Damp conditions provide a prime location for mold

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By JARED ORZOLEK

orzolek@crescent-news.com

The heavy rainstorms which have burst through northwest Ohio over the last few weeks have led to reports of flooded basements in Napoleon, Liberty Center, Wauseon and other communities.

These damp conditions provide a prime location for the development of mold -- fungi that can develop indoors or outdoors in warm, damp and humid conditions -- potentially causing health problems for humans.

"Exposure to mold can cause a variety of symptoms. Sensitive people who have touched or inhaled mold or mold spores may have allergic reactions such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, skin rash and itching," said Jon Lindsay, director of environmental health at the Henry County Health Department. "Molds can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to molds, causing wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

"People who know they have been exposed to mold and have symptoms that persist should consult their physician for possible treatment and testing," he recommended.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), if mold is growing in the home, individuals need to take steps to both clean up the fungi and fix the moisture problem.

Mold growth can be removed from hard surfaces with commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than one cup of bleach per one gallon of water.

The CDC reports that mold growth, which can often appear like spots, may be many different colors and can smell musty.

The CDC does not recommend or perform routine sampling for molds as all types of molds should be treated and removed.

"Some molds can be worse than others, but generally, any type of mold in your house needs to be taken care of," said Ron Clinger, sanitarian at the Defiance County Health Department.

Clinger said mold can grow when moisture comes into contact with paper-based products, such as cardboard or drywall paper.

"If it's a small patch of mold, you can clean it. If it's in the whole wall you will need to get rid of the wall," Clinger said.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports mold will not typically grow -- even when water spills, leaks or floods indoors -- if wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens.

According to the CDC, there are a variety of mold prevention tips individuals can follow to prevent potentially harmful fungi from building up in the home.

These include:

-- Keep the humidity level in the home at 40-60 percent. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months and in damp spaces, like basements.

-- Be sure the home has enough ventilation. Use exhaust fans which vent outside the home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside the home.

-- Fix any leaks in the roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.

-- Clean up and dry out your home thoroughly and quickly after flooding.

-- Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting.

-- Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.

-- Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried promptly. Consider not using carpet in rooms or areas like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.