AIHA Offers Mold Resources for Homeowners

Water is not the only danger of flooding. The mold that may occur after water has receded can be far more hazardous to the homeowner and family.

  • Jul 15, 2011

The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) strongly encourages homeowners who face flooding issues as a result of extreme weather conditions to obtain a home inspection for mold. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has already named 2011 to be one of the most extreme weather disaster years, estimating more than $32 billion in damages.

Extreme wet weather has caused flooding throughout the Midwest and Atlantic states and parts of western Canada, leaving homeowners to salvage their belongings and begin the cleanup process.

Water is not the only danger of flooding. The mold that may occur after water has receded can be far more hazardous to the homeowner and family. The molds that grow on damp building materials are found in the soil and are adapted to grow on a wide variety of materials. Outdoors, molds live in soil, on plants, and on dead or decaying matter. Different mold species are adapted to different moisture conditions from very wet to just damp. The CDC, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, the World Health Organization, and Health Canada all agree that living or working in a building with mold results in increased risk of respiratory disease among other effects.

People who may be affected more severely and quickly than others include:

  • Infants and children
  • Elderly people
  • Pregnant women
  • Individuals with respiratory conditions or allergies and asthma
  • Persons with weakened immune systems

A professional experienced in mold evaluation and remediation, such as an industrial hygienist, can address extensive mold growth in a building. It is important to address and correct large mold problems as soon as possible by first fixing the source of the moisture problem and removing contaminated materials, then cleaning the surfaces, and finally drying the area completely.

For more information on mold remediation and resources on hiring remediation professionals, visit AIHA.org.

Product Showcase

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

    SKC NoiseCHEK is the easiest-to-use dosimeter available! Designed specifically for OEHS professionals, SKC NoiseCHEK offers the easiest operation and accurate noise measurements. Everything you need is right in your palm. Pair Bluetooth models to your mobile devices and monitor workers remotely with the SmartWave dB app without interrupting workflow. Careful design features like a locking windscreen, sturdy clip, large front-lit display, bright status LEDs, and more make NoiseCHEK the top choice in noise dosimeters. Demo NoiseCHEK at AIHA Connect Booth 1003. Read More

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence