Molds are microscopic organisms found everywhere in
the environment, indoors and outdoors. Most molds are harmless but some can cause infections, allergy symptoms and produce toxins. Inhalation is the exposure of most concern to cleanup workers.
- Health Effects of Mold Exposure
- Runny nose • Eye irritation • Cough/congestion • Sneezing • Skin rash • Aggravation of asthma
- People at Greatest Risk of Health Effects
- Individuals with: a weakened immune system,allergies, sinusitis, or asthma and other lung diseases.
- How to Recognize Mold
- Sight–Usually appear as green or brown residue.
- Smell–Oftenproduceafoul,musty,earthysmell.
- General Mold Cleanup Recommendations
- Identify moisture problems and remove excess moisture with a wet-dry vacuum and dry out the building as quickly as possible.
- Clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
- Discard all water/mold
- damagedmaterials;discard
- mold damaged materials in plastic bags; discard all
- porous items that have been wet more than 48 hours.
- Disinfect surfaces with1/2 cuphouse hold bleach in
- 1 gallon of water. CAUTION: Do not mix bleach with
- cleaning products that contain ammonia.
- Use hand and eye protection(non-ventedgoggles).
- Wear protective clothing to prevent contamination.
- Re-wetmaterialswithamistofwatertosuppress
- spores, dust, and debris.
- Vacuumareasthatarecleananddrywitha
- HEPA vacuum.
- Do not eat, drink ,or smoke in work areas; avoid
- breathing dusts; after working, wash thoroughly, including hair, scalp and nails.
For more information, contact our offices at Diversified Safety Services.
