New Mold Resource - Guidance for Health Professionals
A new mold resource, entitled: Guidance for Clinicians on the Recognition and Management of Health Effects Related to Mold Exposure and Moisture Indoors, published by the Center for Indoor
Environments and Health at University of Connecticut Health Center with support from a grant by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is
available for free from
http://oehc.uchc.edu/clinser/indoor.htm
Molds produce tiny spores to reproduce. Mold
spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores
land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they
are growing on in order to survive. There are molds that can grow on wood,
paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water
accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture
problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to
eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control
indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
The key to mold control is moisture control. It
is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent
mold growth. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of
the excess water or moisture. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash
mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent
materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become moldy may have to be
replaced.
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For basic information and resources on mold, go to our Mold Resources page.
This page contains an introduction to molds; basic mold cleanup; ten things you should know about mold; asthma and mold; floods/flooding; health and mold;
homes and mold; indoor air regulations and mold; large buildings and mold; schools and mold and indoor air quality; and other mold-related resources and links.
You can also read:
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This Guide provides information and guidance for
homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to
prevent mold growth. Molds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and
furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems
by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth.
[EPA
402-K-02-003]
Available in HTML and
PDF formats.
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Una Breve Guía para el Moho, la Humedad y su Hogar
está disponible en el formato PDF (moldguide_sp.pdf
- 796KB file). Documento de la agencia EPA número 402-K-03-008.
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This document presents guidelines for the
remediation/cleanup of mold and moisture problems in schools and
commercial buildings; these guidelines include measures designed to
protect the health of building occupants and remediators. It has been
designed primarily for building managers, custodians, and others who are
responsible for commercial building and school maintenance. It should
serve as a reference for potential mold and moisture remediators. Using
this document, individuals with little or no experience with mold
remediation should be able to make a reasonable judgment as to whether
the situation can be handled in-house. It will help those in charge of
maintenance to evaluate an in-house remediation plan or a remediation
plan submitted by an outside contractor. Contractors
and other professionals who respond to mold and moisture situations in
commercial buildings and schools may also want to refer to these
guidelines.
[EPA 402-K-01-001, March 2001]
Available in HTML and
PDF
formats.
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Order these and any Indoor Air Quality publication from
IAQ INFO and EPA's
NSCEP. Use the EPA Document
Number (highlighted in bold above) when ordering.
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