Ian Update 55: Mold-contaminated items
Posted On: October 12, 2022
The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County urges residents in flooded areas to follow safety guidelines to protect their health while cleaning up water damaged homes and businesses.
“It is important for residents to be mindful of how to deal with mold-contaminated items while cleaning up their homes,” said Environmental Health Administrator Robert Maglievaz. “Mold contaminated items could possibly cause infections or trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.”
Mold-contaminated items should be dried and cleaned properly before returning them back into the living environment.
The DOH-Volusia recommends the following safety guidelines to salvage mold-contaminated items:
- Mold will eventually destroy the item it is growing on. Mold should be removed as soon as possible.
- Consider hiring a water damage restoration or mold remediation specialist if you have a number of water damaged items you wish to save or mold contamination in excess of 100 square feet.
- If your salvageable items are wet but you do not see mold, the guidelines in Table 1 are recommended.
- If you see mold growing on salvageable items, the guidelines in Table 2 are recommended.
- Whenever handling potentially contaminated items, use an N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles. Those with mold-related allergies or asthma or are immune compromised should not handle potentially contaminated items.
- If you develop health symptoms you suspect may be related to a salvaged item in your home, see your physician immediately and have a non-impacted family member take the item out of the living area.
For more information about indoor air quality and mold growth, call the Florida Department of Health-Volusia at 386-274-0694 or the Florida Department of Health's Indoor Air Toxics Hotline at 850-245-4288. You may also visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s indoor air quality webpage at http://www.epa.gov/mold/
Table 1: Salvaging items with no visible mold growth
|
Water-damaged material |
Actions |
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Books and papers |
|
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Clothing |
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Carpet and backing - dry within 24 to 48 hours |
|
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Ceiling tiles |
|
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Cellulose and Fiberglass insulation |
|
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Concrete or cinder block surfaces |
|
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Hard surface, porous flooring (Linoleum, ceramic tile, vinyl) |
|
|
Non-porous, hard surfaces |
|
|
Upholstered furniture |
|
|
Window drapes |
|
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Wood surfaces |
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Table 2: Salvaging items with mold growth caused by rainwater
|
Material or furnishing affected |
Clean-up method |
|
Books and paper |
Once the item or material is dried, use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum to remove mold from surfaces. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag. Dispose of items where mold cannot be removed in sealed bag and dispose as normal waste. Consult a water damage or restoration specialist for items with high sentimental or monetary value.
|
|
Clothing |
Wash clothes per manufacturer’s instructions or have professionally cleaned. If the mold stain or odor does not come out of clothing, dispose. |
|
Carpet and carpet padding (less than 10 square feet) |
Once the item or material is dried, use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum to remove mold from surfaces. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag. Dispose of items where mold cannot be removed in sealed bag and dispose as normal waste.
|
|
Carpet and carpet padding (between 10 and 100 square feet)
OR
Carpet and padding (less than 10 safe where storm-related odors cannot be eliminated)
|
Contain item in sealed plastic, remove from building in a well-sealed plastic bag and dispose as normal waste. After removal, HEPA vacuum the dried surface area that item covered. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag. |
|
Concrete or cinder block |
The material should be HEPA vacuumed after it is dried. If vacuuming cannot remove the mold, further cleaning with soap and water followed by drying and then re-vacuuming is recommended. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag.
|
|
Ceramic tile, vinyl, linoleum |
Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or water-detergent solution until visible mold is removed. Allow surface to dry and then HEPA vacuum. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag.
|
|
Wood and laminate floors |
Follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning. If no recommendations are available, use a wood cleaner. Scrub as needed until visible growth is removed. Allow surface to dry and then HEPA vacuum surface. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag.
|
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Non-porous (wood, plastic and metal) furniture |
Plastic and metal: Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or water-detergent solution until visible mold is removed. Allow surface to dry and then HEPA vacuum surface. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag.
Method 5 for wood furniture: Follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning. If no recommendations are available, use a wood cleaner. Scrub as needed until visible growth is removed. Allow surface to dry and then HEPA vacuum surface. Dispose of vacuumed debris as normal waste in a well-sealed plastic bag.
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Upholstered furniture and drapes
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Consult professional water damage restoration professional. Place damaged materials in sealed plastic bag and discard as normal waste if item cannot be cleaned.
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Wallboard (drywall, plaster) |
Place damaged materials in sealed plastic bag and remove.
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These guidelines were developed from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency document, "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings
