)
– Rinse all surfaces with clean water. A wet-dry vacuum may be used to collect extra
water.
– After cleaning, apply a disinfectant solution of household bleach to the surface (two cups
of bleach per gallon of water). Apply the solution with a garden sprayer or spray bottle,
or wipe it on with a sponge or rag. Be sure to wet the studs, wall cavities and floors
thoroughly.
– Generic lexapro pills no prescription Allow the bleach solution to dry naturally for six to eight hours. Do not remove or dry the
bleach solution too quickly because extended contact is important to kill the mold.
– Never mix bleach with ammonia because the fumes are toxic. Wear eye protection and
rubber gloves when working with bleach, and ventilate the area well by opening doors
and windows. Use respiratory protection when working around moldy areas.
Anyone who has questions about the cleanup of a mold-damaged home can contact their local
public health unit.
North Dakota Department of Health
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