RESOURCES HOW TO GET RID OF MOLD
Protect yourself when cleaning mold. Wear long sleeves and pants, shoes, socks, gloves and goggles. Throw away carpet, mattresses, wall board, ceiling tile, insulation, cardboard boxes that have been wet more than 2 days. Clean hard surfaces with a mix of laundry detergent or dish soap and water. May have to scrub with brush. Rinse area with clean water and dry quickly. Chlorine bleach will kill mold growing on surfaces but not mold spores in air. If using bleach follow these steps: 1. Scrub the surface with water and detergent. 2. Water down bleach 1 cup of bleach to 10 cups of water. 3. Spray or sponge bleach on moldy area and leave on for 15 min. then rinse and dry quickly. 4. Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or acids because it produces a deadly gas. 3101 Burnet Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 Centers for Disease Control, Healthy Homes www.cdc.gov/healthyhomes/ U.S. Housing & Urban Development www.hud.gov/healthyhomes Ohio Department of Health www.odh.ohio.gov/ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov
MOLD
To schedule a Healthy Homes Assessment, call: 513 564 1751 3845 William P. Dooley By-Pass Cincinnati, Ohio 45223
For more Information, visit:
www.cincinnati-oh.gov www.weknowhealthmatters.org cincihealthdept CincinnatiHealthDepartment
DOES YOUR HOME HAVE MOLD?
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Can you see mold growing anywhere? Is there a musty, moldy or damp odor? Is there mildew growing on any towels or clothes? Are there any changes of color on floors and walls that can not be wiped off? Has there been a flood in your home? Does your roof or basement have a leak? Is there moisture on walls, ceilings or around windows?
CAN MOLD CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS?
Molds have the potential to cause health problems. However, mold does not affect everyone and people are affected differently when mold is breathed in or inhaled. People who are allergic to mold may get watery eyes, a runny or stuffed nose, itching, headaches and difficulty breathing. Mold may trigger asthma attacks. Molds produce allergens (substances that cause an allergic reaction), irritants and in some cases potentially toxic substances. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold.
WHERE CAN MOLD BE FOUND?
Mold is almost everywhere. Mold grows best in warm, damp, humid conditions. Mold needs moisture to grow. Mold can grow on walls, ceilings, carpets, clothes, or furniture. Mold may be hidden under carpet or behind walls.
HOW CAN I PREVENT MOLD?
Repair all leaky plumbing and leaks in roof, walls, doors and windows. When showering, open a window or run a fan vented outside. Make sure the dryer is vented outside. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to dry damp areas. Make sure gutters are clean and working. In problem areas increase air flow; open closet doors, periodically move furniture away from outside walls.
WHAT IS MOLD?
Mold is a living organism and a natural part of the environment. Mold forms tiny particles that float in the air. Mold is often black or gray in color but may also be white, green or orange.
