ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

AUBURN, JULY 9---With heavy rainfall throughout much of the state, health authorities warn Alabamians they may be at greater risk of exposure to toxic molds.

"When moisture levels rise above 50 percent relative humidity, people can count on larger numbers of molds and other biological contaminants," says Dr. Jesse LaPrade, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System environmental specialist. "The high-humidity conditions that follow flooding provide ideal conditions for molds."

Although most of these molds are harmless, a few may pose health risks. Stachybotris Atra, which has been linked with the deaths of several infants in the Midwest, has been found in Alabama. Although there have been no confirmed deaths in the state associated with this mold, epidemiologists at the Alabama Department of Public Health have received numerous reports of symptoms commonly associated with exposure to the mold including sunburn-like rashes and flu-like symptoms. All of these reports have originated in South Alabama.

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises pediatricians in flooded areas to be on the lookout for signs of exposure to Stachybotris Atra among infants being treated for respiratory illnesses. In such cases, pediatricians treating infants for respiratory bleeding, are advised to ask about mold and moisture in the home. Respiratory bleeding is a sign of exposure to the mold.

Experts have found several strains of Aspergillus molds, two of which, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, produce afflatoxin, one of the most potent carcinogens known to science.

"Airborne spores from these molds may be found in homes with high moisture content," LaPrade says. "The molds may pose a threat to older people with weakened immune systems, but for most people they're just a nuisance, mainly because of their odor."

Removing the molds is easy. "The least expensive method is to use a 10 percent chlorine bleach solution on infected areas," LaPrade says. "Using a hand-held sprayer, apply a fine mist and then wipe it off with a towel."

LaPrade says this method is recommended only if the molds have not penetrated deeply into the affected material. If the mold has turned dark brown or black, the material should be discarded, he says.

If the interior of the home is undergoing restoration, LaPrade recommends installing exhaust fans that are vented to the outdoors in kitchens and bathrooms. Fans help eliminate moisture buildup and are effective in reducing molds that form as a result of hot water from showers and dishwashers.

As a further precaution, LaPrade recommends equipping basements with dehumidifiers. When temperature and humidity increase in the summertime, basements often have problems with mold. When humidity exceeds 50 percent, turn on the dehumidifier and let it run two or three days. It will pump most of the water from the air, resulting in about 40 to 45 percent relative humidity. If humidity is kept below 50 percent, most molds will be suppressed, LaPrade says.

It's also a good idea to ventilate the attic and crawlspaces to prevent moisture buildup, LaPrade says.

To learn more about how to remove mold in the home, Laprade recommends the following websites:

The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health http://www.cdc.gov/niosh and especially this page: <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/11110257.html>.
 

SOURCE: DR.JESSE LAPRADE, Extension environmental specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-5533.