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This document is also available as a PDF. SUN HERALD
RAINS COULD PRODUCE MOLD Wednesday, October 7, 1998
Section: LOCAL-FRONT
Page: A2 MEREDITH HARTLEY
SPECIAL TO THE SUN HERALD Illustration: Info box: Mold Facts Caption: Mold facts: Stachybotrys (stak-e-bo-trus) atra is a deadly form of mold that causes
bleeding of the lungs. The bleeding is caused by toxins released from the mold that weaken blood
vessels in the lungs of infants. This condition is further irritated by exposure to
cigarette smoke. Those with developing lungs, children and infants, are the most susceptible to
the mold. Symptoms of toxic exposure are coughing up blood and frequent
nosebleeds in infants. Detection and removal: Stachybotrys can grow in homes where there has been water damage from
flooding, plumbing or roof leaks. It thrives in the water-soaked fibers of
building materials such as drywall, insulation, gypsum board and ceiling tile.
The fungus is greenish-black in color and is slimy. If discovered, clean the area with a solution of one cup of bleach and one
gallon of water and ventilate. While cleaning, wear a dust mask, goggles and rubber gloves to avoid contact
with the skin. After disinfecting and cleaning, dry surfaces quickly using fans, dehumidifiers
or natural ventilation. 1 of 3 7/25/99 11:44 PM NewsLibrary Document Delivery http://newslibrary.krmediastream.com/cgi...cument/nl1_auth?DBLIST=bx98&DOCNUM=23130 Anyone who participated in cleanup should shower thoroughly when done. It's black, slimy and potentially lethal and it could be growing in your home. The Stachybotrys atra mold is able to find a foothold in water-damaged homes
or businesses that have left a wet, dank environment, and a public health
official warns it is a deadly tenant.
"Mold in general can cause problems for people with allergies, but this
particular one is dangerous for infants," cautioned Joe Fahner with the
Mississippi State Department of Public Health. "Pulmonary hemorrhaging can
occur with infants who are exposed to it." Fahner, a surveillance specialist who collects data on hazardous substances,
saw his first and only specimen of the mold six months ago on the wall of a
Clinton business that was damaged by rain water. No health problems were reported by the owner or employees, but the threat
of this fungus is not only for children. It can create havoc for adults as well. "I had a persistent hacking cough to the point that it was almost like
bronchitis. I generally don't get that even during the flu season," said Jamie
Munson, 24, of Grand Forks, N.D., who became exposed to Stachybotrys
when her parents' basement flooded this past spring. "After they cleaned up and closed up the basement, I haven't had any
symptoms since. Personally, I feel that it was related to the mold." The effects on adults are not as serious as those on babies. Most people who
come into harmful contact with the fungus experience flu-like symptoms or
develop rashes. Two years ago, 30 children in Cleveland, Ohio, became vulnerable to the mold
after a massive rainstorm flooded much of the area. Nine children died before
doctors discovered a link between their exposure to the mold and to cigarette
smoke. Research is ongoing, but an investigation by the Center for Disease Control
and Prevention suggests toxins from the indoor mold irritate the lining of
infants' lungs, weakening developing blood vessels. This eventually leads to
bleeding of the lungs. Tobacco smoke in the environment further increases an
infant's risk of pulmonary hemorrhage, the report said. Homes along the Coast that experienced flooding or water damage as a result
of Hurricane Georges are at risk of developing the fungus if precautions are
not taken, Fahner said. However, the threat of exposure can be greatly
reduced with fast action, he added. "If people react quickly and dry things out, it has less of a chance to grow than 2 of 3 7/25/99 11:44 PM NewsLibrary Document Delivery http://newslibrary.krmediastream.com/cgi...cument/nl1_auth?DBLIST=bx98&DOCNUM=23130 if they wait around to clean up," he said. "I would advise them to dry the
house out as quickly as possible. Any items that can't be dried out should be
disposed of." The fungus thrives on water-soaked cellulose fibers in building materials such
as insulation, dry wall, gypsum and ceiling tile. Roy Burst, the owner of Building Inspection Services of Metairie, La., has
seen his share of flood damage and mold that has made its home on materials
that were not dried sufficiently. He said if homes have more than 2 inches of water in the house, it's a sure bet
that water made its way inside the wall cavity. If the wall has insulation, the
cure will be costly. The only way to ensure that mold will not grow inside the wall is to remove
the drywall and replace the insulation, Burst said. Those walls without
insulation can be cleaned then allowed to dry, which can take anywhere from
two weeks to three months depending on the type of materials inside the
house. Burst said of the two evils, a house flooded with saltwater would fare much
better than one soaked in freshwater. "You don't get the bacteria with saltwater that you do with freshwater," he
explained. "The best thing in the world is to be flooded with saltwater . . . if
you had to be flooded." Meredith Hartley is a reporter from the
Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Ga. All content © 1998 SUN HERALD and may not be republished without permission. All archives are stored on a SAVE (tm) newspaper library system from MediaStream Inc., a
Knight-Ridder Inc. company. 3 of 3 7/25/99 11:44 PM |
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