Tackling dampness, mould and mildew

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

With everyone still working hard to clean up, the problem of mould or mildew may seem minor in comparison to other damage but as time goes on if mildew and mould are not addressed then residents could be in for some serious future health problems. As a result the Department of Environmental Health has issued some sound advice on how to deal with the problem now rather than later.

Mould can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood. Large quantities of mould growth may cause odours, damage furnishings and finishes, and cause health problems for some people.

Mould belongs to the fungi group of organisms that grow in warm and humid conditions. It consists of thousands of species and is mostly detected by a musty odour. It produces spores that spread through the air and form new colonies or areas of mould growth

It gets in the house from outdoor sources and needs moisture to grow and with the current level of water damage and dampness mould is finding plenty of places in all our homes to flourish.

Some moulds produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. In rare cases, high or chronic airborne exposures have been associated with illnesses. Most people have no reactions when exposed to mould but some have allergic reactions, similar to common pollen or animal allergies. Flu-like symptoms and skin rashes are not unknown and mould can also aggravate asthma, but most symptoms are temporary and go away when the mould does.

Infants, the elderly, pregnant women, people with respiratory conditions, allergies, or asthma and weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable to the adverse affects of mould.

Lowering the humidity with air conditioners and dehumidifiers will lessen the likelihood of mould growth. Keeping areas as clean and dry as possible is very important in controlling it and materials that have been water-damaged should either by dried out and cleaned or replaced. Materials that stay wet for more than 48 hours are likely to produce mould growth. As a general rule, materials that are wet and cannot be thoroughly cleaned or dried should be discarded.

When cleaning up mould people should wear gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask, to protect against breathing airborne spores. The cleanup process involves thorough washing and disinfecting of walls, floors, closets, shelves, and contents. In most cases, common household cleaning products and disinfectants are used for this task. It is important to try and have plenty of ventilation and to be careful about mixing household cleaners together.

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