Responding to Indoor Mold Concerns: A Resource for Environmental Public Health Professionals
Appendix G: Key Messages and Discussion Points
Key Messages 1. Control moisture to prevent mold. Mold growth indoors is almost always caused by excess moisture. Prevent mold by quickly identifying and fixing leaks, improving ventilation, and keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50%. 2. Clean up mold safely and quickly. When mold appears, clean hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry wet materials within 24–48 hr. Discard porous items that stay wet. If the water or moisture source is suspected to contain fecal contamination, hazardous chemicals, or other contaminants, affected materials should be discarded. Wear protective gear, including an N95 respirator, long gloves, and non-vented goggles. Consider contacting a qualified remediation professional when mold covers an area of more than 10 ft². 3. Protect your health. Mold can trigger allergies, asthma, and irritation, especially in sensitive individuals or individuals with weakened immune systems. Routine mold testing is not always needed. If you see mold, clean it up right away. Discussion Points • Our environmental public health agency/program provides consultation to homeowners and building managers for controlling moisture and prevention, as well as cleanup of indoor mold. • Mold growth indoors is almost always linked to excess moisture. The key to preventing mold growth is controlling and eliminating moisture as quickly as possible. • It’s essential to identify the sources of moisture in homes or buildings where mold growth is identified or suspected. Common moisture sources include roof or plumbing leaks, malfunctioning ventilation or HVAC systems, or flooding and water intrusion from storms or extreme weather events.
• These are some actions we recommend for controlling moisture in homes: 1) Identifying and repairing leaks or structural problems promptly, 2) Maintaining good ventilation and keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50%, and 3) Using fans, dehumidifiers, and making sure appliances vent to the outdoors. • When cleaning up mold, we recommend washing hard surfaces with detergent and water. If needed, you might consider using disinfectants and referring to the label for guidelines on their use. If materials get wet, dry them within 24–48 hr. Porous items, such as carpet or upholstered furniture that stay wet, might need to be discarded. If the water or moisture source is suspected to contain fecal contamination, hazardous chemicals, or other contaminants, affected materials should be discarded. • During cleanup, it’s important to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE). We recommend wearing an N95 respirator, long gloves, and non-vented goggles. • Cleaning up large areas of mold growth can be difficult and lead to more potential for exposure to mold and possibly cleaning products. If mold covers more than 10 ft², the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) suggests contacting a qualified remediation contractor for professional cleanup. • The primary health effects of concern associated with indoor mold include allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma. Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing, sneezing, and a runny nose, are frequently reported as well. Other nonspecific symptoms can include headache and dizziness. Typically, these symptoms improve when the individual leaves the damp environment. • Routine mold testing is not generally recommended because any visible mold should be cleaned up right away, regardless of the type. • Contact our office for additional guidance. Additionally, our website provides more information on mold prevention, cleanup, and links to additional resources.
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